AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: backsplash75 on May 06, 2020, 05:40:00 PM
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This rifle was in the Smithsonian's "Price of Freedom" exhibit over a decade ago, and the photography is limited (Smithsonian database has only one), I am pretty sure it was published elsewhere, does anyone have better images?
(https://i.ibb.co/J5L4D8r/1979-0516.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
American Long Rifle
Date: about 1760
Catalog #: 1979.0516.01 Accession #: 1979.0516
Credit: Division of Military History and Diplomacy, National Museum of American History
Dimensions / Weight
Dimensions: 8" H x 60" W x 2.5" D
Physical Description
American long rifle, .54 caliber with wooden patchbox.
Specific History
This early example of the American long rifle reflects its Germanic origins. It has a wooden patchbox for storing patches to load and clean with; a flared muzzle and thick shoulder stock which are like that of the German Jaeger rifle.
(https://i.ibb.co/F8db2gp/smithsoniandisplay600.png) (https://ibb.co/2cp7xgJ)
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I can't get the pics to open up larger, for some reason. Isn't that the "tulip rifle?"
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Looks like rifle 110 in Rifles of Colonial America volume 2. I’m basing that on guard shape and architecture.
Some think 110 may be Scandinavian. It’s stocked in birch. It’s a smooth rifle. Carving is crude and the cheekpiece is round.
Just read Eric’s reply. Could be the tulip rifle.
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The lock looks different than the Tulip rifle's lock with the filed line on the tail. Looks REALLY close to RCA 110 and has a similar OAL, but the Smithsonian object info for the gun says .54 and RCA110 is listed as .51", of course one of those might be a typo.
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Oh yeah, I think you're right - it's 110. I think I was merging that one and the tulip rifle together in my mind because quite a number of folks think both of them may be Scandinavian. It's an interesting hypothesis, and very possibly accurate.
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thanks for the input fellas! :)
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Hi,
Another interesting note about the Smithsonian display is the matchlock gun in the case (the "Newtown gun") is a 20th century fake.
dave
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Hi,
Another interesting note about the Smithsonian display is the matchlock gun in the case (the "Newtown gun") is a 20th century fake.
dave
One can get in a good bit of trouble pointing out such things in certain crowds. That isn't the only funky inscribed/branded gun is suspicious at that institution. :o
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And speaking of the Smithsonian, it is surprising how few Kentucky Rifles they have when compared with all of the other weapon types. I had an opportunity a number of years ago to go 'inside' for a tour and had expected to see some spectacular things, but the best I saw was Koons Maryland rifle which had a brass sun shield on the barrel. I think that the powder horn collection they have may be a different story.
Dick