Woodsrunner Jordan,
I'll do my best but outside photos are a bit miserable at present. 30 to 40 below still...
This from Jim's page;
"Historically this rifle is closely derived from an original rifle of the James River Basin area of Virginia. The original rifle may date from as early as the 1740's and quite probably was used by a member of Morgan's Riflemen during the Revolutionary war. This type of rifle would have been used along the frontier during conflicts such as the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars and as a tool of daily life by settlers and "longhunters" of the mid-to-late 18th century and early 19th century.
Stylistically the rifle shows a subtle blending of British and German influences, typical of Southern rifles. The long tang buttplate derives from English fowlers while the decorative finials of the rifle style guard show German and French influences. This blending of styles is evident in the stock architecture as well, the classic English wrist balustration flowing into the prominent and effective Germanic cheek piece.
The round faced British export lock is typical of many Southern rifles of the period, its large size and excellent geometry assure fast reliable ignition, as important today as during the 18th century".
I trust Jim will not mind me attaching the above.
Being an early rife, possibly even as early as the 1740's, makes the sliding patchbox very plausable.
For this reason, I did not add a nosecap either, on mine.
Pictures of this rifle from Jim's site;
https://www.flintlocks.com/RK-08.htmEdited to add that the way this rifle comes up to the shoulder and eye and fits the cheek, it is a great pleasure, even after handling it for 20 -odd years. It is a lovely rifle.
