Author Topic: Little Lehigh  (Read 7333 times)

Offline Lucky R A

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Little Lehigh
« on: November 23, 2017, 04:54:31 AM »
     Here are a few photos of a recently completed project.  The gun is based on a late flint period Lehigh Valley rifle.  The original was a  50 cal. smooth rifle with an octagon to round 42" barrel and weighed just under 6lbs.  It would be a delightful little rifle to carry.   I duplicated the rifle using a 13/16 straight DeHaas barrel in 40 cal.   This added about 3/4 lb., but still would be a great little offhand rifle.   The inlays, etc. are all copies directly from the original.  This type of Lehigh Valley rifle is just a bit different to those made a little further west in the valley.  The rifle will be on my table at the Lewisburg show this February. 









"The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better work."  - Elbert Hubbard

Offline Marcruger

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2017, 06:20:42 AM »
Neat color.  Very warm.  AF plus dyes? 

I like your engraving work as well.  Lovely rifle. 

God Bless,   Marc

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2017, 06:27:31 AM »
Pretty Lehigh Ron. Reminds me of one Brad had at Brookville this year.
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Offline alex e.

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2017, 06:40:00 AM »
Wonderful work as usual!!  For some reason the wood color really is really appealing to me. I hope I can fondle it before it finds a new home. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Uva uvam videndo varia fit

Offline elkhorne

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2017, 07:41:06 AM »
Ron,
Really neat little rifle! I like the little nuances that separate it from other Lehighs you usually see. Love the color on the wood. Hope all is well with you and your family. Happy Thanksgiving.
Gary

Offline Curtis

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2017, 08:03:57 AM »
Sweet little rifle, Ron!  I like it.
Curtis Allinson
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Offline wattlebuster

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2017, 01:40:13 PM »
Very sharp ;D
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Offline Joe S.

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #7 on: November 23, 2017, 04:37:20 PM »
I too like your wood treatment,a very "warm" feel to it.Always like how you guys get that look of wear areas to the darker part just right,looking aged not artificial

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #8 on: November 23, 2017, 04:38:14 PM »
Nifty, very unusual.
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Online BOB HILL

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #9 on: November 23, 2017, 05:08:49 PM »
Another nice one,Ron.
Bob
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Offline Hungry Horse

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #10 on: November 23, 2017, 05:27:26 PM »
Ron;

  I own an original Lehigh rifle ( actually a smooth rifle, in .45 cal.)with many feature that you show on your new build. Mine is unsigned, but a very similar rifle showed up on this forum signed by a maker named Baer. Do you know anything about this gunsmith. My gun has the patchbox nailed on, and the side plate as well, both are made of sheet brass, and are engraved in a style very similar to yours. Mine has a forged brass trigger as well. Thanks.  Dry nice build.

 Hungry Horse

Offline SingleMalt

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #11 on: November 23, 2017, 05:59:26 PM »
You don't see many builds from that period.  Nice work.
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Online oldtravler61

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #12 on: November 23, 2017, 06:12:24 PM »
  Ron sweet little rifle. Leheigh are one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing...

Offline Robby

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #13 on: November 23, 2017, 06:25:33 PM »
Thanks for showing, it sure has a warmth and pick me uppability!!!
Robby
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Offline Lucky R A

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #14 on: November 24, 2017, 02:39:55 PM »
    Thanks for the nice comments about the Little Lehigh. Rob, you are developing a good eye.  The rifle is based on Brad's Lehigh.    Hungry Horse, I likewise have seen a number of  Lehighs along this style.  The original that this one was based on was also unsigned.  Does yours have a nice wear plate on the underside of the forearm?
     The stain is LMF nut brown with a bit of black trans tint and a smidge of LMF cherry mixed in.  I then color in the non-wear areas w/ dark mission brown trans tint and rub out the wear areas..  This gun was # 331.
Ron
"The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better work."  - Elbert Hubbard

Offline Hungry Horse

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #15 on: November 24, 2017, 06:11:36 PM »
Lucky RA;

 Mine doesn’t have a wear plate. Some of the more unusual details are the sights are bracketed for and aft by two fine engraved lines. Also the wrist escutcheon has the owners initials engraved running with the wrist of the gun, instead of across the wrist. The pierced, and engraved patchbox was nailed in place with brass brads, and then engraved ( the engraving crosses the nails). The patchbox hinge appears to have been constructed using two bullet shaped ends soldered to the head of the box, with a matching brass tube soldered to the lid. This is supposition since the lid and center part of the hinge are missing, but there are no wear patterns to indicate there were ever any knuckles on the center section of the hinge. Mine also has a stylized “little Dutch girl” cheek inlay, but mine is more robust than yours, and frankly not as graceful. Mine has an English lock ( originally flint) with a roller equipped mainspring. The conversion to percussion was so nicely done that it was virtually undetectable from the exterior, leading me to believe it was done by the original smith. The gun was shot very little as a percussion since there is very little cap erosion on the barrel, or lock.

  Hungry Horse

Offline Hungry Horse

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #16 on: November 24, 2017, 06:41:28 PM »
LuckyRA;

 A couple of other details are a short engraved  toe plate made from sheet brass, and nailed on, that looks like either a cursive capital D, or possible a harp. The underside of the barrel is stamped Scholb, a barrel maker that went out of business in 1815. Hope this helps.

  Hungry Horse

Offline A.Merrill

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #17 on: November 28, 2017, 09:10:59 AM »
    Very nice. Great color.   Al
Alan K. Merrill

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #18 on: November 28, 2017, 09:25:43 PM »
Outstanding piece Ron!!

Offline B Shipman

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #19 on: December 02, 2017, 08:24:49 AM »
Very cool rifle. Love the sidepate.

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #20 on: December 02, 2017, 04:37:48 PM »
Ron , Nicely done!! I DO like different !! They break up the monotony . VERY NICE !!  Nate

Offline Eric Smith

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Re: Little Lehigh
« Reply #21 on: December 03, 2017, 12:04:43 AM »
I like it, Ron. It's just beautiful.
Eric Smith