Author Topic: Alfred Gross Style Rifle (Read 3091 times)

Mark Elliott · « **on:** March 02, 2019, 01:57:39 AM »

I finally finished an Alfred Gross style rifle that I have been working on for a while. I have spent the past month and a half picking at the finish trying to age it, but not so much as to completely obscure the figure. I finally just decided to call it done. I am never quite sure what to do with an iron mounted gun. I think I am going to finish the next one for myself as-new, charcoal blued.

There is a custom barrel on this rifle made by Ed Rayl. It is a copy of the barrel on the famous silver mounted Alfred Gross rifle. The barrel is 47" long in 45 caliber and the muzzle is larger than the breech at a little over 1". Ed sent me a breech plug with a 10" tang that I forged out to the over the comb tang you see. I used an L&R late English lock. It was the closest thing I could find to what was on the original Gross flintlocks. The mounts were as close a match to the originals as I could manage. I am pretty sure I had to make three or four guards to get the one I ended up using. The rear thimble was also a challenge. It is soldered up out of three parts.

This is a big, heavy rifle at 11 lbs 5 ozs. The pull is 14". The overall length is about 64".

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2019, 02:13:35 AM »

You are a great gunbuilder Mark, I wish you would build more than what you are now. This is a really great gun.

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2019, 02:17:23 AM »

That is very nice of you to say, Mike. However, this is the last gun I plan to build for a customer. My future gun projects are for me, and I plan to concentrate on bags and horns.

Craig Wilcox · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2019, 03:05:01 AM »

Mark, that is an outstanding job on that rifle. I am sure that the next ones that you build, for yourself, will be equally as lovely as this one is.

vanu · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2019, 03:14:26 AM »

Mark,

Wonderful!

Looks very familiar, is that the Gross rifle that was discussed in Robin Hale's article on Tennessee Rifles years ago in the ASAC journal?

Bruce

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2019, 03:17:43 AM »

This is not a copy of a particular Alfred Gross rifle, but is based on several of his rifles.

vanu · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2019, 03:21:25 AM »

Mark,

Thank you for the clarification; it really did spark a memory, this will save me looking through old journal articles!!

Really a superb rifle!

Bruce

louieparker · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2019, 06:27:11 AM »

Mark you did a great job ! Not an easy rifle to copy.. I want to mention your butt plate in particular, you really nailed the shape. On a Tenn. rifle if the butt plate isn't shaped the right way it spoils the rest of the rifle. .. LP

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2019, 06:37:58 AM »

Louie,

I am glad you are pleased with the result. I was hoping you would be, as you helped me a lot with the build. The butt piece was one of the easiest parts. I guess I got lucky on that.

Best,

Mark

BOB HILL · « **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2019, 07:18:00 AM »

You certainly did a great job on that rifle, Mark. I think your finish is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Bob

Angus · « **Reply #10 on:** March 02, 2019, 03:57:40 PM »

Super Southern! Love the trigger guard! I have been there with you needing to make several, for me it is more practice required.
Mark, what kind of silver did you use?

Bob Roller · « **Reply #11 on:** March 02, 2019, 04:24:26 PM »

With one exception,every gun I have made has been "gross"

Bob Roller

louieparker · « **Reply #12 on:** March 02, 2019, 05:51:51 PM »

Vanu
The rifle Robin spoke of in the article is the Silver Gross that Mark mentioned. The guard on it is overlaid with silver... Mark copied his rifles decoration after a rifle with a brass overlaid guard. This rifle was made for Chrisley Peters of Sullivan County Tenn..(1810 - 1908) It remained in the Peters family until it was sold by a Peters in 1994.. There is a photo of Chrisley holding this rifle taken prior to 1908..,

smart dog · « **Reply #13 on:** March 02, 2019, 05:56:10 PM »

Quote from: Mike Brooks on March 02, 2019, 02:13:35 AM

You are a great gunbuilder Mark, I wish you would build more than what you are now. This is a really great gun.

I agree totally with Mike. Your attention to detail and commitment to high quality work is wonderful.

dave

Cades Cove Fiddler · « **Reply #14 on:** March 02, 2019, 06:16:36 PM »

... WOW,.... you got her right, Mark,...!!! ... everything looks correct,... you could even fool A.F. Gross himself,... If Louie says it's right,... It's RIGHT,....(and Louie knows,....!!).... bring her to Knoxville,... after everybody inspects her, there should be plenty of applied "ageing",... !!! ... I might need to make an appointment to inspect her there myself,....GREAT JOB,....!!! ... regards,... Cades Cove Fiddler,......

rennikselum · « **Reply #15 on:** March 02, 2019, 10:00:19 PM »

Really Cool rifle Mark! Fantastic work as usual from you. Look forward to all of your creations.

Thanks for sharing!

Jeff

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2019, 02:56:44 AM »

Mark as others have said you nailed it..! Oldtravler

Ed Wenger · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2019, 05:05:49 AM »

Excellent work, Mark! Love that trigger guard and finish...

Ed

Nordnecker · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2019, 03:33:00 PM »

That's a very distinctive rifle. You could easily recognize it from across the room.

Marcruger · « **Reply #19 on:** March 03, 2019, 04:22:12 PM »

Dramatic, bold and cool Mark. I think that is one where the owner will get more and more attached to it over the years. Very unique. Well done sir! God Bless, Marc

RobertS · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2019, 05:32:47 PM »

For anyone interested, there's a picture of Chrisley Peters with his Alfred Gross rifle on the contemporary makers blog here:
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tSufkFsLa5k/XKEcZ5fCFTI/AAAAAAAB2jE/Ldl_VvCslH8PdIG-SU0K8Vxq24Cd8hligCLcBGAs/s320/0.jpg

bama · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2019, 06:22:36 PM »

For those that think that all southern guns are rough and crude, please take a good look at this rifle. The fit and finish are as good as any. Well done Mark, it is a wonderful rifle.

rick/pa · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2019, 06:26:03 PM »

What an interesting gun! My education has been sadly lacking as I've never seen this before. Great job!

Bob Roller · « **Reply #23 on:** April 05, 2019, 10:57:55 PM »

Quote from: rick/pa on April 04, 2019, 06:26:03 PM

What an interesting gun! My education has been sadly lacking as I've never seen this before. Great job!

Old Alfred may have been "Gross" but there is nothing gross about that rifle.
A fine job by any standards.

Bob Roller

Cades Cove Fiddler · « **Reply #24 on:** April 06, 2019, 12:19:57 AM »

... Louie ... are there any photos available of that Peters rifle,... ? .. I don't recall seeing that one,.... See you in Knoxville,...!!!... Regards,... CCF,...

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Author Topic: Alfred Gross Style Rifle (Read 3091 times)