Furniture Kits and Gun Patterns

[Seth Isaacson]

Is there any evidence of use of pattern books or furniture kits in the 18th or 19th century in American? We certainly know that very simlar side plates, trigger guards, and patchboxes were used by some schools.

I know engraving patterns were used by multiple gunmakers in Europe throughout the 18th century, and it is not uncommon to find silver mounted Georgian flintlock pistols produced by different makers with nearly identical furniture and inlays since those parts were produced by silversmiths and fitted by the gunmakers. For example, this pair of pistols from late 18th century by Martin has the same furniture as the pistol on the cover of Georgian Pistols by Norman Dixon and earlier pair by Heylin pictured and discussed on pages 48-52. Even the shell carving and the wire inlays are virtually the same.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19793/lot/56/

http://pictures.abebooks.com/isbn/9780853680642-us.jpg

[Seth Isaacson]

The guys on here building Kibler's kits and others but altering them to fit their own style go me thinking about this again.

[Dave B]

I have seen several originals that were of German Manufacture that have two part trigger guards. The front finial was cast seprate from the bow. I have seen the same chiseled finial on two different types of trigger bows. The same for a few original butt plate returns that were chiseled as well were made as two pieces then joined on the back side of the face of the plate. The two examples I have seen used small bow tie inserts to hold the pieces in place while they were joined with a braze to fill in the joint.
These two are examples of the brazing of front finials on trigger guards.

[Hungry Horse]

I think you guys have veered off the original path. The question was regarding hardware sets in America. My opinion, is that hardware sets in America during the flintlock period would be quite rare. Later percussion guns were quite often made from commercially produced hardware, but  I can't say for sure if they were sold in sets or individual parts. I tend to believe they were individual parts, and sold as such. Many guns used a mixture of commercial parts produced by a given manufacture, pointing towards individual selection, rather than sets.

  Hungry Horse

[DaveM]

Great question - I wonder if the larger cities like philadelphia in say 1760-1780 had their own casting patterns directly copied from british pieces?  In particular because they were copying the british pieces stylistically.  One example being georgian style silver pistol mounts.  How can one tell if they were made in america vs britain if not hallmarked? Were they imported as parts, or cast here by american silversmiths? Were all british silver parts hallmarked but not hallmarked in america?

[Dale Campbell]

Now, see I thought the original poster was talking about the pattern books published for furniture makers. They included the most recent and fashionable carving patterns. Chippendale had one (possible available on online somewhere), and possibly Sheraton as well. So I think his question was, is there evidence that these books influenced longrifle carving? My opinion is that it might have been possible in the influential culture centers that were up to date in furnature, also had longrifle output. Philadelphia comes to mind. Does someone want to take up the task of comparing Kuntz carving to furniture books? Other than Philly, most cities which were high culture were fairly removed from areas which were longrifle centers (OK, that statement is wide open for criticism and/or correction. Go for it.).

[Seth Isaacson]

Thanks for your input guys. It would certainly make sense that less talented and creative makers would have purchased pre-made parts and copy existing patterns rather than create their own. It would be interesting to see if some of our famous makers directly copied carving styles outlined in texts/pattern books from Europe. I doubt it would have been seen as a negative thing in that period. Some of the engraving and carving on the finest 18th and 19th century European arms are direct copies of patterns by European engravers (artists not gun engravers) and in some instances they even copied scenes from other art work. Certainly the Greco-Roman gods and goddesses found on some fine German hunting guns were copied after known works of art. Why should their ancestors here in America have done much different especially since some of these men came directly from Europe.