Before the moderators jump on me, I fully understand their desire to restrict the firearms posted here, to keep the site meaningful and on subject. But once in a while, I think they jump too quickly and overlook the value of a posted firearm as it relates to the American longrifle. Our mission statement's interpretation has been broadened significantly the past few years, moving away from a longrifle focus to begin including more military longarm and shotgun postings. Current guidelines for postings seem to use only the phrase "the focus of the board is only those arms... utilizing a side lock ignition system." We are no longer just "American longrifles" or even "sporting arms."
The Bonnet rifle that was posted was one of the most fascinating rifles I've seen in a while. Here was a rifle closely related to the American longrifle, showing how, at least for one builder, it had evolved into a later style ignition system... while still retaining more of the decorative American longrifle details than any military longarm or shotgun that I can recall being posted.
I was told by a moderator a few years back, when questioning why so many military longarms were being accepted on an American longrifle site that violated our Mission Statement, that it was important for this site to accept "more widely related" guns so that the site could grow and encourage new members. [I may have missed the wording slightly, but that was the general message I received.]
I personally think removal of the Bonnet rifle was a mistake in this instance. It was a fascinating rifle, related more strongly to the American longrifle than the military longarms and shotguns that have been posted, and even some of the discussions on "high priced" European locks. It seems we may have developed a case of "tunnel vision," focused too singularly on the "side lock" detail, rather than the "American longrifle," and as a result we are missing opportunities to add enjoyment to our current members [and encourage new members, right?] by no longer giving equal weight to the "sporting arms" that, at least in appearance in our Mission Statement, should have the same importance as "side lock."
Shelby Gallien
