Small and light percussion styles

Just something I've been thinking about lately. What would be some smaller lighter percussion era rifles?

Seems the percussion era rifles that are recreated today are heavily dominated by the Hawkins and other plains rifle style. Which from what I've read when built true to form are big heavy guns. Which makes sense since they were going out into the wilds.

The Ohio rifles such as the Vincent's seem to be fairly light and graceful. What are some others styles to look at. Surely there were still a few guns being built for small game or other recreational uses in the more civilized parts of the country. Modern interpretation of the southern rifles might also fit even though it seems a lot of the originals were much heftier than they are built today.

I've just been thinking that a light graceful percussion gun could be very useful to introduce younger shooters or smaller statured shooters to the sport.

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Underhammer's?

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necchi said:

Underhammer's?

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He asked about “graceful”.

Phil Coffins said:

He asked about “graceful”.

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Then why did he include "Hawkins" rifles?

A làte Lancaster or southern style could probably meet your criteria.

I handed another shooters Kibler SMR recently and it was light and handy.

Agree with @longcruise

I do love a southern mountain rifle and have researched them somewhat since I've been off and on building a flinter version for years.

However there have to be other styles of rifles but you don't seem to hear much about them. You hear a lot about Hawkins and there is a little bit of info on the Ohio rifles. However Ohio rifle seems to be about as vague of distinction as southern mountain rifle is. Are there any good resources to learn more about the later guns or the Ohio guns?

Do some research on Jamestown Rifles, made in Guilford County...

WyomingWhitetail said:

I do love a southern mountain rifle and have researched them somewhat since I've been off and on building a flinter version for years.

However there have to be other styles of rifles but you don't seem to hear much about them. You hear a lot about Hawkins and there is a little bit of info on the Ohio rifles. However Ohio rifle seems to be about as vague of distinction as southern mountain rifle is. Are there any good resources to learn more about the later guns or the Ohio guns?

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Look up Association of Ohio Longrifle Collectors - AOLRC.com. Go to menu and click on Newsletters. There are years worth of articles about the various gunmakers of Ohio. Hope this helps.

The New England sporting styled were generally among the lighter rifles (like the U/H).

AFAIK, the now discontinued T/C Cherokee & Senecas were styled after them.

Not all U/H rifles are fugly

Pietro said:

Not all U/H rifles are fugly

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Well, let’s just say “fugly” is in the eye of the beholder.

An underhammer flinter. Now that's interesting and defies all the laws of physics.

I have what I believe is a Golden Age Arms 40 Val Leman style rifle. It's very petite, nice to carry, and not bad to look at either. Not original, but I'm guessing it's based on an original.

maryland style rifles. There are a few Armstrong rifles that were built as percussion guns.

WyomingWhitetail said:

Just something I've been thinking about lately. What would be some smaller lighter percussion era rifles?

Seems the percussion era rifles that are recreated today are heavily dominated by the Hawkins and other plains rifle style. Which from what I've read when built true to form are big heavy guns. Which makes sense since they were going out into the wilds.

The Ohio rifles such as the Vincent's seem to be fairly light and graceful. What are some others styles to look at. Surely there were still a few guns being built for small game or other recreational uses in the more civilized parts of the country. Modern interpretation of the southern rifles might also fit even though it seems a lot of the originals were much heftier than they are built today.

I've just been thinking that a light graceful percussion gun could be very useful to introduce younger shooters or smaller statured shooters to the sport.

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When rifles were no longer required to keep a brutal death or starvation at bay they could become more graceful, just my guess..

Out of curiosity, what is considered a light rifle? Weight of course, not caliber.

Billy Boy said:

When rifles were no longer required to keep a brutal death or starvation at bay they could become more graceful, just my guess..

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My guess is the first settlers in an area lived at subsistence levels. You bought the rifle you could afford. Successful farming, hunting, trapping etc raised your standard of living over time. Better rifle for you. Better things for the wife.

If I ever build another gun, it would be along the lines of a Vincent. That may fit your bill as well.