Dickert 1792 Patchbox

[dans]

I am trying to find an illustration of a patchbox from a Dickert 1792 Contract Rifle of the type that would have been issued to Gen Anthony Wayne's troops in 1793; before his Ohio campaign.  Most of what I've found has either been about higher quality rifles or from the Lewis and Clark or 1807 contract period.  I've also read that the patchboxes may have been in a variety of styles, being whatever Jacob Dickert had in stock at the time.  Any information some one could give me on a documented example would be greatly appreciated.

[Ky-Flinter]

Dan,

Welcome to ALR.  You might take a look at Don Stith's website.  He has done considerable research and offers a 1792/1794 Lewis and Clark Contract Rifle parts set, see www.donstith.com/lewis___clark.html  There is a section on his site with historical background of the U.S. Contract Rifle, Pattern of 1792, see www.stith.com/history.html

-Ron

[dans]

Ron- Thanks for the advice and the welcome.  I had thought of getting Don Stith's kit, but it is definitely an 1803 style rifle so it didn't really represent the 1793 time that I needed.  But if I can't find what I need, my rifle might end up looking like Don Stith's
Dan

[Dennis Glazener]

You might try contacting Don using the contact info on his website. He might have a 1792 patchbox that he would sell.
Dennis

[Dphariss]

Dan,

Welcome to ALR.  You might take a look at Don Stith's website.  He has done considerable research and offers a 1792/1794 Lewis and Clark Contract Rifle parts set, see www.donstith.com/lewis___clark.html  There is a section on his site with historical background of the U.S. Contract Rifle, Pattern of 1792, see www.stith.com/history.html

-Ron

Don Stith has some rather creative ideas on the L&C rifles. But this is an excellent place to get info on the Contract rifles. The original Contract Rifle locks were typical Kentucky locks of the time. Not HF locks.

Dan

[Longknife]

In Flaydermans there are 3 contract rifles pictured. The one labeled as a J. Dickert has a patchbox very much like the current ones offered by Don Stith, Track of the Wolf and others. I hesitate to say identical as I do not have the exact measurements of either. These are used on the '92 contract rifles and the 1803 Harpers Ferry rifles. There is a picture ( I think) of  a Dickert contact rifle in Frank Taits controversial article in "MAN AT ARMS' mag. may/june 1999 but I can't locate my copy. Here is an interesting article that states by the Nov. 26 1792, Dickert , Gonter and Graeff delivered 817 rifles. they would have had to employ many other 'smiths to accopmplish this, interesting...Ed


http://asoac.org/bulletins/97_flanagan_1792.pdf

[Dphariss]

I would not be surprised to learn that the Contract Rifles were instrumental in the decision to have subsequent arms made by the arsenals.

The contract patchbox was apparently very similar if not identical to the 1803s so the Stith PB should be ideal. So far as I can see the lock is the only item that is wrong for the rifles as they looked when originally delivered to the Army.
At least  some Contract Rifles were apparently "improved" by the installation of patchboxes more in line with the civilian arms made by Dickert etc. to increase collector value.

Dan

[dans]

I've been in touch with Don Stith by email today.  He said the 1803 rifle patch box was a copy of the boxes on the contract rifles (as Dan thought).  He noted slight variations, like the 1807 contract rifles pictured in Flayderman's and the examples in the article linked by Ed. Thank you all for your help, I really appreciate it.
Dan
 

[JTR]

At least  some Contract Rifles were apparently "improved" by the installation of patchboxes more in line with the civilian arms made by Dickert etc. to increase collector value.
Dan

Eeeee-gads, Can't you Ever give it a rest dude???
Or do you just have to spout your usual anti-collector $#@* at every available opportunity???

John

[timM]

Frank Tait wrote a great piece concerning the 1792 Contract rifles in a 1999 Man an Arms issue.  tim

[Dphariss]

At least  some Contract Rifles were apparently "improved" by the installation of patchboxes more in line with the civilian arms made by Dickert etc. to increase collector value.
Dan

Eeeee-gads, Can't you Ever give it a rest dude???
Or do you just have to spout your usual anti-collector $#@* at every available opportunity???

John

The poster WAS talking about the patch boxes. There ARE contract rifles with replacement boxes. So silly me I thought it might be relevant .

[Dale Campbell]

Some were done in while in use.  If you search the archives for "Interlaken", their museum has what appears to be a contract rifle with a highly engraved patchbox added.

[Dphariss]

Some were done in while in use.  If you search the archives for "Interlaken", their museum has what appears to be a contract rifle with a highly engraved patchbox added.

I am sure some were changed in their service life. Virtually all were relocked by the gov't
However, it would require removal of the current box to determine this.
The peircings in the finial might not cover the original inlet but this would be dependent on the variations in the original boxes.

Dan