Jaeger rifle stock options?

[Jakob]

I'm still very new at this, so apologies in advance!

I'm going to jump into the deep end and make my first build a Jaeger rifle...or well, at least a Jaeger-like rifle. (Depending on how successful I am).
31" .62 cal swamped barrel, (Rice or Colerain, TBD). I've already put an order in for Chambers round-faced Germanic lock as I think it looks much better than the 'flat'..the rest of the hardware, not decided yet.

However, I'm not quite sure where the best place to get the stock from would be?
Initially I was looking at Pecatonica, but theirs comes with a 36" barrel, which , while they may have existed, doesn't seem quite right.
I then looked at Dunlaps kits, but they only do up to .58 can for their stock pattern.
Muzzleloaderbuildersupply doesn't ship to Canada (I'm in BC) and while getting stuff shipped to Point Roberts, WA and picking it up there is possible, I would like to avoid it. They also don't currently have any .62 cal stock in stock.

I'm not looking for an Ikea set, but I also don't want to start from a blank for my first build and would like the general stock shaped, ramrod drilled and at least the barrel mostly done.

Am I missing other options?.
Ideally, I would like to have the majority of the parts sourced by April/May.

Would it be feasible to take Dunlaps pattern and manually extend it to .62 cal?

I've collected as many references as I could find, I got Shumways book and I got Mike Miller's Jaeger rifle DVD on the way. I got Recreating the American Longrifle and the Gunsmith of Grenville County + various youtube channels and aren't too scared of the build process itself.
I'm sure mistakes will be made, but that's how you learn, right?

[martin9]

Just call Pecatonica and tell them what you want. He can inlet that 31" barrel into his Jaeger stock most likely.

[Ron Scott]

PM sent

[Craig Wilcox]

Ron Scott, above, makes some of the finest Jaeger rifles these days.  He also teaches classes, and provides carving molds, and cast carving furniture.  And - some of the very best English Walnut blanks to be found.

[smylee grouch]

Another option: Call Dave Keck, he has several stock styles of his own and most if not all of Fred Millers styles to choose from. Just send him the barrel and he will inlet it with RR hole and grove shaped to the style you choose. I think he also sells casting and other parts that you might need. Knob Mt. Muzzleloading I think. Google it.

[acorn20]

Get the wood from Ron and then follow Smylee's suggestion.  Muzzleloaders Builders Supply has plenty of hardware to choose from.
You've got the right lock and sources for barrel.

[tecum-tha]

Ron Scott for Walnut Planks.
Most important is that you choose furniture from the correct time period of your rifle.
High baroque stuff does not go well with later high roccoco stuff.
In essence, jaeger rifles where spanning several stylistic periods. That's why it is important to know when the original you style the rifle after was built.
The period of 1730-1750 can be seen as an overlapping period of styles "late late baroque" and " early rococco", but styles were not mixed.
Baroque rifles were generally more elaborate.
Then, there are regional differences. For example Southern German( Bavaria, Wuerrtemberg, Badenia) are known for wooden trigger guards, Austrian, Middle German (Hessia) and Northen German/Dutch. Then of course Franco Germanic styles along the Rhine River. Northern German/Dutch and Franco Germanic used more steel furniture in general.
Stylistically, Czech, Slovakian and other styles were close to the Austrian Styles, becasue they were part of the Austrian-Hungarian Double Kingdom.
 

[Mike Brooks]

Ron Scott for Walnut Planks.
Most important is that you choose furniture from the correct time period of your rifle.
High baroque stuff does not go well with later high roccoco stuff.
In essence, jaeger rifles where spanning several stylistic periods. That's why it is important to know when the original you style the rifle after was built.
The period of 1730-1750 can be seen as an overlapping period of styles "late late baroque" and " early rococco", but styles were not mixed.
Baroque rifles were generally more elaborate.
Then, there are regional differences. For example Southern German( Bavaria, Wuerrtemberg, Badenia) are known for wooden trigger guards, Austrian, Middle German (Hessia) and Northen German/Dutch. Then of course Franco Germanic styles along the Rhine River. Northern German/Dutch and Franco Germanic used more steel furniture in general.
Stylistically, Czech, Slovakian and other styles were close to the Austrian Styles, becasue they were part of the Austrian-Hungarian Double Kingdom.

Is that right? I don't think any of this is close to relevant for the OP's current capabilities.

[Jakob]

Thanks for the tips!.

I actually spoke with Dave Keck this morning and just got off the phone with Ron Scott.

As I told Ron, as much I love the look of his stocks, it would be a shame to sacrifice this on my first one, as mistakes will undoubtedly be made and I hope that this wont be my only build. (But we still had a nice chat!).

Dave Keck would be happy to cut one for me, but looking at at least 3-4 months wait, once I get the stock/barrel to him.

