Looking For Help

[Mitch]

The attached photo from Art's blog is of a stock cheek rest.  Below it appears to be a vent pick held on by two eyebolts?  I'm looking for help identifying what this is called, how far back would it be correct to have one on a rifle, and lastly who would sell them. 


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vb_Yo_ELC48/S7knbPAbpLI/AAAAAAAAan8/ButSkem79FE/s1600-h/FH000009.JPG

[smallpatch]

Art's is just two staples driven into the wood to hold the vent pick.

Several suppliers make more decorative silver ones that can be installed in a similar manner.

As far as HC??  I'm not sure.

[Mitch]

Thank you, can you point me to some of the makers?

[rdillon]

Make them.  Steel, Silver or whatever.  Cut a piece and make a loop and there it is.

Drill two holes and insert the ends and tap in.

It's that simple

[smallpatch]

MLBS, makes some nice fancy filed ones.  Like this one.

[G-Man]

Mitch - sounds like you are also asking what makers used them historically, and how early?

For historic use, I know there are a number of examples.  I recall at least one of the "Step Toe" guns illustrated by Wallace Gusler in his Muzzle Blast articles - I beleive it is the MESDA gun attributed to Botetourt or James Headwaters area of Virginia - has the vent pick holders (staples) under the cheek.  It appears to be very early as far as surviving iron mounted southern rifles go, ca: 1790s.  I recall seeing some North Carolina rifles with vent pick holder inlays as well - including the one on Mel Hankla's "American Historic Services" website(?), which is believed to be 1790-1800 era.


Guy