A rare, possibly one of a kind, English flintlock sporting rifle by William Wheatcroft, Derby, England. throughout the 18th and well into the 19th century English gunsmiths were called upon to build individual arms according to the designs of their customers, or for their own use. This beautiful rifle exemplifies such individuality.

The basic stock lines and 'take down' feature are English (the barrel and forestock can be easily seperated from the lock and butt stock for ease of cleaning and storage), but the pronounced crescent butt plate and deep stock flutes behind the wrist are based on American 'Longrifle' design of the 1790 period. A beautiful blank of tiger stripe sycamore was used to fashion the stock, the dramatic stripe grain again demonstrating American Longrifle influence. British military officers and firearms designers learned about the deadly efficency of the American Longrifle during the American Revolution.

The barrel is most unusual in being of square cross section at the breech, changing to three flats over round bottom at one third its length, and ending swamped (flaring slightly at the muzzle). The barrel is rifled with two deep grooves - a type of rifling that came to be adopted by the British Govenment in the 1830s - and fitted with a sophisticated three leaf rear sight for long range shooting. The barrel is fitted with a 'patent Breech' (Birmingham post 1813 proof on bottom) and gold faced touch hole. The barrel is also inlaid with brass decoration for its full length. It also bears an inlaid inscription. the style of inlay can be found on arms produced from Spain, through central Europe/ Russia, and on into what was the Mughal Empire. The letters? of the inscription do not seem to match any of the alphabets used in these areas and I am now of the opinion the inscription may be Masonic. In any event it appears the barrel comes from an exotic land. It was very fashionable during the 18th and early 19th centuries for traveling English officers and sportsmen to bring high quality gun barrels back from their travels and have them built into personal arms on their return to England. It was a status symbol to own a sophisticated firearm clearly indicationg its owner was a world traveler in a period when such travel was diffucult, expensive, and often dangerous.

This rifle has a very fine flint lock signed, 'Wheatcroft'. Its design- flat lock with stepped down tail, graceful goose neck cock, rounded pan, and basic roller frizzen - is in the style of 1800-1815. The lock is very well crafted such that moderate tension on springs produces a fine spark. Rather than having lockplate and pan forged as one piece Wheatcroft fitted the pan and secured it with brass brazing - the best technology of the period. Given that Wheatcroft, being a provincial maker, didn't have access to the complex forging machinery needed to make his own one piece lock and pan and solved the problem his own way. The rifle's steel patch box and other furniture are well designed. The workmanship and overall quality of the rifle is excellent, and the rifle has fine balance, handling characteristics, and a comfortable weight for long treks. With a bore of .45 caliber this rifle would have been capable of taking all but the most dangerous game.

It is interesting to note that the majority of world traveled officers and gentlemen of the period, being wealthy individuals, had their 'custom' firearms built by the 'Best London Gunmakers' as a matter of course since one's arms were a reflection of one's standing. The Wheatcrofts were a family of means in Derby members being involved in civil government, the clergy, and trade. Derby was also, due to extensive lead mines, etc., a center of international trade on a navigable river. There is a brief record of a William Wheatcroft being listed as an 'Alien' in New York City, US in 1812. By the 1830s two Wheatcrofts were listed as gunsmiths in Derby. I am of the opinion that William Wheatcroft gained knowledge of American rifles while in the United States, probably obtained the inlaid gun barrel during additional travels, and built this rifle for himself.

This handsome rifle is in fine original condition; the barrel is a smooth deep plum patina, the lock is lighly patinated natural steel, and the furniture retains original blued finish mixed with age patina. the stock has fine color and retains its old/original finish. All mechanical functions are fine. This rifle has been very well cared for over nearly two hundred years and is a fascinating piece for the collector.

Dimentions: Overall length: 53", Barrel length: 37", cal. .45

Price: $5500.00