Early half stock English shotgun/sporting rifle pictures

[Justin Urbantas]

I am collecting parts and pictures for a English shotgun/sporting rifle build similar to this
http://www.sitemason.com/page/gBGD96
I am going to work on this over the next couple years.
I have matching .62 rifle and 20 ga octagon to round barrels being made right now, and I plan on using the Davis John Twigg lock.
Do any of you have a source for more good pictures, or an idea of how early half stocks of this type were available?  The one I am looking at here dates to 1785. How much earlier would they be found?  Thanks for the help.

[James Rogers]

You can find English half stocks frequently in paintings back to 1730.

[Mike Brooks]

The English were 1/2 stocking regularly by 1760's. Of course the early guns don't look like the ones you linked to. There are several books out there that would be helpful but they have been out of print for years and are expensive, generally around $400. search some of the auction house sites for pictures, these guns are for sale all the time there. I find these for sale at gunshows all the time as well, many have been converted to percussion.
 I used that John Twigg lock one  time and found it incredibly lacking. I could get 10-12 shots before it was time to put in a new flint. I'll never use another one.

[smylee grouch]

The book "English Guns and Rifles" by J.N,George has pictures of many but they are small and don't show a lot of details. It is still worth reading though. You can view many by doing as Mike suggested, just type in some thing like John or Joe Manton or Mortimer or Purdey on the search bar.

[Justin Urbantas]

The English were 1/2 stocking regularly by 1760's. Of course the early guns don't look like the ones you linked to. There are several books out there that would be helpful but they have been out of print for years and are expensive, generally around $400. search some of the auction house sites for pictures, these guns are for sale all the time there. I find these for sale at gunshows all the time as well, many have been converted to percussion.
 I used that John Twigg lock one  time and found it incredibly lacking. I could get 10-12 shots before it was time to put in a new flint. I'll never use another one.

Do you think the L&R Durs Egg lock would be better?
Which auction houses do you look at, and have you found them to be accurate with their dating?

[Justin Urbantas]

I came across this one that Ed Wenger built with a round faced lock. I like it. Seems earlier than the 1785 original I came across.
How early do you think this one would date?
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=31676.0

[rich pierce]

The acorn finial on the guard is the latest feature I see on Ed's gun.

[rsells]

A few years back I purchased a copy of a Henry Nock lock from Tip Curtis to use on a rifle I was building.  It is a copy of the lock on the original you referenced.  The lock I got from Tip is a very reliable and quick lock and would be a good one for you  to use on your build.  I think Tip's phone number is 615-654-4445.  He advertises his prts in Muzzle Blast.  Good luck with your build.
                                                                                         Roger Sells

[WKevinD]

I don't know if anybody has any pictures saved of this from 2009 Don Getz post http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=8077.0 It was loaded with photofucket pictures of a very nice English gun by Don.
Kevin

[James Rogers]

The acorn finial on the guard is the latest feature I see on Ed's gun.

Agreed and IMO that gets a 1770s or later date.

[Dennis Glazener]

I used that John Twigg lock one  time and found it incredibly lacking. I could get 10-12 shots before it was time to put in a new flint. I'll never use another one.

I agree with Mike on the Twigg lock. I have one that Bob Roller built using that lock with his own inards and its a great lock. Not sure if you can talk Bob into building one for you but if he will its well worth the price.
Dennis

[Bob Roller]

I used that John Twigg lock one  time and found it incredibly lacking. I could get 10-12 shots before it was time to put in a new flint. I'll never use another one.

I agree with Mike on the Twigg lock. I have one that Bob Roller built using that lock with his own inards and its a great lock. Not sure if you can talk Bob into building one for you but if he will its well worth the price.
Dennis

Dennis,
Thank you for the endorsement of the Twigg lock.The flimsy mechanism was
my inspiration to make a radiacal upgrade.The total I made was 14 but only
planned for 10. Until I can get my eyes to work right again,I am not taking
in any new work.

Bob Roller

[Justin Urbantas]

The acorn finial on the guard is the latest feature I see on Ed's gun.

Agreed and IMO that gets a 1770s or later date.

That would be ideal. I was hoping to get the build to around the American Revolution period.