Modifying a Leman

[char]

I'm about to sign the deal for a flintlock Leman indian trade rifle. It was built in the early 1980's with a straight 32" cal .54 barrel, late Ketland lock, browned iron furniture (no patchbox) and stocked in curly maple. I would post a picture if I had one.

My persona is that of a mid 1830's Rocky Mountain trapper and I know this is not an appropriate rifle for my period, or perhaps not even any period if looking at the details of the gun.

Off course I dream of a Henry, Deringer, Dickert, Gill, Gumph or even a plain southern poor boy, so I feel I have to explain my odd choice.

I live and re-enact in Sweden all though I pay the Rockies a visit every now and then. Swedish gun laws permits us to own "old original" muzzleloading firearms made before 1890 without any special permits which I have settled with until now. If made after 1890 a licence is required. This combined with the fact that importing guns from abroad, the US in particular, is a bureaucratic night mare has finally limited my search down to my own country. That leaves me with a very limited market of muzzleloading rifles related to the western fur trade. Davide Pedersoli is a mass produced option as the few myzzleloading gundealers that exist carry them, but I'm not a great fan of their work.

So far this Leman is the best (only) custom built muzzleloading firearm for sale with some sort of connection to the western fur trade I've encountered.

My question for all you knowledagle people is; Can I modify the type of gun mentioned into something more widely available to the mountaineers?

The options I've come up with so far is:

1. Buy new brass furniture and perhaps add one of lemans early four piece patchboxes and live with the fact that it at best migh pass as post 1834 if brough from the east, or post 1837 if somehow obtained after his first known government contract for Indian trade rifles.

2. Since the rifle is not stamped Leman the cheapest choice might be to just call it an iron mounted Pennsylvania rifle and leave it at that and save my bureaucratic skills for my next rifle/kit from the US. But would such a gun have found it's way west during the rendezvous era?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Char

[whitehair]

Char, I'll say use it and don't worry about a thing. Henry Leman opened his shop in 1834 and that is plenty early enough for you. While he didh't get any contracts for trade rifles until 1837 or after, he was still certainly making guns, rifles for the mountains. I heard one historian say that Leman probably made 250 rifles during his first year in business. Yes, he had a good crew to do that but make those guns he certainly did. The Leman is one of my very favorite rifles and yours seems to be pretty good. If you have the tastes that I do, you might add that patch box as you suggested. Doing that should round it out quite nicely. Leman did make some rifles with iron furniture and he made many more with mixed metals (brass and iron) in the furniture. I would say there is nothing wrong with the gun you located. It really seems to be a good one. Shoot sharp's the word, Mike

[whitehair]

Char, It was a nice surprise to bump into you at that camp in Idaho. Here's hopin' the coffee cup does its duty for you. And, that flowered plant you asked me about, that is called a "mule ear" because of the size and shape of the leaves. Yes, I had to ask... Anyway, drop in at my camp again anytime. Shoot sharp's the word, Mike

[char]

Mike,

The coffee cup, my girlfriend and myself are now back home in Sweden after a great tour around the western US.

Thanks for sharing knowledge. cups, coffee and fire!

/Char

[whitehair]

Char, Good doin's! It's nice to know you had a good trip. Shoot sharp's the word, Mike