contemporary copy of Oerter rifle

[blienemann]

A contemporary gunsmith named Richard Nicholls made a copy of this original Christian Oerter rifle.  Does anyone know of the maker, and/or of his copy of the old rifle?  IF yes, please email me off site.  I only have this one photo of the original - sorry.  Looks like a fine rifle, with a simple rendition of classic Beth/CS carving done in wire.  Rifles #44 and 45 in Shumway RCA Vol I are similar, but a bit more wire. Others are more complicated.  Thanks, Bob

[smart dog]

Hi Bob,
My breath is taken away by that photo.  Could you share any more with me?  Thank you.  Sorry, Bob I did not see your note that this is the only photo you have.

dave

[Mike Brooks]

That's a great gun, I'm going to have to find time to do one of those.

[lexington1]

I wish I could help, Bob, but that is a neat rifle!

[blienemann]

Does the builder sound familiar to anyone?  Was he associated with Williamsburg at some point?  I don't see his name on the CLA list, nor could i find him by Google.  I'm guessing his copy made around 1990?

The rifle was apparently photographed by George Neumann, and published in Battle Weapons of the American Revolution, Scurlock 1998.  I don't have that book handy - one photo, or more?  Black and white?

thanks, Dave, Mike and Wes.  We'll keep hopin'.  Bob

[smart dog]

Hi Bob,
I have Neumann's book in front of me and the rifle is #7.RR on page 219 of his book.  The B&W photos do not do the gun justice, which is why I never really noticed it.  But your photo takes my breath away as much as RCA 52 , which you helped me with.  I have to make a copy of this gun.  I wish I could help you with Richard Nicholls.  His name does not ring a bell but then there are many makers of whom I am ignorant.

dave

[Majorjoel]

Richard Nicholas was a member of this forum as well as a KRA member from Carey North Carolina. He passed away several years ago.

He posted here under the name richardn and his posts can be found on the old board   http://americanlongrifles.org/old_board/index.php?topic=12232.0

[blienemann]

Thanks, Joel.  That could be our guy.  But the post you linked to suggests someone who buys rifles and wants some work done - a patchbox added to a rifle he has, rather than an accomplished builder?  The name as I heard it is Nicholls.  Referred to as a master gunsmith, but not sure who made that claim.  Bob

[Mike Brooks]

Thanks, Joel.  That could be our guy.  But the post you linked to suggests someone who buys rifles and wants some work done - a patchbox added to a rifle he has, rather than an accomplished builder?  The name as I heard it is Nicholls.  Referred to as a master gunsmith, but not sure who made that claim.  Bob

There's only one Master Gunsmith that I know of and he lives out West somewhere.....