Hello Jim, Well, I can tell you a lot of the story of your "family gun." If I remember correctly your dad was a professor at Texas State Univ. I believe he taught something relating to agriculture. He contacted me with questions about restoring the family rifle. Inaddition to the restoration he wanted a copy of the rifle made as he wanted to hunt deer with it. He mailed the original to my shop here in Emporium, PA, and I stabalized the break and replaced some missing wood. Mike Brooks is correct I replaced the hammer and the pan etc. and returned it to flintlock. Your dad believed that the gun had been used early in the Revolution at the siege of Boston. I gave him information on Thompson's Riflemen which was one of the (9) rifle companys that PA provided for the Revolution. Thompson's Riflemen were from the Western PA (Pittsburg area) and participated in the siege at Boston. Your dad was going to research that avenue. After restoring the original I did build a bench copy of the gun. Just prior to finishing the bench copy, I received information that your dad had a stroke, and was paralized on his left side. He would not be able to hunt with the bench copy I was completing. I assured the caller that there was no need for them to purchase the copy. We made arrangements and I returned the original to your family. I still have the bench copy and find it a really nice rifle and I love telling the history of the gun as I know it.
I still have the original photos and specs of the gun as sent to me by your father. He was nice gentleman and a joy to talk to and discuss the possible history of your gun. This is the information that gives a gun a soul and your family gun certainly has a soul. P.S. I have photos of the copy if you are ever interested.
Sincerely Ron Luckenbill
www.ReCreatingHistory.com