I was thinking of a few details that might be of interest to students, contemporary builders and restorers. Moravian Gunmaking II focuses narrowly on arms that were – or may have been made at the gunshops at Bethlehem and Christian’s Spring between 1750 and 1790. There is a short introduction to Moravian gunmaking, and the typical tools, materials and techniques used in the two gunshops are discussed. This is followed by a brief summary of who was where, their roles and what was happening in the world around them for each year 1750 through 1790. Then come chapters introducing the individual arms, their art and history.
As we began collecting images and details of each arm, the many photographers and owners were given a standard format for photos and a questionnaire asking for details, materials, dimensions and comments. Responses varied, but wherever possible, key dimensions and construction details are woven in the text of each chapter. This should be of value to study, stocking and restoration, while still being respectful of those who have shared their treasures with us.
The typical narrative with photos includes length of barrel with breech, waist and muzzle size, bore size, rifled or smooth and relieved at the muzzle or not, location of sights, size and style of lock, buttplate size, notes re stock profile with details at wrist, lock mouldings and ramrod entry pipe, pull, drop and castoff, cheekpiece size and maximum thickness of buttstock, patchbox size and details, wrist dimensions, width of lock panels tapering rear to front, construction details, metal and wood finish and any other observations of note. In some cases a tracing of the buttstock is compared with other rifles, and supporting details are quoted from original gunshop inventories.
Even though stock patterns and “standard” mounts were used, no two of these rifles and smooth rifles are identical – including signed Oerter rifles from the same year. This is an important part of the story – these are handmade rifles with hand forged barrels, and the barrel, lock, buttplate and mounts pretty well determine the size and feel of each piece. Students and contemporary builders will note the variety around a common theme, just as each of their new efforts will differ slightly based upon components used and how they see the design. Bob
