Christian Springs Oerter Rifle Stock

[Ats5331]

Where could one find a stock pattern similar to the Oerter Rifle? Some places have a Marshall pattern, but it's not a match..

Thanks!

[FALout]

You will likely have to find the right blank and remove the unwanted wood till you have the correct stock.  All kidding aside, starting from a blank is the only way to go, now getting the proper hardware can be harder for some style of rifles.  Good luck.
Bob

[smylee grouch]

You might try Dave Keck at Knob Mountain. He has a lot of his own patterns plus a lot of Fred Miller's old patterns.

[blienemann]

OP, you mention a stock pattern for the Oerter Rifle. Is there a particular rifle you wish to copy?

We have been fortunate to find about ten Oerter rifles thus far. It appears that a stock pattern was used, but the pull and drop vary quite a bit. The barrel breech and lock establish the dimensions there, and with the buttplate, they define the buttstock. Oerter used both English and German styled locks, with wood or cast brass patchboxes which vary to fit the buttplate, one carved rifle and many with wire inlay.

You might find photos and enlarge them - the Kentucky Rifle Foundation has books and CD's of photos of many of his rifles. Or find a recent copy of a rifle you like, and trace it. Good luck with your project. Bob

[Mike Brooks]

Where could one find a stock pattern similar to the Oerter Rifle? Some places have a Marshall pattern, but it's not a match..

Thanks!

get your parts and draw it out. I do this with every gun I make.

[Chowmi]

Where could one find a stock pattern similar to the Oerter Rifle? Some places have a Marshall pattern, but it's not a match..

Thanks!

Ats,
Just to clarify, do you mean a profile from which you can build a gun from a blank, or do you mean a pre-carved stock in the Oerter style from which you can build your own version? 
I don't think there are any pre-carves offered that are in the Oerter style (although I could be wrong).  And if there aren't, you are unlikely to be able to modify a pre-carve to match the profile, and especially the beefy buttstock on an Oerter gun.
If you are building from a blank, then there are a few resources you might find useful.  Blienemann, who posted above has written two books on Christian's Spring rifles and their makers. Especially in his second book, he shows variations in the stock patterns used in that shop.  His books are hard to get ahold of, because so many gunmakers want them, but if you can get a copy, it is invaluable. 
Secondly, look for the Kentucky Rifle Association's photo CD sets.  There is a CD of Early Moravian guns that will provide great insight.  If you are able, you may be able to blow those up to create a stock profile.  I have done that before.
Lastly, although I cannot speak to availability, Jack Brooks (website here:https://www.jsbrookslongrifles.com) has a profile for Oerter guns that as of a few years ago he would sell to folks.    Jack, along with Bob Lienemann, have studied numerous Christian's Spring rifles up close and are a font of knowledge about them. 

Edit:  If you can get the profiles from Jack Brooks, that would be the most accurate you could get.  He created them from the originals, in hand.  I highly recommend them. 

Cheers,
Norm

[acorn20]

Bob Lienemann has an excellent article in the latest Muzzleloader Magazine regarding a new found Oerter rifle.  A great read with detailed pictures and dimensions.  I would think you could enlarge the pictures for what you want.

[Ats5331]

Sorry to be so long answering the thread questions.

Looking to copy the Griffin rifle. Getting the stock cut now and barrel inlet.

Bob, that was an awesome article that you wrote for Muzzleloader. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the history about Oerter and Aaron Hankinson. That rifle is a work of art.

I actually have ancestors who lived about 9-10 miles away from Christian Springs near the Northampton area.

[Chowmi]

Sorry to be so long answering the thread questions.

Looking to copy the Griffin rifle. Getting the stock cut now and barrel inlet.

Bob, that was an awesome article that you wrote for Muzzleloader. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the history about Oerter and Aaron Hankinson. That rifle is a work of art.

I actually have ancestors who lived about 9-10 miles away from Christian Springs near the Northampton area.

Jack Brooks has the Griffing rifle profile.  He's the one who restored it.

Norm

[elkhorne]

Which issue of Muzzleloader Magazine was the Oerter rifle article in? Thanks.
elkhorne

[Wayne Holcombe]

March / April 2021