BOD Rifle by TRS

[springfield art]

A retired re-enactor, who I've known many years, sold me his TRS Board of Ordnance rifle. It was one of four kits ordered about 1980 by a 'light company' of enactors; two were assembled by one gunsmith, and the other two by a PA gunsmith; it was used for enactments and well cared for, and is now in my possession. Haven't fired it yet, but as a .62 cal. Rifled gun, resembling a short Brown Bess, it should be fun to use for targets. It's very tightly assembled, and my pal assures me the lock is a good sparker. I consider myself lucky to have it.

 

[Penske]

Are you talking about a pattern 76 rifle? If so I have one I built from a TRS kit. They are very nice handling rifles. Took a bear this past fall with mine.

 

[springfield art]

Yes, I believe that's what they're called. The Pattern 76, thank you. I would not have the skill to build from a kit, but as mentioned, it was assembled by a gunsmith in PA. Do you happen to know where the barrels were sourced from? (This was around 1980). I'm not sure that TRS made and rifled their barrels. My pal who sold it to me didn't know either. He gave me a small bag of balls to get me started! He only fired it once or twice live, mostly used in re-enactments. The ramrod swivel is missing, but I'm told many of the originals had them removed, and I don't want or need a swivel, either.

 

[Penske]

Pretty sure they used Colrain barrels from PA. up until now. Not sure who they are using currently. Ram rod swivel is a neat feature used on horseback. Yes some of originals are missing the swivel some still have them. The rifle in the Museum of the American revolution does retain its swivel. Modern builds do not install the swivel correctly and most use a blind hole tapped for the swivel screw, very weak. Originally they were drill right through the barrel wall and the muzzle was what we call now coned, but correctly would be called swaged. Doe you know who built your rifle?

 

[springfield art]

Pretty sure they used Colrain barrels from PA. up until now. Not sure who they are using currently. Ram rod swivel is a neat feature used on horseback. Yes some of originals are missing the swivel some still have them. The rifle in the Museum of the American revolution does retain its swivel. Modern builds do not install the swivel correctly and most use a blind hole tapped for the swivel screw, very weak. Originally they were drill right through the barrel wall and the muzzle was what we call now coned, but correctly would be called swaged. Doe you know who built your rifle?

I asked, and my pal gave me a name, but I didn't record it. I'll ask again; The name Wood pops into my head, but don't pay that any attention! When you pick it up, you can just feel the 'tightness' of it. They're handsome! Somewhere in Eastern PA, I think. Nice to hear anything about them, I wasn't aware of the Brits trying to counter the rifles with such a program. Too bad there's only about nine remaining. Thanks.