Well, I always wanted an original Kentucky long rifle, but the nice ones I could find were in the $3000 plus range.  I was at an auction last week and spotted this this rifle and it was marked “Schuetzen rifle”
I just loved the way it looked and was able to pick it up for $1000.  Now comes my problem.  I know nothing about this rifle.  My first question is it actually a Schuetzen?  I have found lots of photos on the net, but most all of them have a fancy sights on them, this one has what I would call a standard sight.  The rifle has no markings I can find, a very touchy 2 stage trigger, no ½ cock on the lock, 35 inch barrel. 
The other item I can’t explain is the hexagonal barrel bore?  About .45 on the flats and .50 on the points.  I guess my question is what is this rifle, who made it, when was it made, and do you think I can still shoot it!  I would really appreciate any help!   

The butt plate and the trigger guard, diffenitly look German/Euro Schuetzen but, the rest of it is a High quality "Plains" type rifle. Maybe built in one of the states that had large German or Swiss population.

It appears to be a round ball barrel, from the rifling style and looks like it could clean up, well enough to shoot well.

Pull the lock and see if there are any markings on the back side and pull the barrel out of the stock and see if there are marking under it, too.

Can we get a picture of the top of the wrist and upper tang? Are there any screw holes in that area?

It's a very well made rifle and I'm supprized that it has no markings but, maybe the underside will.

Frank

Colt kid, It appears to be of European make to me, possibly Germany, Austria or Switzerland. The hex. or 6 groove rifling is pretty common in that era. Also the bore may be "funneled" or "coned" to permit easier loading. If you check farther down the bore it may be of a smaller caliber. It does not really fall in to the category of a "Shuetzen'" as it does not have the fine sights , palm rest, raised cheek piece etc. that Shuetzen rifles have so it would not be competitive in Shuetzen matches. It is a fine "hunting" rifle though. Lots of things need to be checked before putting powder down that bore, a good muzzleloading gunsmith need to go over it thoroughly...IMHO...Ed

OK, Thanks for the great info.  In reply to the many questions, I think it is 45cal.  There is a raised cheek piece, it was not clearly visible in the photos. No markings on the lock, I will check the bore after I give it a good cleaning.  I added more pictures.

It has a German style cheek piece on the butt stock and a very fancy upper tang. Very nice.

Am I seeing that the trigger guard hinges away from the triggers?

Frank

Yes, if you remove the thumb screw near the butt stock, the trigger guard hinges forward toward the barrel.  My guess is so you can get at the small screw that adjusts the pull of the second trigger?

Doesn't need a fly, that is full cock

Palm rests were not used or allowed in the early German Schuetzen matches nor do I believe they were ever allowed.  The cheek rest is definitely Tyrolean and not all Schuetzen rifles have the "dinner plate" cheek rest.  My Original Haenel/Aydt doesn't nor do many pictured in the "Alte Schienebwaffen" series.  The quality is self evident.  The Tyrolean rest and lack of a palm rest make me lean toward German or perhaps Austrian make.  However, the absence of an aperture sight or the means to mount one sort of makes me wonder about that.  As one poster alluded to there was several different kinds of matches held in Germany at that time, not just the Schuetzen kind most of us think of first.  It could very well be that it was made as sort of a dual purpose rifle.  

Unless you are fortunate enough to find a signature or name or other identifying mark it's likely no one will ever know who made it or where.  That is not an uncommon circumstance when it comes to old German firearms.

As far as shooting it.  Who can tell from internet pictures?  If it's checked by a qualified smith and he gives it a clean bill of health I don't see why you shouldn't shoot it.  Being a traditional muzzleloader kind of guy the first projectile that comes to my mind is a patched round ball of correct diameter and proper thickness of patch.  Seems that would at least work easily in the hexagonal bore.  Someone mentioned the Whitworth style of bullet and depending on the twist I think that bears serious investigation.  Back then there was so much experimenting going on with rifling, here and abroad, I'm never surprised at what I see.  Truly a lovely rifle.  Congrats.

Just had a thought, thus the edit.  You and someone else mentioned the trigger guard swinging down when the....bolt....was removed.  Is there a lever or other means by which the entire trigger group can be easily removed?  If so, check if the set trigger is two lever or 4 lever.  I'm not certain when the 4 lever triggers arrived on the scene but if the trigger group is 4 lever I believe that would point more towards actually being made in Germany.  Not positive, just a gut feeling.