John Bonewitz Golden Age, Award Winning American Longrifle | RECONVERTED Flintlock Rifle

Learn more at ilovemuzzleloading.com
This c. 1790-1800 rifle attributed to master gunmaker John (Johannes) Bonewitz (1758-1828) of Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania, won the "Best Carved Rifle" award from the Kentucky Rifle Association in 1994 (silver award plaque included) and is certainly a very fine example of why his work is held in such high esteem by collectors of American Long Rifles from the Golden Age after the American Revolution.
Get your own "I Love Muzzleloading" Hat here - bit.ly/MuzzleloadingHats
John Bonewitz [B 1758 - D 1828] worked as Master Gunsmith in Womelsdorf, Pa. from approx. 1778 until 1809. Moved to Pine Grove, Pa. in 1809 and continued the trade there until his death.
Bonewitz first appears in the Womelsdorf tax records in 1780 as a single freeman. In 1781 he appears in York, Pa for a short period of time and then again in Womelsdorf estate records in 1783 and as a tax payer from 1784 thru 1809.
Largely credited with training Leonard Reedy while in Womelsdorf who remained with Bonewitz in the Womelsdorf shop after his apprenticeship and moved with him to Pine Grove in 1809.
Bonewitz and Reedy also are credited with training Andrew Fichthorn Jr. in the mysteries and art of gun making up until 1802-1803 when Fichthorn Jr. returned to Reading, Pa. and established his own shop.
SOURCE: kentuckyriflefoundation.org/pe...
Click here to SUBSCRIBE - bit.ly/ILMvideo
Videos also available on Utreon - utreon.com/c/ILoveMuzzleloading/
Join the HCH to learn more about traditional horn work - www.hornguild.org
Join the CLA today to learn more about longrifle artisanship - www.longrifle.com
Join the TMLA to learn more about traditional muzzleloaders -traditionalmuzzleloadingassoci...
Join the NMLRA today to learn more about muzzleloading - www.nmlra.org
VIDEO CHAPTERS
Muzzleloading, muzzleloader, muzzle loader, mountain man, longhunter, bushcraft, living history, longrifle, flintlock, blackpowder
#muzzleloader #muzzleloading #blackpowder
DISCLAIMER: Our videos are strictly for documentary, educational, and entertainment purposes only. All shooting is performed in a safe environment. Imitation or the use of any acts depicted in these videos is solely AT YOUR OWN RISK. All work on firearms should be carried out by a licensed individual and all state and federal rules apply to such. We (including KZbin) will not be held liable for any injury to yourself or damage to your firearms resulting from attempting anything shown in any of our videos. We do not endorse any specific product and this video is not an attempt to sell you a good or service. We are not a gun store and DO NOT sell or deal in firearms. Such a practice is heavily regulated and subject to applicable laws. We DO NOT sell parts, magazines, or firearms. We are not instructing our viewers on how to modify firearms, accessories, or otherwise to change their basic legal function. These videos are free to watch and if anyone attempts to charge for this video notify us immediately. By viewing or flagging this video you are acknowledging the above.

[@bgurtek]

It's interesting that locks on many Bonewitz guns are very similar to those on J. P. Beck's. The style ands size are just about spot-on. And this particular Bonewitz has the hidden sear spring screw feature so common on Becks.

[@jackblackpowderprepper4940]

Outstanding video and commentary Ethan. What a beautiful rifle, and yes once again totally envious. Thanks for sharing Brother.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Thanks so much Jack!

[@alanparadis5061]

Very well done video of some incredible and beautiful history!!

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnfisk811]

.very nice.Thank you Ethan.

[@johnvaness8445]

Wonderful video! Thanks for taking us on a Grand Tour of that lovely rifle. Really enjoy your posts.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Thank you kindly!

[@RussWenner]

Great video Ethan! Love the rifle and your commentary.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Thanks so much Russ!

[@RobertWilliams-um8cv]

Great video and wonderful history and presentation. I know some folks care mostly about the history and craftsmanship but I would love for you and everyone else who is fortunate enough to examine and videos these beautiful examples to up front give the caliber, barrel length, and lock style and origination. Thanks!

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Thank you Robert! Sorry I missed the caliber in the video! I'll make a note to list more of those details. The caliber is very close to 50 but not exact, the barrel is 45" long

[@RobertWilliams-um8cv]

@@ILoveMuzzleloading Thanks much, I'm into ballistics and interested in the caliber type of rifling and twist rate, heft of the barrel, ie balance and handling as well as the story behind the piece. I'm a little more interested in using all the small bits of info to build a couple of light good handling decent looking hunting guns. BTW, if you haven't seen the story about an Indian trade gun by Ray Nelson of Bemidji mn on KZbin it's Very interesting, a little long winded but lots of background history,

[@JeffandLeslie]

what a fine rifle. You presented it well Ethan.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Thank you Jeff!

