Johannes Neff

[KShatwell]

Not usually a fan of Berks county rifles, I found this rifle intriguing because it to me was so unusual not only some in architecture but also in the use of horn, pottery and bone in decoration.  So using some parts on hand, I decided to try a copy.  So here it is . Photos are from my phone so not the greatest. Let me know what you think; positive and negative happily accepted.
               Ken Shatwell

[Stoner creek]

 It takes a lot of courage to step out of that comfort zone and incorporate other medias. Congratulations for taking that step. I believe that we as makers should go a little “out there” from time to time. I have some ideas for an upcoming project that will look a little bit out of norm.
W

[rich pierce]

Very cool! You ain’t skeered! I can think of another builder who tackles that kind of stuff, maybe 2. Nicely done.

[Craig Wilcox]

938 (I hope it's OK to use your first name) - I'd like to see some close up pics of your "unusual" decorations.  Bet they look super!!

Wayne - purple with pink and green polka-dots?  It'll stand out in anyone's gunrack!

Craig

[Kevin]

938783,

Thanks for sharing the photos of your work.  I've always been intrigued by the original piece since first seeing it decades ago in my now tattered copy of Shumway's "Longrifles of Note."

Welcome to the forum,
Kevin

[blienemann]

Hi Ken, and thanks for posting this special rifle. As Craig asked, do you have some closeups of the patchbox and other details? how do you find horn, and then work it as a large inlay? What did you use for the inlay in the pbox finial?

Do you have any info on Neff, or on the original rifle? Is that supposed to be a chalice in horn with the pbox sideplates? Very interesting decorations, wonder what he was thinking at the time?

Not to steal your thunder, but maybe we could start a thread on old and contemporary makers who thought outside the norm. As Rich mentioned, a few like you, Eric, Ian and Ken G come to mind. Thanks for a really interesting post. Bob

[Mike Brooks]

That gun is too cool for school.

[LynnC]

938783.....I hope thats not the combo to the gun safe 

Nice Rifle

[KShatwell]

Craig and Bob: Unfortunately I no longer have the gun, so no better photos. My source for the horn was cow horn which I heated and flattened. The bone came from a Petco dog treat . The inlay on the cheek piece side was supposed to be bone but I was unable a piece of bone large enough; so the inlay was horn instead. As you may imagine both horn and bone proved a little tricky to work with.  Finally the pottery used in the finial of the pb came from a broken up dinner plate.  Thank you for interest and comments.

[blienemann]

[KShatwell]

Located better pictures of the rifle.

[KShatwell]

Additional photos

[blienemann]

Thanks for the extra photos of this unusual rifle and decoration. Wonder what was in his mind, and if Neff did odd work like this, or if it was one off for him.

I hear that you also stock "normal" rifles, and maybe a classic early J Dickert rifle lately? Do you have any photos? Thanks, Bob