Flare/swelling around ramrod ferrules

[James Tenaglia]

   Ron Ehlert on Disc 2 of his 3 Disc instructional video Assembling Kentucky Rifles from a Kit shows an upper forearm feature in which there is a slight flare or swelling of the wood around the ramrod ferrules. He was building from a Chambers kit and this feature was built into the precarved upper forearm. Ehlert says "... the thickness of the wood between the forestock and ramrod channel is nice and consistent, but at the ramrod pipe itself you see how it [the wood] flares out and then goes back to a narrow molding... That's a very nice touch, very tasteful...."
   I have to agree that this feature lends a certain charm, character and grace to the underside of the upper forearm. But, in searching my extensive library of RL building books and DVDs, (original) LR picture books, and (original) LR CDs from the Kentucky Rifle Foundation, I just don't see this feature on Golden Age long rifles.
   Was this a common feature of Golden Age long rifles? I suspect not.
   But, if it was a feature of some Golden Age long rifles, then what county or school or gunsmith used it?
                    Thanks.
                    Jim

[ricktull]

I think that was more common with fowlers than rifles. brown besses may have had them, not sure. I don't see them on rifles either

[P.Bigham]

 From my understanding It was  more of a Southern Thing.  It was taken from the Brown Bess. Sometimes called a Dog Knot Swell, by my friend. That's what I know. I have seen them reproduced from hardly noticeable  to much too large . I am sure others will know more.

[Kevin Houlihan]

He's not talking about the knott at the entry pipe like on a Bess or fowler.  In the video Ron thins the forearm except in the area of each RR pipe. At each pipe the wood is left "more full."  I'm no expert but I have'nt seen (or noticed) that feature on other rifles.  He also rounded the tang to the shape of the top of the wrist which I don't see often either.  Both areas may have been done that way due to video issues.
Kevin 

[David Rase]

In August I seen that feature on a contemporary Jaeger built by Jack Haugh.  First time I had actually seen it done.  Of course Jack pulled it off nicely.
David 

[Acer Saccharum]

It's not usual in American work.

[J. Talbert]

I'm not familiar with the Ehlert video, but that feature would be most appropriate on jeagers or early transition pieces, such as Chambers' Marshall kit.
If memory serves me right, the Marshall kit has pipes that swell in the middle.  That swell can be subtly carried over to the wood, for the effect you are describing.

Jeff

[Mike Brooks]

I haven't seen every euro gun ever made but I have never seen that feature on any I have seen so far.  Surely a contemporary thing....