Question for Mike Brooks, or anyone else

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Mr. Brooks,

On your website, and online tutorial (which I love) you feature a couple of pieces that are similar the famous "brass barrled rifle."  Shumway seems puzzled by the origins of the carving patterns, I am particularly interested in the scalloped, or saw tooth edges that trace the shape of the buttplate, and the floral designs.  I direct this question to you because I have not personally seen other contemporary makers doing it (though I am sure they are out there.)

Do you know of any further information about this style of carving, as far as origins and geographic regions it might be found. 

Coryjoe

Coryjoe

[Mike Brooks]

Seems to be a southern thing is all I can tell you. Don't know if I have ever seen  that style of chip carving on a PA gun.

[rich pierce]

Fordney did something similar but much later in Lancaster.  Probably no relationship at all to the early work like on the BBR.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

O.k I know one of the ones mentioned on your website you list as an early Virginia gun.  I was thinking it must be, and the other aspects of those guns make me think southern as well.  Thanks.

Coryjoe

[Michael]

Look in RCA volume II, I believe it is number 145. Same type of carving, Wallace feels that it came from the same shop as the Brass Barrel Rifle.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Yeah that is a neat one as well, very much the same style.  I had my college library get both volumes for me via interlibrary loan and have spent that last week just flipping through both volumes making note on some of the elements and this style really just seems to stand out.  My favorite ones are in the section of unknown origin.

Coryjoe

[JTR]

I know of three Dickert rifles with chip carving along the butt. All 3 were probably made about 1800, and are similarly carved.

John