RCA #118.

[P.Bigham]

I recently seen a post on FB by Mike Gahagan on this rifle. I would like any information that anyone would have on this rifle. I would like to recreate a rifle as similar as possible to the original. The photos from Kens and RCA different yet similar.  Thanks for any help. 

[Collector]

RCA-II _ Ch. 13 is where the really interesting pieces lie.  Not for everyone... though it always draws my interest.   

You'll find a few color photos of the #118 longrifle here (scroll down the page):

https://scavengeology.com/the-flintlock-the-early-virginia-frontiersman-likely-would-have-carried/ 

Perhaps the author may be able to help you.

Please keep us apprised of your project.   

 

[Justin Urbantas]

Why would the lock be tipped forward so much. Looks like the front lock bolt would be square in the rr hole.

[Eric Kettenburg]

Many pretty much were.  Notched bolt and smaller tapered end to rammer addressed the issue.  Maybe not ideal theoretically but there sure were a lot built in that manner.

[Collector]

Why would the lock be tipped forward so much. Looks like the front lock bolt would be square in the rr hole.

I know I'm stating the obvious, but that's not RCA #118.

Another very interesting early longrifle though.

[rich pierce]

Not sure what wood the above rifle is stocked in. Cool old gun.

[JTR]

If you draw a straight line along the bottom of the stock, it looks like the stock has been broken at the front end of the lock, and that might be giving it the cockeyed appearance.

But Eric is also correct in that lock placement on the old ones wasn't always as might be expected today.

[Eric Kettenburg]

I believe the gun above is a European gun.

That being said, I have seen quite a few German guns with such 'cockeyed' lock placement as well as the dishing under the guard.  This may have somehow carried into some of the Northampton guns, as Moll in particular created a fairly noticeable 'dish' upwards under the guard which carried into the step wrist characteristic, and it often began at the forward nose of the lock panels and the forward end of the guard, very similar to the gun pictured above.

Reason for it?  I have no idea, since it typically didn't seem to affect forward lock bolt placement in a positive manner.

[Stophel]

I'm thinking it's NW German, or very possibly Belgian (leaning towards Belgian).

118 is certainly the type of gun that everyone thinks should be a pre-Revolutionary Virginia rifle (I think it could have been made darn near anywhere).   Very English in form with a cheekpiece-like object stuck on the side of the stock.

[jrb]

My favorite right now.
several more pictures on scavengeology blog

[P.Bigham]

Thanks for all the replies and information.  Any thoughts on comb height is it original or altered?  Is the side plate original?  Looks like flat sheet. As does the butt plate no screw holes in the usual places. Where these replacements?  Trigger guard is it cast ? Is it original. RCA stated there is no usual side pins.  I realize no one may have the answers.  Looking for speculations. I want to build something similar not a duplicate.   I have a affection for this style of Rifle.  Thanks all.

[rich pierce]

My impressions: cast guard, nailed sheet buttplate. I’d guess the sideplate is secondary and it was made without a sideplate or washers. A fowler style guard fits pretty well. Whether first work or not, another style guard would change the look completely.

[P.Bigham]

I agree side plate looks added later as does the butt plate. My speculation

[Stophel]

My thoughts... The comb appears to be worn down some ahead of the buttplate tang.  Not a tremendous amount, but some.  Just extend the line on top of the buttplate tang forward to see where it likely originally was. The buttplate, I don't know...  The positions of the nails looks odd to me.  I'm inclined to think, though, that it is the original buttplate.  I think it was made box-less, and the sliding wood patchbox is a later addition.  The lid that's in it, doesn't even have a catch!  I don't see why the triggerguard would not be original to the gun.  I would not discount the full-panel sideplate as original either.

[jrb]

Paul, you might be able to go the the scavengeology facebook site and try PMing or emailing Mr. Bryan your questions about #118.

[Stophel]

Just ran across this Belgian made "French" trade gun, with a pretty wonky lock position, much like in the photo above.  Probably put the lock screw below the ramrod.

http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20t%20w/a%20valet%20j%20fr.htm