Old vs. New

[George F.]

After recently viewing "the Bethlehem Gun" in the antique section, and others of similar age, I was wondering if the survivors of the guns we reproduce will  look like those antiques when they reach  that age? Wood all shrunk up leaving inlays and other metal parts standing proud like they were never inletted? Gaps around thimbles like they were inletted with an axe? I realize this effect is due to shrinkage, But is this what our hard work will look like in 2250?   ...Geo.

[Jerry V Lape]

Probably not as bad because most of our guns live in more civilized  surroundings in climate controlled homes most of their lives.  They get cleaned after each use for the most part.  If the old image of a rifle hanging over the mantel on the fireplace is accurate the old guns were tortured in the hottest, dries air of the house when they were indoors and hung in an area very prone to roof leaks in addition to the repeated heating, smoking and cooling of the fireplace. 

[Lucky R A]

Our guns that we build will survive the ravages of  time and decay much better than the old ones. 


(some editing for Political content. Acer)

[alex e.]

 

[Ken G]

Whether they survive the government is a discussion for a different board but barring that I have to think contemporary guns will survive better.  In the old days they were tools to be used and most I think were treated as such.  Already mentioned is modern storage.  Contemporary custom built guns are already something to be cherished.  Not that they aren't used but I think most folks will take care of their $2,000 to $3,000 muzzleloader better than their $200 marlin .22 or pump shotgun.   

Just my thoughts.  Interesting question.

Ken

[Majorjoel]

 The older I get, the more patient I have learned to become. Lets just wait a couple of hundred years and see how the ole smoke poles hold up!

[rich pierce]

There is always shrinkage no matter how well dried the wood and so all guns from the 70's and 80's I have handled have the buttplates standing a little proud, etc.  I bet most of the shrinkage happens in the first 25 years or so.

[Acer Saccharum]

It also depends on the climate the wood is in, how much humidity change, season to season. I think over time, this breaks wood down, just from the mechanical stress of shrinking and swelling, humid and dry. Oxidation, temperature fluctuation, etc, all contribute to its demise, its slow return to dust from whence it came.

Tom

[Z. Buck]

Tom, sometimes it seems that everything that comes from you is poetry, both the way you speak and the way you create with your hands, not to mention in the way you see the world (like your tree posting) , i am honored to know you

[Acer Saccharum]

Sorry to disappoint you, Zack, but I failed poetry in school. While I am trying to recover from the whole school experience, and the growing up as a Catholic (the yardstick and the cloak room), in many ways my life is much enriched by my experiences, as they were not all bad. I had some great teachers, even took seven years of Latin, three of French, four Spanish. Which I don't remember a stick of, but the books had lots of great pictures of gods and goddesses, hunt scenes, battles, ships, architecture. Somehow the Classical period really speaks to me.

Oh, sorry, I am going on about myself...again.

And, Zack, I am honored to know you, too. How's your engraving coming along? Will you bring some to Dixon's?

Tom