"Kentucky" Style Half-Stock Rifles

[Seth Isaacson]

The half-stock rifles aside from the Hawken rifles don't seem to get a ton of love, but there are some absolute beauties out there. I've always particularly liked the early eastern half-stock rifles that still have traditional longrifle characteristics such as nicely engraved brass patchboxes. There were some fine half-stocks coming out of Philadelphia for example in the early percussion period by Tryon, Krider, Deringer, and others. Does anyone have some they'd like to show?

Here's mine from John Krider's shop. Purchased from a fellow member here after previously passing through Rock Island Auction. I have shot this rifle occasionally, and it shoots pretty well.:

[Dave Peelgren]

I like that rifle would like to see the cheek rest side.

[Seth Isaacson]

[Jacob_S_P]

Inhave an absolute treasure of a half stock, SW VA rifle, but it is on display at a museum and I don't keep pics on phone. However there are some very fine examples out there, but they don't typically get as much attention as they deserve, you are correct.

[cshirsch]

John H. Howard, Alabama. 

[Eric Kettenburg]

Those two are both belles of the ball - spectacular.  They look like new, so I hope they're being popped off or otherwise used periodically.  Just fantastic.

[smylee grouch]

Jacob Kuntz made a super nice one, I think after he moved to Philadelphia In 1810 or so. Pics were in one of George Schumways books IIRC.

[Seth Isaacson]

John H. Howard, Alabama. 

This is exactly the kind of rifle I was hoping to see. That one is awesome and has a lot of interesting details. I particularly love the gator and the engraving on the wearplate.

[cshirsch]

Here's an unrestored, attic found rifle.  Maybe New York of Philidelphia made.
























host photo

[Shreckmeister]

The hand that engraved the patchbox and wear plate doesn't look like the hand that engraved the alligator to me.  Great rifle.

[cshirsch]

The hand that engraved the patchbox and wear plate doesn't look like the hand that engraved the alligator to me.  Great rifle.

Completely different

[Seth Isaacson]

Yeah I see that too. I wonder if the gator was added or if some parts were professionally engraved and the gator was engraved by the gunmaker himself?

cshirsch's rifle also looks really nice. In addition to being nice half-stock rifles, these also show that the too often maligned back action lock rifles can certainly be beautiful and well-made rifles.

[Bob Roller]

I have always preferred these half stock rifles and wonder why anyone would go to the extra work of full length stock.I suppose it was the customs of those times to make full length stocks.Judd Brennan told me when we talked at one of the CLA shows that he could make six or more plain and simple rifles in the same length of time as it took him to make the fancy one I was looking at.When I got interested in the
muzzle loading rifle there were few if any flintlock rifles seen and the few that were at one time used with flintlocks all had been changed to a drum and nipple.I started in 1951 and my first shootable* muzzle loader was a 58 caliber English carbine with "Tower"1860 on the lock and it came with a small round tin box with the label saying "J.Goldmarks military rifle caps" and was dated 1865.They worked!
Bob Roller
*Actually the first muzzle loading gun and none before that one.

[cshirsch]

Yeah I see that too. I wonder if the gator was added or if some parts were professionally engraved and the gator was engraved by the gunmaker himself?

cshirsch's rifle also looks really nice. In addition to being nice half-stock rifles, these also show that the too often maligned back action lock rifles can certainly be beautiful and well-made rifles.

The alligator is original to the rifle and not added later.

[cshirsch]

Here's a fine quality rifle by J. Haberstro, New York.  The cheek rest inlay is fantastic!

[snapper]

Seth

You are making me wish I never sold that rifle!

I am glad that it went to someone that appreciates it and will shoot it more then I ever would.

Fleener

[Seth Isaacson]

Yeah I see that too. I wonder if the gator was added or if some parts were professionally engraved and the gator was engraved by the gunmaker himself?

cshirsch's rifle also looks really nice. In addition to being nice half-stock rifles, these also show that the too often maligned back action lock rifles can certainly be beautiful and well-made rifles.

The alligator is original to the rifle and not added later.

I wasn't meaning to suggest it was added later, so my apologies if that came across that way. I meant that it was probably a custom made piece added to a set of furniture at the time the rifle was built.

Seth

You are making me wish I never sold that rifle!

I am glad that it went to someone that appreciates it and will shoot it more then I ever would.

Fleener

I'm really glad you did though. I'll definitely be holding onto this one.

[Seth Isaacson]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CeAKautFGrN/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[Avlrc]

John H. Howard, Alabama. 













[/quote
Great Patchbox

[Avlrc]

& a lot of other neat stuff.  Thanks for sharing

[RAT]

This is the same J. H. Howard rifle pictured on page 36 of "Notes on Southern Long Rifles-Vol 3" by Jerry Noble.

[cshirsch]

This is the same J. H. Howard rifle pictured on page 36 of "Notes on Southern Long Rifles-Vol 3" by Jerry Noble.

Yes, I sent Jerry the photos.