[@kesleycottrell1416]

I bet that is expensive. I'm a Pennsylvanian so l have 3 Pennsylvania rifles. Did take a doe with the .54 caliber flintlock using patch and ball. They are good guns for sitting and still hunting.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

That sounds wonderful Kesley.

[@kesleycottrell1416]

I have been addicted to that black powder smoke for probably over 35 years. The addiction seems to get worse every year. There isn't a 12 step program for it.

[@nonsibi1087]

VERY nice piece! Thank you. I assume I must have missed it, but did you mention anything about this rifle being reconverted from percussion? The flint cock, "frizzen" & flash pan, and "frizzen" spring all look new and have taken on a distinctly lighter modern-looking steel patina. For that matter, would it be possible if you showed the lock dismounted? I'd like to be assured that the rest of the lock is original.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

I didn't talk about it much, I don't have much information about the conversion. But I agree, the components you listed are definitely lighter in color and probably the newer parts. Unfortunately I can't disassemble any of the locks - maybe someday I can get the guys at Rock Island let me bring a screwdriver ;)

[@nonsibi1087]

@@ILoveMuzzleloading Thank you for the response! Wonderfully understated beauty of a rifle it is.

[@MrKmoconne]

Thank you Ethan for the tour of this fine rifle. It's a joy to handle an original, isn't it? I own a long rifle from the 1840s that is very plain except for it's intense curly maple stock. You hold it in your hands and wonder who owned it and the conversations that it must have witnessed, A few things. I've read that the low sights on American long rifles were intended for use in forests. Use in bright, hot, sun being not so effective because of the distortion from heat. I would be interested to find out if this was true or a myth? I was interested to see if this rifle was built with cast-off? A slight deviation of centerline of the buttstock, intended to bring the sight picture quicker and more comfortable to the shooter's eye? I wanted to know it's approximate caliber. It looked like it was 50 to 60 caliber. I wanted to know if the barrel was swamped, tapered or straight. Again, this rifle looked like it was swamped. Thanks again for your videos. very well done.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Thank you John! I've not heard the thoughts about distortions from heat - because they were normally used for hunting and defense, I question the worries about heat distortion. At shorter distance heat and mirage have less effect on a shot too. That's my first thought on the matter, but I'm open to some research! I did not notice any cast off in this rifle, it was pretty straight. Barrel is definitely swamped and about 50 caliber - swamped is more common than not based on what I've seen. Thanks for asking!

[@MrKmoconne]

@@ILoveMuzzleloading My thoughts about sights arise from the tendency for contemporary rifles to have taller front and rear sights. I think this might be because modern muzzleloading enthusiasts are shooting at longer ranges. My 1840s long rifle has an "extension" riveted onto the rear sight which was originally a low sight. It was pointed out to me by none other than Wallace Gusler. I think my rifle's second life was as a target rifle. The front sight is an odd, flip up, globe sight.

[@MrKmoconne]

@@ILoveMuzzleloading I'm interested in the concept of cast off in antique rifles because I think it's an advanced idea for rifle design.

[@chickensandwich1589]

I love how my one year old flintlocks are more beat up than these 200 year old pieces... ha 🤣😑

[@MrKmoconne]

A nice rifle like this was more likely owned by a farmer or towns folk, rather than a frontiersman. Well taken care of because it was it's owner's pride and joy. Probably used more for casual hunting and shooting matches. Probably was never in the presence of an American Indian as they had been driven from Pennsylvania 20 years prior to it's manufacture.

[@guaporeturns9472]

Did you mention caliber? Maybe I missed it

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

I may not have, I need to be better about that. Rock Island Auction Company lists it as a 50 cal

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@ILoveMuzzleloading thanks

[@TheHuntercamper]

thank you for pronouncing the name correctly (Johannes). I found the grave site of J. P. Beck, What was the kicker was his true name "is" Johannes Philp Beck. I was going by all the info in books which list him as John. Not true. Being so as proof, he was Moravian, using the name John would have been to worldly as the sect says. I live in Lebanon county, Lebanon, Penna. So it was of interest to follow up on his grave site....not where you think it is. First place I looked was, east of Lebanon (still in the City) at a Moravian Church in the area called Hebron... Interestingly I have not found Nicholas Beyers or Peter Berry's sites.. Although Berry's first shop has been persevered by the Historically Society which Peter move to western Pa.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Thanks! Glad I got it right. Thanks for watching

[@johnamoroso770]

That is a 4 piece patch, not 3 piece !

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Thank you, I misspoke