The teaser pics were rifles by Eric K and Jud B as you noted. More of them later, if OK. Ron, I’ll get back to the “farmboy rifle” eventually, too. Nate, I agree that a plain rifle needs to be well done, as there is little distraction. Such a plain rifle is a great way to teach design and stocking to someone wishing to learn for the same reasons.
The linseed oil has darkened – probably X 3, partly from dirt picked up in use over 25 years. Eric – I agree that a rifle with no finish is strange – but there it was on the wall at Dixon’s. The stock was a soft, faded gray like bare barn wood – could have been some slight finish originally, but no sign after 200 plus years of use, including conversion to percussion. That’s what struck me, so I copied it as a conversation piece.
I started this post with the surprising original rifle, and discussed this example and other plain rifles with Jack Brooks. We have also seen several Lehigh styled rifles stocked by a fine maker as Mike mentioned, but not taken as far. These were finished rifles, not like the unfinished Dixon rifle, but the charm and simplicity were the same. We also wondered how long it took the old masters to stock a rifle, where could they work fast and where might they slow down? Henry Leman’s best stockers could assemble one or two trade rifles in a day! Made neatly with good lines, but specialization and repetition led to speed. Research in the Moravian records shows a variety of price points for rifles, and descriptions from a plain stock with no mounts to complete and carved pieces.
So in spring 1995 I talked Jack into stocking a plain ca 1780 Lancaster style smooth rifle, where we would document the work and keep track of his time.
Day one began with a maple plank, custom lock and barrel, sand cast mounts and brass and iron sheet. First morning the stock was cut to a pattern, breechplug fitted and tang shaped, and the barrel with plug inlet with gouge, chisel and scraper in 4-5 hours. Stock was trimmed, flipped and ramrod groove established, the ramrod hole drilled, barrel lugs installed and barrel pinned in place. Lock panels were established and the lock inlet as a unit without disassembly, lock bolts drilled and tapped, trigger plate made and inlet and the tang bolt installed. End of day one had the lock, stock and barrel together but no trigger - 10 hours work with lunch.
Day two – trigger made, inlet and pinned, layout lines with castoff, buttplate filed up and installed. Trigger guard casting filed up and installed, a sideplate sketched, cut, inlet and lock bolts finished. Ramrod pipes were formed, filed and inlet – forward pipes while stock in square, and entry pipe later when stock was shaped. Sling swivels made and stock shaping began with chisels, plane and rasps from square to final shape. Day two ended with the rifle mostly assembled and stock shaped from lock back – another 10 hour day.
Day three – shaped the forend, made and installed a two piece nosecap and ramrod entry pipe, front and rear sights made and installed. Touchhole was drilled and tapered, and barrel signed with maker’s name and year. Homemade Aquafortis applied and heated, then linseed oil rubbed on. A tapered ramrod of hickory was made with a reversible worm and iron tip pinned at breech end, stained and oiled. About midday on the 3rd day, the rifle was ready for the customer. We spent a bit of time boning the linseed oil into the stock and reviewing the project – photos of the project are included in the
American Tradition article. Barrel and lock were left white as usual and the brass mounts burnished. A ca 1780’s Lancaster rifle from a blank and castings in two and a half days.
Not stocked in a day like the Leman trade rifles, but the work was done in a workmanlike manner, and may represent what the old masters did as a rule. When this rifle is displayed, most really like it and see it as a common “working man’s rifle”. Jack was asked to build more plain rifles, and I so enjoyed the project that I approached other builders at CLA shows to ask if they would do something similar – if not a 3 day rifle, then the simplest rifle they felt comfortable putting their name on. Jud Brennan was next up - more to come if interested. But please consider this approach and the time spent. How does this compare to how we work?
