AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Contemporary Longrifle Collecting => Topic started by: 5judge on February 03, 2025, 01:12:45 AM

Title: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: 5judge on February 03, 2025, 01:12:45 AM
At this weekend's show in Dalton, Georgia, I acquired what I'd call a fusil with a likely Rifle Shoppe doglock. 38-inch .62 caliber smoothbore barrel. A friend, the seller, told me information under the barrel indicates it was fabricated for the 1992 movie "Last of the Mohicans", but appears not to have made the cut. With a serpent sideplate and broad arrow stampings, caliber and proportions, I presume it was intended represent an early trade fusil and to arm one of the Indian cast members. The lockplate is engraved with Queen Anne's cypher, a date "06" (1706) and the name of the putative modern craftsman who made it, "I LORE". The "I" could represent a "J", of course. Can anyone identify Mr. Lore? Thanks. 
(https://i.ibb.co/RTD8Zh00/DSC01083.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tpJRkZss)
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: Eric Kettenburg on February 03, 2025, 01:38:29 AM
I think that might be Jeff Lore.  I met him 25+ years ago at the Ticonderoga events and I've talked to him a few times since.  He's up in New England although I have to admit I don't remember exactly where.  I know I talked to him within the last 10 years via email, but can't pinpoint exactly when.  Very nice guy and knowledgeable about the early stuff.
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: Bob Gerard on February 03, 2025, 02:14:38 AM
Could you post a photo of the whole gun? Sounds like an interesting piece.
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: Robert Wolfe on February 03, 2025, 02:15:04 AM
How about some more pics - that one is just a tease!
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: 5judge on February 03, 2025, 02:38:31 AM

(https://i.ibb.co/RGgYY84G/DSC01079.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kVG55Z6V)

(https://i.ibb.co/RG2gp65D/DSC01084-Copy.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Fk6hbYPD)

(https://i.ibb.co/mCZbm66K/DSC01086-Copy.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kgb5pQQT)

(https://i.ibb.co/NngwKdLT/DSC01088.jpg) (https://ibb.co/93mRWkqZ)

(https://i.ibb.co/RGQs3Tgw/DSC01090.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TDP74Mw3)
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: wattlebuster on February 03, 2025, 03:27:30 AM
I like it ;D
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: 5judge on February 03, 2025, 03:42:12 AM
My thanks, friend Kettenburg. I find no entries for Jeff Lore on the 'net, so your information appears to be all I'll ever get.
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: EC121 on February 03, 2025, 03:57:00 AM
I bought a LH Bob Harn rifle from him a couple of years ago. He was selling it for a friend.
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: Eric Kettenburg on February 03, 2025, 05:19:51 AM
My gut says he's in Maine, or was - might be able to find him with the all knowing google.

I think he sold a gun through Track maybe within the last 10 years so they might be able to give you some info also.
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: Eric Kettenburg on February 03, 2025, 05:25:14 AM
This post says it's from 2020 so maybe you can track him down through facebook.  I don't know how.

https://www.facebook.com/NMLRA/posts/flintlockfriday-from-jeffrey-lorei-wanted-to-showcase-this-bob-harn-rifle-i-rece/3715376041842408/

Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: EC121 on February 03, 2025, 07:58:25 AM
I found his address as of 2021.    Jeff Lore' , 19 Watkins St. , Gardner, MA 63017
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: 5judge on February 03, 2025, 04:09:33 PM
My thanks.
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: EC121 on February 03, 2025, 04:28:33 PM
This post says it's from 2020 so maybe you can track him down through facebook.  I don't know how.

https://www.facebook.com/NMLRA/posts/flintlockfriday-from-jeffrey-lorei-wanted-to-showcase-this-bob-harn-rifle-i-rece/3715376041842408/

The rifle in the link is my rifle.  The rifle was built in 1982. A real work of art.


(https://i.ibb.co/W4xT9Rmc/DSCF1901.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DHVqXj07)

(https://i.ibb.co/8gdhBh45/DSCF1907.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PG9SYSzh)
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: Eric Kettenburg on February 04, 2025, 12:46:42 AM
Yes it is!  Bob Harn, right?  And it's built for a shooter who uses the 'right' side of his brain hahahahahahahahahahaha...
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: EC121 on February 04, 2025, 03:46:59 AM
According to Mark Silver’s book it was engraved by Lew Sanchez. Harn didn’t do his own engraving until the early 90s.
The patchbox is aged not corroded.  Builder’s option I guess   😀
Title: Re: Gunmaker "I Lore"
Post by: 5judge on February 05, 2025, 02:20:29 PM
Lewis Sanchez! Boy does that ring a bell! If he's the fellow from Fayetteville, N.C., I haunted his gunshop when I took my first job in Fayetteville out of GI Bill-financed law school in 1972.