Revisiting A Classic Long Rifle

In looking back over the projects of last year I realize that I never recounted my revisiting the classic c.1810 western Pennsylvania long rifle, made by well-known gunsmith David Cooley.  My previous effort was to simply stabilize it, but this time I got to dive in deep and repair it much more intensely.  Once I got it apart it was clear it had been damaged and repaired several times.

Here are a few detailed images to remind you of the exquisite workmanship of the tool.

Over the coming posts you will get the tale of making it more intact, not enough to shoot but certainly enough to handle and exhibit safely.   At issue was the through-and-through break running perpendicular to the length, right at the trigger mechanism.

Stay tuned.