Nice simple early longrifle

[rich pierce]

I cannot remember where I got these pictures from on November 10, 2025. Does anyone recognize them?  It sure looks like a gun used “hard” in America. I’m guessing it was built in Europe. I’m basing that on a hunch about the tang carving. What’s your guess?
I think this is a great basis for an early 1750-1770 rifle used here.

[Tanselman]

This one's easy... obviously an early Schroyer from the small volutes on either side of the cheekpiece!

Shelby Gallien

[blienemann]

Hi Rich, I agree it looks early. The stepped hardware and stock shape were used in Europe, but are not common here. This could be a "first rifle built here after the stocker stepped off the boat". This rifle has been added to the just published update of Shumway's Rifles of Col America Vol II. Several other early rifles in RCA Vols I and II have the stepped hardware. The lock is a reconversion. Bob

[rich pierce]

Hi Rich, I agree it looks early. The stepped hardware and stock shape were used in Europe, but are not common here. This could be a "first rifle built here after the stocker stepped off the boat". This rifle has been added to the just published update of Shumway's Rifles of Col America Vol II. Several other early rifles in RCA Vols I and II have the stepped hardware. The lock is a reconversion. Bob

Thanks, Bob, for this and all your work on updating RCA 1 and 2! Can you share any details from the text in this gun? American wood? Caliber, barrel length, possible origin? The tang carving leads me nowhere but is pleasing, as is the cheek carving. Possibly an early gun stocked here with no clear descendants?

Also, I’m thinking of asking Susan to get me a copy of the newer edition RCA books for Christmas! Now I know what I want!

[Eric Kettenburg]

Yeah, I'm going to have to get updated versions too.  Mine are from the 80s and are so worn now as to be basically be 'loose leaf!'

I'm sure there are many, many interesting updates since the editions that I have.

[blienemann]

Rich and Eric, I think you'll find the updated versions of interest - rifles added to both books, many original rifles now in color, new research and new thinking where available. Many new references for students. You can purchase from several dealers, but Dorothy at Shumway Publisher would sure appreciate sales, as this is a continuation of George's work, and her source of income.

Re this old rifle, the owner thinks - and it appears to be maple with a few curls forward of the lock. Barrel 40 1/2" long, 1 1/4" at breech and .62 bore. Sounds like it was collected recently in Ohio, where it had been for many years. Shelby mentioned an early Schroyer. The stepped furniture shows up on a few Bethlehem rifles and many German arms, but not common here. The furniture and the carving behind cheek are similar to Rifle No 134 in RCA Vol II. This one needs study and discussion. Bob                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

[john bohan]

Hi Rich I like this rifle . there is just something a hand made rifle says to me.

[VP]

Just for information purposes, the Kentucky Rifle Foundation has the RCA II for sale on its website.  Here is the link.

www.kentuckyriflefoundation.org/store

VP

[rich pierce]

Let’s talk about the shape of the trigger guard extensions. Similar to the guard on RCA 134 and many Oerter rear side plate terminations and entry thimble skirt terminations.


Less important, that stock sure looks like American black walnut to me, from this great distance.

[Eric Kettenburg]

On the topic of this rifle, that sure doesn't look like maple to me.  Is it just me?

[Eric Kettenburg]

Ha Rich you beat me to it by a minute or so!

Definitely does not look like maple.