studying originals?

[smoke and flames]

Eric   I think you are correct. There does seem to be a hint of a JR. I never noticed that before Thanks

[smoke and flames]

The red color is actually part of the finish and not a stain. There is some wear to the finish around the patch box lid if you zoom in. Also the fore end cap is open ended at the muzzle which is typical I am told

[wvcruffler]

So I got it into my head that I was going to build a tribute rifle to the Virginia Manufactory Rifle 1st model after falling in love with the patchbox and then the story on that manufactory and the role it played in local (VA, WV) history. I found some examples at the museum in Richmond and was quite surprised that I was able to set a day and closely examine, measure, and photograph 3 of them. I figured I would just be looking at them through a glass display but I was hands on the rifles. Now, I probably didn't make all the correct measurements but I got the jist of thngs and was able to find a stock that was in the ballpark in terms of drop etc and got most of the lock and patchbox from TRS. Theirs is cast in steel so I am now trying to duplicate them in brass. Anyway - when I vacation I hit museums and photograph as many pre-cartridge rfiles as I see. Portugal was nice, Spain was nice and I'm headed to Scotland this summer. While I will never likely amount to much as a builder because I am simply not artistic I have thoroughly enjoyed this trip so far.
My only completed build so far outside of Traditions? Kibler Woodsrunner!
drPhil

[Mattox Forge]

So I got it into my head that I was going to build a tribute rifle to the Virginia Manufactory Rifle 1st model after falling in love with the patchbox and then the story on that manufactory and the role it played in local (VA, WV) history. I found some examples at the museum in Richmond and was quite surprised that I was able to set a day and closely examine, measure, and photograph 3 of them. I figured I would just be looking at them through a glass display but I was hands on the rifles. Now, I probably didn't make all the correct measurements but I got the jist of thngs and was able to find a stock that was in the ballpark in terms of drop etc and got most of the lock and patchbox from TRS. Theirs is cast in steel so I am now trying to duplicate them in brass. Anyway - when I vacation I hit museums and photograph as many pre-cartridge rfiles as I see. Portugal was nice, Spain was nice and I'm headed to Scotland this summer. While I will never likely amount to much as a builder because I am simply not artistic I have thoroughly enjoyed this trip so far.
My only completed build so far outside of Traditions? Kibler Woodsrunner!
drPhil

drPhil,

I did the same thing at the VA Museum of History. I was amazed at their helpfulness and willingness to get more stuff out, even one's I hadn't scheduled for the visit. They have a nice collection of those rifles.

I happen to have the TRS castings in brass, but would like the steel ones if you want to swap.

Mike

[Clint]

I think that a lot of misinformation about stock design and scantlings comes from a full generation of shooters who got into muzzle loading with Thomson Center type guns. My two pet peeves are flat sided fore arms and very wide lock moldings. You might consider creating a line of accurate drawings which included measured cross sections. I know that there are drawings available but the accuracy is perhaps not up to par. I was reading government blue prints in my early 20's and there was no question of what the finished piece would look like.

[rich pierce]

I think that a lot of misinformation about stock design and scantlings comes from a full generation of shooters who got into muzzle loading with Thomson Center type guns. My two pet peeves are flat sided fore arms and very wide lock moldings. You might consider creating a line of accurate drawings which included measured cross sections. I know that there are drawings available but the accuracy is perhaps not up to par. I was reading government blue prints in my early 20's and there was no question of what the finished piece would look like.

Eric Von Aschwege has quite a few very accurate blueprints of American longrifles available. Lehighs are his specialty but he has others as well.

[Lone Wolf]

My two pet peeves are flat sided fore arms and very wide lock moldings.

Indeed, I dream of a better world without so many gaudy lock moldings at large.

[Eric Kettenburg]

Too much wood - i.e. large 'rounded' humps - left between the barrel tang and the upper edge of the lock/sideplate panels will absolutely murder any piece.  It's a common mistake made by almost everyone early on, especially if one hasn't had a chance to see either an antique or a well-shaped contemporary arm.

[ColonialRifleSmith]

I’m not talking about having to, but rather wanting to.  Some study even though they aren’t builders.

Hi Jim,
It is my personal opinion, and you know what they say about opinions, if one is going to delve into this sport, they should at least know what they are getting into as far as the history and proper operation of the weapon. I've assembled many of your kits for buyers who thought they were going to sit in front of the TV and snap it together. I have been building muskets and rifles since the early 70s, when the only kits that were available were CVA's.
Back then, as close as possible to historical accuracy was the order of the day. I still have, and hunt with, the 1st rifle I ever built.
I think I've gotten off the subject. Well, I got into ML because I've always been a history buff. Many of the people getting into ML today don't even know how to load or shoot the dang things, much less the history behind them.
I do pray that no one gets injured due to a lack of knowledge.
Rick

[utseabee]

   For those that can make it, here is a great show for people to see and handle original long rifles. There are always some very nice examples at this show. This is a great learning opportunity as a lot of the rifles can be handled and the show is open to the public. This year's KRF display is Nicholis Beyer rifles. You won't regret it if you attend!

[Cory Joe Stewart]

I see this with a lot of things.  A good friend of mine is a die hard reenactor.  He spends so much time focusing on stitching and button location but his firearms and powder horn (which came from a gift shop) look terrible and he honestly cannot see why they do not look right. 

Cory Joe

[JJMarsh]

One way to increase interest in original rifles is to organize regular online presentations or short videos comparing originals and replicas, highlighting the key details that make originals unique. It could also be helpful to create virtual museums where people can view high-quality images and details of original rifles. This would be especially valuable for those who don't have access to museums or private collections.

[JTR]

It could also be helpful to create virtual museums where people can view high-quality images and details of original rifles. This would be especially valuable for those who don't have access to museums or private collections.

Take a look at this page, here on this forum. https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?board=21.0

Theres a huge amount of info and pictures on these pages, submitted by forum members several years ago.

Obviously, the best way to get the word out on these old guns is with a social media platform. But the biggest problem is that very few people have any interest in such things.
John