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Need ID on Flintlock Rifle

3K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  8iowa 
#1 ·
I'm new to this forum, and hope that someone out there can help me identify a flintlock rifle.

This weapon is approximately 40 caliber,( I did not slug the barrel) full rifle (about 46-50 inches long) brass furniture. Somewhat plain. No fancy engraving other than some light work on the lock. Maple wood, dark. Barrel and other "iron" parts are a dark brown patina, with some light erosion around the touch hole. The gun is functional. It is stamped "Lutz" on the top of the barrel flat. The gun certainly has had use, but is not abused.

I have no idea if this is in fact an antique or a reproduction. I don't know of any resources to see if "Lutz" was a Pennsylvania or Kentucky maker, or if it is a good reproduction. I would appreciate any help in identifying the maker.

thanks!

MikeyL
 
#3 ·
Mikey:

George, and Jesse Lutz were "high volume" barrel makers in Cocalico Twp Lancaster County PA in 1850. In those days "high volume" probably meant hundreds rather than thousands. Daniel Z. Lutz, probably related, was a rifle and gun barrel maker in Reinholdsville, Lancaster County in 1861. My source is "Pennsylvania Gunmakers", by Roy F Chandler and James B Whisker.

It is most likely that your rifle was crafted by a gunsmith who used Lutz barrels. The probability is that your rifle was made in Pennsylvania in the 1850's or 1860's.

I hope this information helps. I'm a long time student of the Kentucky rifle and am working on my third rifle.
 
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