Question on Reedy rifles?

[Easternhunter]

Hello Folks! I'm thinking on building a Reedy style riflekit offered by J. Clark up here in Canada.

I really like the fluid lines of this type, but am wondering????In the originals of this school, was the furniture always done on brass or was steel also used. I want to build a hunting rifle and not sure if brass would be the best choice (unless patina'd). How historically correct would steel trimmings be?

Thanks

[Randy Hedden]

I don't believe you would ever see an original Reedy rifle with anything but brass mounts.  As far as that goes, I don't believe you would ever see any original rifle by any Pennsylvania maker with anything but brass mounts.

Randy Hedden

[Easternhunter]

I don't believe you would ever see an original Reedy rifle with anything but brass mounts.  As far as that goes, I don't believe you would ever see any original rifle by any Pennsylvania maker with anything but brass mounts.

Randy Hedden

Really?  I believe I've seen them. can't confirmthat but...haven't there been originals arise that at least used a mixture of brass and steel? of whatever school?

[Don Getz]

I have never seen a Reedy, or for that matter, almost any Pennsylvania longrifle done in iron, or steel.   There might be
some exceptions, especially in the later period of muzzleloading......mid 1800's.     Don

[Ben I. Voss]

Leman rifles sometimes had a mix of iron and brass, but those are later styled guns, not classic golden age PA rifles like Reedy.

[rich pierce]

I'm not sure why the question of steel or iron mounts on Pennsylvania longrifles keeps coming up, when there are zero examples on originals before 1830.  Maybe it's because some catalogue supply houses offer them in steel with absolutely no historical basis for doing so.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

My advice is to build whatever you want.  Who cares if it isn't PC?  Just enjoy yourself.
Now, if you are wanting to get as close as you can to the look and flavour of a Reedy, go with brass furniture.  John's kit makes up into a nice rifle, and it's Reedy styled, but not correct in many ways...parallel barrel, wrong lock.  I made one up from his kit many years ago and liked it a lot.
To really do justice to Reedy or any other original maker, one needs to start with reference material, hours of study, and a plank of maple.

[Easternhunter]

My advice is to build whatever you want.  Who cares if it isn't PC?  Just enjoy yourself.
Now, if you are wanting to get as close as you can to the look and flavour of a Reedy, go with brass furniture.  John's kit makes up into a nice rifle, and it's Reedy styled, but not correct in many ways...parallel barrel, wrong lock.  I made one up from his kit many years ago and liked it a lot.
To really do justice to Reedy or any other original maker, one needs to start with reference material, hours of study, and a plank of maple.

D> Taylor...Thank you. this is what I was thinking to a point. I like being PC, but in my situation, nobody will care much. I like the look of steel, but patina'd brass also works for me...just nothing to bright and shiny.

Thank You for the review(sorta) on Clark's Reedy kit. I like the looks of it alot.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

The stock John did for me was of plain maple and super hard.  It carved really well.  I don't think you'll be disappointed, if he is turning out the same quality that he did thirty years ago.

[Easternhunter]

The stock John did for me was of plain maple and super hard.  It carved really well.  I don't think you'll be disappointed, if he is turning out the same quality that he did thirty years ago.

He told me a couple of weeks ago that he's doing away with the plain maple stocks and going strictly with AAA curly maple this fall. Oughtta be nice!

[t.caster]

Brass is the way to go, and patina is quite quick and easy. Don't worry about spooking game! They will smell you before they see what your rifle is made of. And the deer around here really appreciate being hunted by a fine flinter

[Randy Hedden]

I have never seen a Reedy, or for that matter, almost any Pennsylvania longrifle done in iron, or steel.   There might be
some exceptions, especially in the later period of muzzleloading......mid 1800's.     Don

Don,

You are probably correct. My mind is always stuck in the 18th and very early 19th century, hence my answer about no iron mounts.

Randy Hedden

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Randy and Don...I agree.  Brass is the metal of choice for PA rifles.  Tennessee and Virginia...another story.

[Don Getz]

Ben Voss brought up the Leman rifles being built with iron, or steel hardware.    I was at a local auction many years ago
and a beautiful Leman rifle was sold, had steel hardware, engraved, a really nice rifle.  Unfortunately, the price went over
my head rather quickly.........Don