I never thought I would have a flintlock of this quality and workmanship. I was at the right place at the right time and was able to buy this Neill Fields (of Green River rifle works fame) rifle, at a very reasonable price.
It has an original H.W. Mortimer lock in it which is probably 1810 or later, with a 7/8 x 36" .50 barrel and he finished it February 1990. The lock has a rollered frizzen, very smooth internals. The rifle weighs in at just 6.5 lbs. Barrel has 8 lands and grooves.
One individual on another site said that it is a small Beck style. Not all agree. Another pointed out that the lock appears out of character for an otherwise, early Lancaster styled rifle. "I can't tell if the lock panels are otherwise accentuated, but would have expected to see beaver tails behind at the very least. The angle of the cheek piece and trigger guard also reflect Lancaster rather than Beck....subtle differences."
HW Mortimer was an "Armourer to the Queen" and he and his son Harvey Walklate Mortimer were London gunsmiths' between 1753 and 1819 with premises at Fleet Street (see page 187 of British Gunmakers London By Brown).
(http://imageshack.com/a/img843/249/g2aj.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img844/5317/gzwr.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img841/5816/ic7p.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img837/150/lhqx.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img836/5333/a7yj.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img843/3056/u67bj.jpg)
Ron
thmbsup Now that there is a work of art. I am officially jealous.....
Beautiful rifle. I too am just a bit green with envy. I like the detail work, engraved for character but not overdone. How does it shoot?
that`s a fine lookin boomer ! thmbsup if it shoots half as good as it looks you`ve got a good one !
It shoots beautifully!
The real limitation is this 68, almost 69 year old guy with cataracts developing.
This was the first target after sighting in at 50 yards with my elbows planted on a shooting table. The spread is due to me having some trouble aiming the rifle at the same point each shot:
(http://imageshack.com/a/img674/8482/a9aqEX.jpg)
This is not my primary shooting rifle because I prefer to look at it than to shoot it. Yes, I know that lightening might strike me for saying that. ;D
Ron
That is some nice shooting regardless of who you are and how well you see, well done. And don't worry about that lightning, with all the time I spend not shooting my little collection those bolts will be hitting me first, giving everyone else time to get under cover. ROFL
lightning ! pnic pnic pnic ! well I would`nt worry , there`ve been six people in my family struck by lightning over the past 70 years , and no one was injured to badly ! grand dad was knocked of the porch , and one uncle had his lip split when lighting struck the tin cup he was drinking from ! screen door was hurt worse , knocked him back through it ROFL . as for trouble seeing the sights , been there for the last several years !
If you happy with the way it looks, shoots & feels (and that's a good looking and shooting piece) I say thread counters be d...ed.
I really enjoy having it. It holds prime position as my favorite rifle of the collection I've put together.
My problem, now, is that I fall in love every time I see traditional muzzleloaders for sale. &)
Ron
Quote from: beowulf on September 16, 2015
lightning ! pnic pnic pnic ! well I would`nt worry , there`ve been six people in my family struck by lightning over the past 70 years , and no one was injured to badly ! grand dad was knocked of the porch , and one uncle had his lip split when lighting struck the tin cup he was drinking from ! screen door was hurt worse , knocked him back through it ROFL . as for trouble seeing the sights , been there for the last several years !
Lightning will strike me before I could save up enough to get a gun like RonRC's.
I live in the lightning capitol of America. When I was building my house, lightning killed 2 trees in my front yard. I got an outfit from 110 miles away to come and put lightning rods on my house. That was in 1976. It still hasn't been hit but all kinds of trees around have .. and 2 cows.
You would be shocked at what I paid for that rifle. I almost (emphasize almost) feel guilty - like I almost stole it. Almost.
Slowly, but surely, my collection of historic battle rifles of WW I and WW II is diminishing, with the funds disappearing into muzzleloaders. This muzzleloader acquisition syndrome is all consuming. I just sold a dual sport motorcycle to support the addiction. :o
Ron
over the years I`ve owned a few custom built and a couple of originals , most I`ve ever paid was $1,000 for a .69 cal jaeger with an incredible maple stock ! but most were like between 2 and 4 hundred bucks ! there are deals out there , just getting to be few ,and far between !
