Dave Markowitz
Member
Yesterday I was at Dixon's Muzzleloading Shop, in Kempton, PA when this Pennsylvania flintlock longrifle caught my eye. It started out as a left handed Dixie Tennessee Mountain Rifle.
According to Greg Dixon, the original owner wanted something different, so he took the rifle to G.L. Dech, a 'smith who lived a bit North of Allentown. Dech retained the original barrel, lock, trigger, and ramrod. He then turned the barrel to a half-octagon, half-round profile. He may have coned the muzzle as well. The metal was then mounted into a new stock made of what appears to be curly maple.
The barrel remains at the original length of 41", but because of the metal removed when turning it down, the rifle balances much better than the stock TMRs (I had one so I know).
It's a .50 caliber. Based on the TMR I had about 15 years ago, it should shoot well with a .490 ball, pillow ticking patch, and 70 to 80 grains of 2Fg Goex.
Full length views:
Lock and triggers:
The lock throws a good shower of sparks.
Opposite from the lock:
Cheekpiece and vent pick:
Incising on the the butt:
Patchbox (the latch mechanism needs some tweaking):
Toeplate with patchbox latch button:
Nosecap and front sight:
Entry pipe showing transition from octagon to round:
I need to get some Brasso to get the brass all nice and shiny. I'm really looking forward to shooting this.
According to Greg Dixon, the original owner wanted something different, so he took the rifle to G.L. Dech, a 'smith who lived a bit North of Allentown. Dech retained the original barrel, lock, trigger, and ramrod. He then turned the barrel to a half-octagon, half-round profile. He may have coned the muzzle as well. The metal was then mounted into a new stock made of what appears to be curly maple.
The barrel remains at the original length of 41", but because of the metal removed when turning it down, the rifle balances much better than the stock TMRs (I had one so I know).
It's a .50 caliber. Based on the TMR I had about 15 years ago, it should shoot well with a .490 ball, pillow ticking patch, and 70 to 80 grains of 2Fg Goex.
Full length views:
Lock and triggers:
The lock throws a good shower of sparks.
Opposite from the lock:
Cheekpiece and vent pick:
Incising on the the butt:
Patchbox (the latch mechanism needs some tweaking):
Toeplate with patchbox latch button:
Nosecap and front sight:
Entry pipe showing transition from octagon to round:
I need to get some Brasso to get the brass all nice and shiny. I'm really looking forward to shooting this.
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