AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: E.vonAschwege on July 13, 2015, 05:04:18 AM
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I recently finished this rifle styled after George Schreyer's work and took some photos the night before heading down to Colonial Williamsburg for the summer. It isn't a copy of any particular Schreyer, but is a blend of some of my favorite features found on his pieces. The barrel is a 46" .50 cal Rice. The lock is a conglomerate of several different commercial castings, but the guts are from a chambers Golden Age lock - it's about halfway sized between a Large and Small Siler. The patchbox profile is copied from a Schreyer on Mel Hankla's website. Schreyer's engraving often ignores the patchbox shape, and this one was no different. I liked the pseudo "art-deco" blend of shading and circles that he did on the original, I just elongated them and added a few personal touches. Special thanks to Acer for listening to my ranting and indecision about patchbox choices. The patchbox catch spring is riveted to the buttplate itself, with a captured pushrod following the inside contour of the buttplate. Any comments, questions, critique, or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
Eric
More thoughts on George Schreyer & photos on my website: http://www.neahkahnieflintlocks.com/george-schreyer.html
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FFullprofile1.jpg&hash=ee68d6b8fe53252585cdf014c125a6db36889b51) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/Fullprofile1.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FSideprofile1small.jpg&hash=c3265f2a27e6df7bfe86aa7e04aa0f0c85d5bf13) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/Sideprofile1small.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FCheekprofile1small.jpg&hash=95faeeb3b4671b1f0e3203a85c2009ce5d1bd75c) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/Cheekprofile1small.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FLock1.jpg&hash=0836e4ba5709a17b0022c3a70fc1ce449e7bb9ff) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/Lock1.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FSideplate1.jpg&hash=b545f7dc13540a603cdf7f29c6d4459ff2dff3ce) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/Sideplate1.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FCheek1.jpg&hash=6f26626cb3dbf81d05c8d60afcddaeab60c85205) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/Cheek1.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2Fpatchbox.jpg&hash=2b52cd81a6723987a6644fa527dca7c9b725acfa) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/patchbox.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2Fcheekinlay1.jpg&hash=adfa4e31e3e9c638bd6c65514c079995fec9ec4a) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/cheekinlay1.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FNosecomb1a.jpg&hash=1d9260f4155e56e68aa878c7b5f9823446e999f0) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/Nosecomb1a.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FCheekskewSmall.jpg&hash=c144d381a150645c50c0b8f44e6f7dc8b03774d7) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/CheekskewSmall.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FTangcarving.jpg&hash=42850cb22f6e599a28644ed30b1b0325853fcf97) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/Tangcarving.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FRearsight.jpg&hash=41eff03a5c74dc92918537019b198b1e7d9f5236) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/Rearsight.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy98%2FHelmsDown%2FGeorge%2520Schreyer%2520Rifle%2FWristdetail.jpg&hash=0ed2729c288698644e59ecee5fb2e609cb675404) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/HelmsDown/media/George%20Schreyer%20Rifle/Wristdetail.jpg.html)
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Excellent piece of work. I like everything about it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Bob
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Wow, very beautiful work.. keep it up..
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Well executed rifle Eric. I like it!
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Very, very nice! Thanks for sharing.
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You nailed it. There are sneaky things about Shroyers you got right.
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What I hate about it is that it's not leaning against my fireplace.
Very nice work.
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Eric, Not that you need my opinion, but I really think your work is excellent. I am quite jealous. ;)
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I love it. The carving is excellent an the patina is just right ;D
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Beautiful gun. The first time I can ever remember thinking the wood has too much curl and distracts from the craftsmanship. Thank you for posting this.
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What a nice rifle,Eric you did a fine job as usuall.Curt
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Hi Eric,
That is a beauty and I love Schreyer's architecture. I also love the unique engraving on the patchbox. It is refreshingly different and creative.
dave
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Eric that is a great rifle and you have every right to be proud of it. It is a wonderful thing to see all the skills you have been working on so hard finally come together in not only a functional rifle but a work of art. You have done both. I hope the new owner values your work.
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Eric,
Great work! How did you finish the barrel and lock?
thanks,
Bruce
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I really like the concept of something that "could" have come out of a particular shop. Much better than any copy could ever be.
Very well conceived and executed. Thank you for sharing.
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STUNNING...Beautiful work Eric!
Al J.
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Super nice job, Eric. About the nicest Shroyer I've seen. Must have been hard to resist engraving the sideplate!
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Here it is, folks. The Taming of the Schreyer.
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Erik,
What can I say, but......WOW! Nicely done. You're spot on with architecture, carving, engraving, fit and finish.
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tomtom said he approves...... ;D
I liked the ageing....leaving a little 'rust' in the sights is a nice touch~ when you look at the edges of the wood at the barrel juncture...they seem aged 'rough' how did you accomplish that?....not scrap/sand?...I want to learn more on aging wood....I feel like buying a sandblasting booth maybe...... :o ::)
SOMEhow get my wood where I like it seems to be elusive!!!
marc
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Hey Eric....wonderful job! Aside from what everyone else has said about architecture, carving, engraving, finishing, and inletting, I'm particularly taken with the triggers...hung nice and high to the plate and really nicely shaped.
Looking forward to getting my Lehigh schimmel in August.
Enjoy Colonial Williamsburg.
John.
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Eric- nicely done - you, lad, are an artist.
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All of the above but w/ a question.....how do you do such excellent work when so young? I think I already know the answer, so you don't have to reply.....Fred
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Awesome!
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WOW!! Unbelievable work!!
