Pennsylvania (Berks county) .45cal flintlock target rifle

This rifle is cracked at the wrist and needs lock work. It will not stay at full cock.

Flintlock target rifles from Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the 1840s represent a fascinating chapter in American gunsmithing history. Berks County (centered around Reading, PA) was a hub for Pennsylvania German (Deutsch) gunsmiths during the early 19th century. These craftsmen, often of Swiss or German descent, were renowned for producing highly accurate, long-barreled rifles optimized for target shooting, hunting, and occasionally militia use. By the 1840s, flintlock mechanisms were still common despite the growing popularity of percussion caps, especially among traditionalist makers in rural Pennsylvania.

These rifles were not mass-produced but handcrafted in small workshops, featuring intricate engraving, curly maple stocks, and swamped (tapered) barrels for superior balance and accuracy. They embodied the "Golden Age" of the American longrifle, influenced by European traditions but adapted for frontier needs.

Key Characteristics

Based on historical records and surviving examples (e.g., from the Smithsonian Institution and private collections like the Cody Firearms Museum):

Feature

Description

Barrel

Typically 32–42 inches long, .40–.50 caliber, octagonal with swamped profile. Made from wrought iron or early steel, rifled with 6–8 lands/grooves for spin stabilization.

Lock

Flintlock mechanism with S-shaped hammer (cock) striking flint to ignite priming powder in the pan. Often banana-shaped locks for reliability in wet conditions.

Stock

Full-length curly or tiger maple, often darkened with oil finish. Checkered forearm and wrist for grip; brass or silver inlays (e.g., thumbplates, sideplates).

Sights

Buckhorn rear sight, silver blade front sight. Some had adjustable peep sights for target work.

Mounts

Brass buttplate, trigger guard, and ramrod pipes. Patchbox on the right side for storing cleaning supplies.

Engraving

Floral motifs, eagles, or patriotic symbols (common in 1840s)

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