Guns of the Lewis & Clark expiditon

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Hello all;
I'm in the beginning stages of possibly building a flintlock rifle. I have always enjoyed the exploits of the 'Corp of Discovery', and had thought at one time about getting an 1803 Harper's ferry rifle, as this was supposedly the gun carried by the Lewis & Clark expedition. A little research shows that only 15 of these rifles were made, and that the crew also had what was described as "kentucky rifles", and later I found a reference to "J. Dickert", which was a Pennsylvania style rifle.
At any rate, I would like to build a classic rifle along the lines of something that would/could have been taken on that historic trek. I would like to make it in .54 cal (I already cast for that caliber) and would like to stay as historically accurate as possible, with one exception....I plan to use some of the recent U.S. manufactured coins as 'inlays'; the U.S. dollar featuring Sacagawea, and the nickles featuring the bison & the two hands coming together in peace.

At any rate, I was thinking bout building something along the lines of Track of the Wolfs Colonial long rifle kit...something simple (no patch box, ect) for a first time build. Here is a link:

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Catego...7&styleID=1120

I would most likely get my supplies for this project from a local BP supply shop in my area that I like to frequent.

What are your thoughts? Any input would be appreciated.

[Gil Martin]

The author Stephen E. Ambrose writes in "Undaunted Courage" that when the Corp of Discovery returned to St. Louis, the rifles were sold at auction to help pay for the cost overruns of the expedition. I wonder where they are now. All the best...
Gil

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Gil;
Five of the rifles remain; 2 were supposedly signed by Jacob Dickert. Where they are now (private collections? smithsonian?) I have no idea.

[jplonghunter]

Mr 16 gauge

I have put together several BP rifles and have had excellent luck with components from Longrifle Supply. Currently building Bedford County Flintlock with cherry stock.

jplonghunter

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

That sounds like a great project. Lewis went to Harper's Ferry and picked up those 15 arms for the trek.

Adam

[wrenchman]

I was reading were they had just found the air rifle they took I read it in nra mag i am sorry i do not know wich one it was in.
They were saying that with the repairs that were done to the gun there is actually a greater chance of it being the gun then not being the gun thow there is no documintaion to it actually being it.
They had picks of it and they showed old repairs they could trace back to the lewis and clark.
I can say i have read a few books about them but never the actual letters.