This rifle is an interpretation of similar rifles made by F. Klette of Virginia during the period of the Rev War.  It is also similar to the rifle made by the Gunsmith of Williamsburg in the video of the same title.

This would have been a high-ended rifle of that period, as most rifles of the Rev War period that have been proven to have been used in that war are not as finely made.  Some, in fact, were rather clunky, crude or plain.  It is a misconception that rifles of the Rev War period would have all been delicately carved and engraved, with slim profile, and comparable to the best masters.

The rifle was still evolving during the time of the Rev War and many were rather crudely done in comparison to later rifles made during the "Golden Age".  One exception was apparently F. Klette as it is known he was working during the time of the Revolution as proven by Wallace Gusler's extensive research into rifles of that period made in Virginia.  Rifles from several of the Lancaster makers would have been comparable to this rifle.  It is noted that one rifle of Northampton County style was depicted in Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution as a Revolutionary period rifle.  It is much more finely carved and made than all the other rifles shown in this reference book.  In point of fact, the maker of that depicted rifle did not make rifles during the Revolution, but later during the golden age. 

 

This rifle, as are all my Revolution period rifles, was made as accurate to the period as possible.  To quote the narrator of the video Gunsmith of Williamsburg of Mr. Gusler's effort making the rifle similar to the one pictured on these pages "The goal of making a rifle of the period, without getting carried away, was met".  In other words, many rifles made by makers today purporting to be of that period, are not.  I do not quibble about that any more than I would about a reenactor using a 2nd Model Brown Bess during F&I War events - but to be true to the periods of development of the rifle in our colonial history one must NOT allow himself to be carried away by "wants" in lieu of accuracy if historical accuracy is desired.