I have yet to speak with Pecatonica, but will definitely give them a call. (I did email them before Christmas, but never heard anything back).

As for style, I think the first will be fairly non-descript and while I was initially enamored by some of the fancy furniture, I'm now leaning more towards simple. Basic moldings, sure, but not a whole lot of decoration until I'm a lot more confident in my skills.

[t.caster]

There is also Mark Weader at Jack's Mountain Stock Co. who does an excellent job inletting, etc.  Ph.(717) 543-5370
And I would recommend a simple military style (Thomas Pistor style) for a first attempt at a Jaeger.

[Keith Zimmerman]

Nothing wrong with a 36 in barrel.  My original has a 36 in barrel.  Colerain copied it so Bill Slusser can make me a copy of the rifle.

[tecum-tha]

These are two simpler decorated, but top quality rifles from the same maker:

https://www.hermann-historica.de/en/auctions/lot/id/408495

http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2014/01/german-jaeger-rifle-made-by-haman.html

The Revolutionary War German Contingency Troops came from Ansbach and from Hessia. The form of this triggerguard was obviously quite typical for the region of Middle Frankonia.
The British also got contract military jaeger rifles from this area.

[Jakob]

http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2014/01/german-jaeger-rifle-made-by-haman.html

I quite like this one, thanks!

[alacran]

As far as stock options go, most Jaegers were made using walnut, however some were made out of maple as well as fruitwoods.

[tecum-tha]

Best correct option in fruitwood is cherry.

[Mike Brooks]

Best correct option in fruitwood is cherry.

[t.caster]

Guys, it's his first build as I understand it, KEEP IT SIMPLE and affordable! Stick with black walnut, it is easy to work with, not circasian walnut, maple or cherry.
Jaegers come in all shapes and sizes. Here are three very different one I've built in the past, all .62 cal.
Top is a Military style, middle is a Brandenburg style and bottom is an American re-stock of Jeager parts similar to RCA-19. Food for thought.

[rich pierce]

Great examples. The so called twin to rifle 19 in Rifles of Colonial America is a good choice to model a short rifle used here. The Vrooman-owned jaeger is another, and quite short.
Vrooman jaeger here https://www.icollector.com/Important-American-associated-flintlock-Jaeger-rifle-ca-1740-36-overall-with-a-21-1-4-barrel-of_i8788183

Discussion here https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=65104.25
And here https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=65865.0

[Mike Brooks]

Guys, it's his first build as I understand it, KEEP IT SIMPLE and affordable! Stick with black walnut, it is easy to work with, not circasian walnut, maple or cherry.
Jaegers come in all shapes and sizes. Here are three very different one I've built in the past, all .62 cal.
Top is a Military style, middle is a Brandenburg style and bottom is an American re-stock of Jeager parts similar to RCA-19. Food for thought.

Nice assortment of shorties. I like them. I have three short barrels I need to get into some walnut.

[smylee grouch]

In that this will be a first build I think Tom's examples would be great. Nice lines and subdued decoration will make for a good learning experience with a very believable shooter.

[tecum-tha]

The short Jaeger rifles are called "Stutzen" while a regular length rifle is called "Buechse".  The verb "stutzen" means "to shorten or to trim". So a stutzen is a "shortened gun"
The "Stutzen" is generally rifled or smooth and of large caliber. It is the equivalent to a "stopping" rifle. It is generally used in thick forest going after wounded wild boar. The short length is required to point the rifle when the boar attacks.
Still, today there are modern shorter rifles for hunting in the Alps which are called "Bergstutzen"="Mountain Stutzen".
The Stutzen was quite common as a hunting gun. This is a nice pair here. Steel furniture is north-west, trigger guard is middle to northern style.
https://www.hermann-historica.de/de/auctions/lot/id/408491

[Jakob]

Given that they're from Utrecht, northern style would make sense!.

Jaegers come in all shapes and sizes. Here are three very different one I've built in the past, all .62 cal.
Top is a Military style, middle is a Brandenburg style and bottom is an American re-stock of Jeager parts similar to RCA-19. Food for thought.

Thanks!

I was actually just looking at the Brandenburg styles in Shumways book and that seems like a worthwhile goal to aim for.

I'm originally from Denmark, but have German ancestry, which may be why I'm so attracted to this style of gun.

[alacran]

In Shumway's book there are several Danish guns that are very nice.

[Jakob]

In Shumway's book there are several Danish guns that are very nice.

Yes and way (way!) to elaborate for me to attempt to replicate.

[tecum-tha]

Here is a Stutzen in action (on target).
Not really an eleborate one, but a nice and interesting lock.

Horseback, yes, but the longer ones to about 30 barrel can be handled on horse,too.