Allen Martin does simple...

[Collector]

Plain is one thing, but in commissioning another rifle, I told Allen I wanted simple this time.  The Newcomer and Fondersmith influenced smooth-rifle had all of the bells and whistles that I wanted but years of exposure has led me to a greater appreciations of PA longrifles that appeal to simpler tastes.  Early, bold, but simple this time.  Allen wanted to do a Reading... and I left the details to him... 

Sometime after our initial discussion, Allen sent me an email with his notes on the build:

'A Early Berks/Reading Flinter

Getz 39-13/16" - .60 cal. - Swamped Barrel

M&G Andreas Albrecht Flintlock

Subtle ... blending details from a few early rifles.
Simple carving, heavy mouldings ... Beavertails ...

Neatly blending deep golden-browns.
Deep bluish pewter iron parts and the brass nicely mellowed.'


























anonymous photo hosting

[scottmc]

Beautiful and plain with excellent lines!   Old Allen knows how to do em up and he's got the look to boot.

[mountainman]

Very Beautiful! Was this rifle at the CLA show?

[Marcruger]

Gorgeous, and proof that architecture carries the look.  I also love that shell for the patchbox lid thumbnail catch.  Bet you are happy!   I know I would be.   God Bless,  Marc

[Daryl]

Sweet - nice, easy loading crown, too.

[utseabee]

Awesome looking rifle

[rennikselum]

Fantastic! Every A.Martin gun I have seen, I would love to own. Really cool!

Thanks for sharing. Can never get enough of his work!

Jeff

[Collector]

Very Beautiful! Was this rifle at the CLA show?

Thanks and yes it was at this years CLA.  It's a sleeper...

I forgot to post photos of the toe & muzzle cap and a few of the particulars.

[Craig Wilcox]

Beautiful, and simple work done very well.
The only thing wrong with this work of art is that it is NOT in my gun rack!

[Marcruger]

"The only thing wrong with this work of art is that it is NOT in my gun rack!"

Hey Craig, I couldn't have said it better. 

[Kevin]

Collector,

A very nice rifle.  Thanks for sharing,

Kevin


 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

My compliments to Allen, and congratulations to Collector.  The rifle has it all.

[SingleMalt]

That's exactly why I like early Reading/Berks rifles.  Simple decoration and their lines set them apart.  Well done!

[Collector]

Very Beautiful! Was this rifle at the CLA show?

Thanks and yes it was at this years CLA.  It's a sleeper...

I forgot to post photos of the toe & muzzle cap and a few of the particulars.

Jan Riser has a photo on the Contemporary Makers Blog Spot, dated Friday September 20,2019 of Allen Martin's CLA table and this longrifle can be seen in it.  Like I said, it's a sleeper.

The Getz barrel is 1.143" at the breech - .869" at the waist - and .950" at the muzzle. 

Allen rust blued this barrel, which presents a soft contrast to the stock which, if you notice, is not 'antiqued.'

Total weight: 8.0 lb.   

A few more photos:

 

[P.W.Berkuta]

This rifle is VERY WELL DONE and anyone here would be proud to own it - it's lines and workmanship are understated but bold and the finish is fantastic .

[galudwig]

Does the screw in the muzzle cap thread into the bottom barrel flat? Just curious why the screw slot is still there. Never seen one done like that. Beautiful rifle otherwise!

[Collector]

Does the screw in the muzzle cap thread into the bottom barrel flat? Just curious why the screw slot is still there. Never seen one done like that. Beautiful rifle otherwise!

Yes, the screw is secured to the barrel. It was never intended to be a rivet, although rivets are quite commonly found in nose caps of other longrifle schools. A screw mounted to the barrel's bottom flat, through the nose cap, is a recognized element of the early Berks-Reading school of longrifles.

[galudwig]

I didn't know that. Thanks for the education! 

[Vulcan]

Does the screw in the muzzle cap thread into the bottom barrel flat? Just curious why the screw slot is still there. Never seen one done like that. Beautiful rifle otherwise!

Yes, the screw is secured to the barrel. It was never intended to be a rivet, although rivets are quite commonly found in nose caps of other longrifle schools. A screw mounted to the barrel's bottom flat, through the nose cap, is a recognized element of the early Berks-Reading school of longrifles.

That's interesting. Now about how deep would that screw go into the barrel flat?

[Collector]

Does the screw in the muzzle cap thread into the bottom barrel flat? Just curious why the screw slot is still there. Never seen one done like that. Beautiful rifle otherwise!

Yes, the screw is secured to the barrel. It was never intended to be a rivet, although rivets are quite commonly found in nose caps of other longrifle schools. A screw mounted to the barrel's bottom flat, through the nose cap, is a recognized element of the early Berks-Reading school of longrifles.

That's interesting. Now about how deep would that screw go into the barrel flat?

.950-.600=.350/2=  Just enough to get the job done.

There are a number of photos in Shumway's RCA volumes that show/reference this feature on 18thC. Reading longrifles.

[B.Barker]

Allen makes a fine rifle. I owned a Reading rifle he made but sold it off to help pay for some college tuition. Bought another Lehigh schimmel for my daughter with a killer piece of curly maple. I like the carving he used on your rifle behind the cheek rest, good looking rifle.

[mountainman]

Very Beautiful! Was this rifle at the CLA show?

Thanks and yes it was at this years CLA.  It's a sleeper...

I forgot to post photos of the toe & muzzle cap and a few of the particulars.

I was almost certain that was you that I talked to about this rifle, I was giving my compliments then! There is beauty in simplicity. Allen was the one that taught me all about building flintlocks!

[Collector]

Very Beautiful! Was this rifle at the CLA show?

Thanks and yes it was at this years CLA.  It's a sleeper...

I forgot to post photos of the toe & muzzle cap and a few of the particulars.

I was almost certain that was you that I talked to about this rifle, I was giving my compliments then! There is beauty in simplicity. Allen was the one that taught me all about building flintlocks!

Thanks!  I do remember our meeting each other and our conversation.

[AMartin]

Well I'm honored to hear the wonderful comments and kind words !!
Thanks to all that appreciate what I attempt to build .. I don't post very often on here in comments or whatever it may be , not that I don't read whats going on or enjoy seeing others fine work .

One correction about the nosecap screw .. The original's did most likely have a threaded screw going into the barrel , however on this gun I made a very thin square nut inlet in the barrel channel , and then made up a machine threaded wood screw to fit and attached the nosecap this way ..
I felt if someone in the future wanted to remove the barrel , it would be easier.. but still have the same effect of the screw showing !!

Again thanks to all ..
Sincerely
Allen

[wattlebuster]

Got everything it needs on it. I love simple guns an this one is a fine one