My 36 caliber Kentucky rifle. The lock is marked J & R McGregor on the first line and Warranted on the 2nd line.
It all looks to be excellent made and the condition appears to be safe to fire. The barrel is clear and not corroded.
There are many who will argue that it is not a good idea to fire an original piece, although there are ample shooters who do shoot 18th and 19th century pieces regularly.
It's hard to say, but in any case, be sure to give the rifle a VERY thorough inspection, particularly noting any faults in the barrel. The good thing is that you probably wouldn't need more than about 30 grain of FFg or FFFg, anyway, which is a fairly light load. You could probably load even less powder and still have it shoot well.
I have one rifle made circa 1840s that I do, in fact, plan to shoot, as it has a really heavy barrel, and is in very good shape.
On these it's a good idea to have the barrel x-rayed or examined by some other means that will reveal its actual condition, in particular the area around the breech. I sold a really nice original US martial flintlock to a relative who being an engineer, had the barrel x-rayed (not expensive) before he fired it. What was revealed was a pattern of extensive fissuring in the breech area, probably from an overload long ago, that wasn't apparent by visual inspection. In spite of its sound appearance, that musket isn't safe to shoot with any load.
Please take the advice here, or that of a competent gunsmith who is familiar with BP arms of that era. With a careful examination behind it, you just MIGHT have a nice-shooting rifle worth a deal of money.
Without a close and expert examination you might just have a bunch of sharp-edged bits sticking out of your forehead.
The choice is yours, but I dare say that while most of us are happy[ish] to shoot a percussion rifle from the mid-1800's, very few of us would be willing to shoot a flintlock arm from that time.
Bottom line, if you want to shoot flintlocks (and I really recommend doing so, as they are a lot of fun), there are many modern made rifles that are meant for shooting. Feel free to PM me with a phone number if you'd like to discuss some options.
I will check into the x-ray idea. I know people that have to have pipe welds x-rayed, and I would think their subcontractors could do it. Other than that route, what other x-ray options? Medical?
Thanks for the in put.
Probably not medical, they (1) would be unlikely to cooperate; and (2) unlikely to have the right sort of gear. In D-FW area should be industrial sources who can and will do the work without breaking the bank.
Can also magnaflux or dye-test it.
Very nice looking piece. At .36 cal, what most call a squirrel rifle, I think. I'd check it for breech condition, and unless very bad, shoot it.
I will tell you one thing, it's a beauty ! Personally, I would sell it, buy the nicest Pedersoli flint rifle they make, and pocket the $500. difference, but that's just me.
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