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Eric you just continue to produce such well conceived and executed firearms. I am always pleased to see one of your pieces posted here. This Schreyer style rendering of yours is very well done, excellent. Thank you for brining it. Spending time at Williamsburg sounds rich and rewarding, have a great time.
dave
PS: I like those triggers, tell me something about them.
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Eric,
I would love to pick on your work and give you some constructive critique, however I can't seem to find anything with your rifle that doesn't look good! Nice job on the carving, engraving and the architecture as well. Thank you for sharing it here.
I also enjoyed the write-up concerning the rifle on your website.
Curtis
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Very nice work Eric. Your attention to detail and workmanship really shows. Enjoy your time at Williamsburg.
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Eric: I think it's a sin to take images of an original rifle and pretend that you made it.
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Thanks everyone for the kind words. The triggers are reworked Davis parts. The rear trigger was reshaped, and the front trigger was replaced with a thicker and wider sole as the originals typically have. This modification required about 1/16" little longer slot in the lockplate to slide the front trigger bar through. I also make a larger 4-40 set screw for easier adjustment.
Swampwalker - good eye on the sideplate, I intended to engrave it, but did not have the time to do so before photographing and packing things up to drive to Williamsburg. I will be engraving it with a fairly simple border later this week and will have to update the photo later on.
The whole stock is scraped, the "texture" next to the barrel is an illusion of reflected light and the figure in the wood, it's very smooth, not as coarse as the photo appears. Something between my camera and the setup I use for lighting I think. More and more with aging I'm leaning towards letting things progress as they would naturally - for a barrel that means leaving it outside for a few weeks in a damp area with a very well-greased bore ;).
I haven't built a gun for myself in about 6 years, so I'm very happy to get to keep this one for myself (at least until I find another style that catches my fancy more).
-Eric
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Eric, really nice rifle! What everyone else said, and I really like the cheek inlay. Carving is excellent. Thanks for posting the photos! Will it be making the trip to Dixon's?
Ed
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Eric: I think it's a sin to take images of an original rifle and pretend that you made it.
Taylor, that cracked me up!!!!!! I'm still laughing ten minutes after reading it! ;D
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I'm very happy to get to keep this one for myself
We'll see how long this lasts on the shelf!
A most excellent rifle, Eric. You keep raising the bar for yourself, and then leaping over it. Fabulous rifle.
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Eric,
Another fantastic looking rifle, I agree the carving and inlay work is top notch.
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I just have to add to the chorus. Beautiful.
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Eric,
Simply stunning! That is a super piece of work. I am not knowledgeable enough to recognize the many nuances of particular makers' work. I'll leave that to others. I view such things as cohesive wor5ks of art and engineering. This rifles is the paradigm of function in artful form. I saved each and every picture for inspiration and study.
Thank you!
Best Regards,
John Cholin
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Hey Eric
I've been keeping an eye on your progress over the last few years ;) I want to congratulate you on the Schreyer rifle, a really outstanding piece, but more than that you've turned yourself up many craftsmanship notches from your beginning works, that determination is what this rifle has culminated in. You have every right to be proud of your accomplishments!!
BF
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Beautiful! Beautiful! work!!
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very nice,already has that over the mantle look,was my great grand pappys
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Beautiful piece of art!!! Eric you are amazing!
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Eric, I like that cheekpiece star also. I put it on a early Schreyer " attempt " that I did many years ago. If I remeber correctly in Shumway's Schreyer book there is only a picture of the star but not the rifle it is present upon.
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Eric, If you would like the rifle re-photographed after you finish with it. I would be happy to do that at my home in Mechanicsville (45 mins from CW). PM if you are interested. It will take less than an hour to shoot if you give 24 hours notice to setup. By the way, there is no charge except for your company and conversation.
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Eric,
Are you bringing it to Dixon's? (So I can help it's patina along with drool and finger prints.)
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Thank you again your compliments on my work. I try hard to maintain a balance between challenging myself with each new project and still having fun. This project was a good mix of both - I'll have it with me at Dixon's next weekend (where has the time gone!?). I hope to take it out tomorrow to sight it in if it's not too miserably hot out. Drool and fingerprints are good for patina... you should see the display rifle in the CW shop, probably has been handled by half a million people by now and it could be mistaken for an antique.
The cheek inlay is from one photograph shown in Shumway's book of a rifle that I think may have been in a few pieces when he photographed it. It has since been restored and is in the ALR library here: http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=4401.0.
Mark, thank you for your offer, I would like to visit your shop one of these afternoons - probably sometime in August, as the rest of July is looking pretty busy here.
-Eric
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Eric, my 2 cents worth is you out did yourself on this one. I have been following your progress over the past few years and each one you build is better than the one before. This masterpiece will be hard to follow and all I can say is keep on keeping on and I will be looking for yor next one. Its gonna be hard to beat this one.
topknot
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A really fine job. I like it. It has a great feel and looks "right". Not as easy to accomplish as one might think.
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Wow! There's not much I can add. Like everyone else says, that is a gorgeous gun. Well done.
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Great work Eric!
Jeff
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So nice. It's going up for sale or sold?
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Eric- you must have used the Elderberry Wand on that rifle!
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The pictures were great. The reality is better. Handlled the rifle at Dixons and it is dead on. A Shroyer is a very hard rifle to get right.
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Thank you Bill - you gave it a thorough looking over, I very much appreciate your keen eye and genuine feedback.
This was built as my new personal rifle - as Acer said, we'll see how long that lasts. I'd like to hang onto it for a while, as I don't know when I'll have the next opportunity to build another for myself.
-Eric
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Excellent work. Just beautiful!
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Fantastic! I love how clean the patchbox is. It goes well with everything else I love about your rifle. If you could spare a cup or two of that talent, and send it my way it would be greatly appreciated.