MUZZLELOADING
Lewis And Clark Model 1792
This upscale service-rifle repro hails from the days of Lewis and Clark
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| MAKER: | Village Restorations and Consulting Inc. |
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| ACTION: | Flintlock |
| CALIBER: | .49 |
| BARREL LENGTH: | 42 inches |
| OVERALL LENGTH: | 58 inches |
| WEIGHT: | About nine pounds |
| SIGHTS: | Notch V rear, blade front |
| STOCK: | Full-length maple |
| FINISH: | Browned w/ brass furniture |
| PRICE: | $2,950 (with pouch and powder horn) |
Lewis And Clark Model 1792 Specifications
Based on some reasonable successes during the War for Independence, the Americans really had a leg up when it came to marksmanship and rifle design.
But after the conflict, the smoothbore musket still reigned supreme in the American Army, although it was realized that rifles were also important tools--especially in the wilderness. President Washington believed that a battalion of trained riflemen was needed, so he directed Secretary of War Henry Knox to come up with a rugged, reliable rifle for issue.
An initial contract for 1,000 rifles was let out to several Pennsylvania gunsmiths. Largely resembling the "Kentucky" rifles of the period, the gun, known as the Model 1792 after its date of adoption, was a handsome, no-frills piece. It had a 42-inch barrel, full-length maple stock and brass hardware, which included a capacious patchbox, curved buttplate, nose cap and faceted ramrod pipes.
The locks varied in style according to who made the gun, and many were even imported from England. As the rifles were handmade, few parts were interchangeable. Manufactured until about 1809, the 1792 was offered in different calibers and underwent a number of modifications including, at one point, a standard lock similar to that on the U.S. Model 1803 and the addition of sling swivels.
According to records, this was the type of rifle carried by some of the men on the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803, and there is little question that some were also seen at the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.
While the Model 1803 has been reproduced for years, the 1792 has been available only on a custom basis. This has changed. The 1792 is being offered by Village Restorations and Consulting Inc. on a wider scale, though, like the original, the gun is still being handmade by several different gunsmiths and will be limited to 200 sets.
Working in conjunction with Col. Craig Nannos of The Sentry Post--a company that supplies costumes and equipment to film companies and hobbyists--Village Restorations has come out with a quality repro 1792 in .49 caliber.
I was able to compare the replica to an original Jacob Dickert 1792, and the replica holds up very well, the main differences being that the Dickert has an original sporting-style lock and no swivels. Other than that, they're pretty much identical except for about 200 years of patina on the original.
The 1792, while not as graceful as many of the fancier Kentuckies, was a more rugged military and hunting arm. You can certainly see why Lewis chose this gun to be taken on his trek west.
The Village Restorations piece has a full-length maple stock with cheekpiece, brass hardware and sling swivels. Steel parts are browned. The included pouch and horn are nicely made and proper for the period. The sights involve a simple German silver front blade and rear V-notch, both adjustable for windage.
Despite a damp and blustery range session, it performed well. After a few false starts due to a faulty flint, ignition was close to 100 percent. The trigger pull was crisp and snappy, coming in at a tad over five pounds. Lock time was about par for a military-style lock--OK, but not up to sporting standards.
Using 60 grains of FFFg black powder behind a .480 patch ball, accuracy was quite good, with bullets striking pretty much to point of aim and providing good 50-yard groups running around two inches.
As the weather was closing in, it was not practical to do as much long-range shooting, but a few offhand shots at the 12-inch, 100-yard steel gongs produced consistent and satisfying tintinabulations.
The 1792 isn't exactly cheap, but for what is basically a hand-built job, it's not unreasonable either. It would be an appropriate arm for the historian, reenactor or hunter.
