Berks County details

[Hemo]

I'm working on a Reading/Berks County style rifle, trying to keep within general design features of Berks County makers from around 1800-1810. I'm about to inlet the ramrod pipes. I have read that one of the features often seen on Berks County guns was the use of two pins to retain the pipes. I have a number of photos showing two pins on the entry pipes of these guns, but can't find any detailed pictures of the front pipes. Does anyone know if the front pipes were typically fixed with two pins on Berks guns?

Hemo

[smart dog]

Hi Hemo,
Several early Berks guns that I handled all had 2 pins anchoring each of the pipes.  It makes sense to have 2 for the front pipe because it actually can be stressed the most as the ramrod is removed and replaced.  I don't know if all or most later (after 1800) Berks guns had 2 pins but I handled several that do including a Bonewitz rifle.  I now make it my usual practice to use 2 small pins on every pipe.

dave

[Hemo]

Thanks, Dave, I'll double pin them all.

Hemo (Gregg)