Quote from: RonRC on September 17, 2015
You would be shocked at what I paid for that rifle. I almost (emphasize almost) feel guilty - like I almost stole it. Almost.Slowly, but surely, my collection of historic battle rifles of WW I and WW II is diminishing, with the funds disappearing into muzzleloaders. This muzzleloader acquisition syndrome is all consuming. I just sold a dual sport motorcycle to support the addiction. :o
Ron
Even "almost" feeling guilty is bad for your mental health. It indicates an internal struggle that could have severe ramifications and consequences down the road. Because I care I am willing to help you with this potentially devastating and debilitating problem. Just send those ol' smoke poles out to me and I will assess and evaluate them to make sure that you should feel good about buying them in the first place. Then, just to make sure , I will pass them on to some of the other members for their valued input. We truly care about the health of our fellow members so much that, yes, we are willing to sacrifice our time in this manner to ensure the continued well being of the newer members.
You don't need to thank us, just trust us.
:mini-devil-28492:
Quote from: hotfxr on September 17, 2015
Quote from: RonRC on September 17, 2015
You would be shocked at what I paid for that rifle. I almost (emphasize almost) feel guilty - like I almost stole it. Almost.Slowly, but surely, my collection of historic battle rifles of WW I and WW II is diminishing, with the funds disappearing into muzzleloaders. This muzzleloader acquisition syndrome is all consuming. I just sold a dual sport motorcycle to support the addiction. :o
Ron
Even "almost" feeling guilty is bad for your mental health. It indicates an internal struggle that could have severe ramifications and consequences down the road. Because I care I am willing to help you with this potentially devastating and debilitating problem. Just send those ol' smoke poles out to me and I will assess and evaluate them to make sure that you should feel good about buying them in the first place. Then, just to make sure , I will pass them on to some of the other members for their valued input. We truly care about the health of our fellow members so much that, yes, we are willing to sacrifice our time in this manner to ensure the continued well being of the newer members.
You don't need to thank us, just trust us.
:mini-devil-28492:
hdslp he tries , but it never works ROFL ROFL but we still give him credit for trying ! :mini-devil-28492:
Quote from: hotfxr on September 17, 2015
Quote from: RonRC on September 17, 2015
You would be shocked at what I paid for that rifle. I almost (emphasize almost) feel guilty - like I almost stole it. Almost.Slowly, but surely, my collection of historic battle rifles of WW I and WW II is diminishing, with the funds disappearing into muzzleloaders. This muzzleloader acquisition syndrome is all consuming. I just sold a dual sport motorcycle to support the addiction. :o
Ron
Even "almost" feeling guilty is bad for your mental health. It indicates an internal struggle that could have severe ramifications and consequences down the road. Because I care I am willing to help you with this potentially devastating and debilitating problem. Just send those ol' smoke poles out to me and I will assess and evaluate them to make sure that you should feel good about buying them in the first place. Then, just to make sure , I will pass them on to some of the other members for their valued input. We truly care about the health of our fellow members so much that, yes, we are willing to sacrifice our time in this manner to ensure the continued well being of the newer members.
You don't need to thank us, just trust us.
:mini-devil-28492:
Gentlemen I refer you to unwritten RULE # 1 - the order of testing any new item posted on Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap is as follows:
FIRST - Red Badger - only caus' I am the head Factor and lord of my mannor (unless Lady Bulldog says jump!)
2nd - Hawken50 if he wants to and has time to test between all his other duties...
3rd - the rest of you can fight over the scraps...
:mini-devil-28492: whipping wtch cuch
The level of sensitivity and concern for your fellow muzzleloaders is so admirable. I am moved by the volunteering of time and energy to evaluate the rifle.
It almost brings tears to my eyes. Almost. ;D
Ron
ROFL ROFL
HHHMMMMMM, "OLD" native american saying as follows, "aint happening dude".
fght My jealousy knows no bounds. slap