drawings, plans for a Phillip Sheetz (late Virgina rifle)

[jamesthomas]

 I was looking around and was unable to find any plans or drawings of the Sheetz rifle I'm getting the parts together for. I've checked Muzzleloaders builders Supply and T.O.T.W. but no luck. Does anyone know where I can get one?  I'm going to be using Buttplate No. 27576, and trigger guard no. 27572 in Brass from Muzzleloader Builders Supply. Thanks. I hope everyone has had a Happy 4th of July.

[Ryan McNabb]

You won't find any drawings for these like you would for the more commercially popular styles.  The rifles that would be useful for you to look at are in Whisker's two books on VA longrifles and gunsmiths.  From there you can go to a copy shop and blow up photographs which will be at least a start in the right direction. 

[Larry Luck]

Ryan,

I was going to ask where some photos might belocated.  I have both of Professor Whiskers Virginia books and will look there.  At some point, I'd like to build a rifle with characteristics from the Winchester area - Lauck or Sheetz.  If I live to be about 250, at my current rate.

Thanks,

Larry Luck

[galamb]

I too was looking for a later Virginia set of plans/patterns (do more planning than building  )

Anyhow, not finding any you can work up your own patterns with some pics, a scale ruler (one of those three sided ones draftsmen use) and a protractor.

Here is some of my work-ups of a M. Sheets rifle. I knew the barrel is 42" (from the description), everything else can be scaled from there (although photo's sometimes "stretch" it comes out pretty close).

[Ryan McNabb]

It's hard to find a photo of a Phillip Sheetz rifle...there aren't any in the books I have.  This rifle has an attestation to Phillip...to me it looks like some of the nondescript sort-of PA style work that is seen from VA makers with either training in, or close ties to, PA.  Simon Lauck has a rifle in this vein.

http://aspenshadeltd.com/inventory_brocksgap.html

This great iron mounted rifle carries a phillip attestation but won't help you...

http://www.aspenshadeltd.com/inventory_iron.html

Unless you are intent on copying a specific rifle, it's probably going to be more interesting to build a rifle from the school.  That trigger guard is awfully thin though, and it will limit you stylistically.  When I look at it the rifle that occurs to me is the Martin Sheetz gun with the crazy drop at heel...probably 6"+ of drop.  Awesome rifle.  But others would work too certainly.  There are so many long graceful rifles from the Sheetz boys it would be hard to choose. 

[kaintuck]

WHEW!...I LOVE that iron mounted sheetz rifle #2....love that trigger guard!!!!!

but i'll have to pass on buying it....32,000 bucks will be just a dream for me on buying a rifle!!!!!!

boy, IF it could talkk and tell its story!!!!!!!!

marc

[Osprey]

I just looked in my copy of Whisker's WV Gunsmiths, lots of Sheetz rifles in that one, too, but only one Phillip and it's that iron mounted gun.