Author Topic: Looking for information on RCA 83  (Read 1013 times)

Offline TommyG

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Looking for information on RCA 83
« on: February 03, 2021, 11:42:06 PM »
Looking for some insight or any information on RCA 83 found in RCA volume 2 on Pg. 366.  Doing my pre build research.  I am planning on a 62 cal smoothbore.  Just have a few questions.  Schumway states he thinks the gun was made in the Lehigh valley or just west in Berks. To me the gun looks more like an Albrecht or Christian's Spring type.  From my eye, it looks real close to RCA 43.  Also, the replacement lock in RCA 2 is a round faced english lock.  I realize that this might be an appropriate lock, but what would you guys speculate was the original?  I was thinking it would be more of a Germanic type lock.  All help is greatly appreciated.

Offline blienemann

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Re: Looking for information on RCA 83
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2021, 12:37:01 AM »
TommyG, this smooth rifle was stocked by Isaac Berlin of Easton, PA - which is just 10 miles east of Bethlehem and C's Spring.  There is another rifle by Berlin with similar carving and a side opening brass box like Oerter used, probably was available locally.  George states that the original lock was English style converted to percussion, and shows the original lockplate at top of p 369.  The other rifle carried a German style lock, also converted to percussion.  Quite a few contemporary copies have been stocked of both this smooth rifle and the other rifle.  You should be able to find photos in books, articles and KRF photo discs.

Offline rich pierce

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Re: Looking for information on RCA 83
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2021, 12:52:14 AM »
I’ve got MB articles saved that talk about this and other Berlin rifles. PM me for copies.
Andover, Vermont

Offline TommyG

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Re: Looking for information on RCA 83
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2021, 04:01:46 AM »
Thanks Bob & Rich for your replies.  Now I can narrow my research a bit further.

Online Stophel

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Re: Looking for information on RCA 83
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2021, 04:44:56 AM »
The Harrison full scale drawing is available here. And well worth it.

https://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/mbs3cart/agora.cgi?cart_id=437170.2345&product=Books-Videos-Drawings

My understanding is that these are not being printed anymore (?), so get it while you can.  ;)
When a reenactor says "They didn't write everything down"   what that really means is: "I'm too lazy to look for documentation."