Christian Springs question

[DaveM]

One detail I wished I had looked at more closely when studying originals is the rear sight.  Unfortunately the RCA books show very few photos of rear sights.  One that is shown is the rear sight for the Christian Springs rifle, RCA #44. 

My question is, has anyone seen this distinctive style of engraved rear sight (RCA 44) on other rifles?  Is this engraving style on the sight a common design, or is this unique to Christian Springs?

[Michael]

Dave,

I believe its Christians spring. Many Christians, one spring

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Well......who'dda thought that???      

[rich pierce]

Don't know about the sight- good question.

[JTR]

I don't have access to RCA out here on the ship, and somehow have neglected to commit to memory the engraving style the rear sight of ol' #44  ,
but I have noticed a bit of engraving on the rear sights on some rifles, other than Christians Spring guns, so I wouldn't say it's unique only to them.

John

[jwh1947]

Thanks, Daniel and Michael.  This name really gets twisted by students and teachers alike.  

We may as well stir the pot and submit for discussion the notion that perhaps Pennsylvania's oldest rifles came from this area.  A necessary component in the understanding of the earliest PA guns is the activities and locations of the Moravian community, including Jacob Dickert.  Study the interaction, apprenticeships, and intermarriages among the faithful from Christian's Spring, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Lititz and Lancaster, and you will have a good base on the tight associations that existed.  Andreas Albrecht was one who worked first in Nazareth and then moved to Lancaster, providing a physical link between the two "schools."

  For those unfamiliar with the subject, Moravia is a region of present-day Czech Republic. These Protestants fled their homeland due to internecine religious conflict and a weak economy.  Here in America they made it their mission to Christianize  the indigenous population.  Good gunsmiths were an integral part of the community.  Girls and boys separated until marriage.  Education and literacy respected and encouraged.  Good records kept to the present day, open to all researchers.

[Stan]

Actually Andreas Albrecht worked in Bethlehem from his arrival until 1759 when he moved to Christian's Spring where he was master. He then was assigned to manage one of their taverns(name eludes me now) for a couple of years after which he moved to Lititz, Lancaster co. Where he remained until his death in 1802.

[rich pierce]

I think the Lancaster styled Albrecht rifle was generally assumed to have been made after he moved to Lititz where he may have been encouraged to work in the local style which Dickert, perhaps previously his apprentice, had already adopted or helped establish.  So Albrecht seemingly was quite adaptable throughout his career and able to work well in different styles to conform with local demands.  Albrecht's Lancaster styled rifle and the connection between Albrecht and Dickert still begs the question as to whether the triangular buttstock configuration of the Lancaster style had already been established by earlier gunsmiths in the area including Matthias Roessor and the elder Newcomer and perhaps others by the time Dickert moved there.  Also whether there was a lot of interchange with the York gunsmiths.

[Stan]

Thanks Dan! And a beautifull building it is.

[HIB]

Gentlemen,   When you log on today or the next following this topic scroll back up a few subjects and find the heading 'New Books'. It is possible the message I placed about 2/3 of the way thru might be of interest to all who have commented so well on this page.
Regards,   HIB