Back in 1996 I told Jerry Noble I would like to have a copy of the Robert Hughes North Carolina Mountain Longrifle which was featured in John Bivins' book, "Longrifles of North Carolina". Jerry referred me to Dick Breitenstein of Lynn Center, Illinois. Dick agreed to take on the project and delivered the rifle to me the next year. He was working with the poorly lighted photographs in the book. So, some of what he turned out was on speculation. The result was, needless to say, wonderful. The barrel is hand swamped 44", .36 caliber, and is fully octagonal. All of the iron hardware is hand made. The butt plate and toe plate are pinned together. The stock is straight grained American black walnut. This is a beautifully balanced tack driver. A squirrel rifle par excellence. I am truly proud of this piece.
Dick is now a great grandfather, but still makes the shows, and is still doing some gun work. He made a John Armstrong reproduction in recent years which I did not get to see, but I have been told it was a thing of great beauty.
Copy and photos supplied by Chris Barker.
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