Sunday, January 31, 2016

Belt Pistol by Steve Lodding

This pistol has an over all length of 10". The 5.5" tapered barrel is hand turned by maker and has a patent breech. It is a .62 cal. having a applied damascus finish and proof and maker marks stamped at the breech. The lock is a reworked round faced "Becky" by Davis. There is no forward lock screw because the lock has been fitted with a hook that captures a screw head in the lock mortise. This eliminates the downward force that will break/crack the lock mortise. The purpose of this is to allow a larger ramrod, one that you can actually use! The pistol is stocked in figured Maple with a poured nose cap and all the hardware is brass. The tang, barrel and trigger guard are engraved.

Supplied copy and photos.

Painting by Elizabeth Lee Gaul

Photo by Jan Riser.

Friday, January 29, 2016

Silver Snuff Box by Mitch Yates

Early 18th Century Silver Snuff Box based on one in the Winterthur Collection.


Copy and photos supplied by Mitch Yates.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Haversack by Clifton Hicks

Coarse linen body with a cotton lining, antler button, cotton web shoulder strap.    




Copy by Clifton Hicks with photos by Robyn Latham.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Tomahawks by Wallace Gusler

These are tomahawks by Wallace Gusler which were made in 2015. Wallace is from Williamsburg, Virginia and was featured in The Gunsmith of Williamsburg in 1968. He is still very active in Long rifle making and research. In 2015 Wallace made 12 hand forged tomahawks for customers. Jim Wright videoed the process. The Video will be released for contemporary makers who are interested in forging one. These 2 here have flawless forging and filing. The engraving is as good as one can do in the 18th century Rococo style. The silver inlayed tomahawk is stocked in curly maple. The other is in curly ash. Both are fire blued and the sterling silver inlays in the heads turns gold with heat. The antler tips are from a white tail deer that is 80 years old. The clean out screw is hand tapered and filed.  Wallace said these are a tough job. The signature is on the top and was made for a man we all depend on barrel maker Ed Rayl. 

Wallace Gusler will be at the Lake Cumberland Show in February.












Copy and photos supplied by Steve Boyleston.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Knife and Sheath by Jud Brennan




















Photographed at the Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show by Jan Riser.

Monday, January 25, 2016

David Rase for Gina Hansen

This rifle was commissioned by Erik Hansen as a Christmas gift for his wife Gina for Christmas 2015.  Gina wanted a slim, dark stained, steel mounted percussion rifle.  The rest was up to me to create a rifle that pleased as well as fit her.  This rifle has a .38" B weight 50 caliber barrel that I shortened 2" at the muzzle.  Gina was not completely sold on a flintlock so the lock we choose was a Jim Chambers Golden age percussion conversion lock.  This will allow her to convert it to flint should she ever decide to take the plunge.  The patchbox is a collaboration of a brass Lexington captured lid box with the surround inspired from carving accenting a German Jaeger wooden patchbox.  All the metal parts were rust browned.  The stock was finished with an application of aqua fortis, then a coat of red stain.  It was then flooded with a couple of coats of tinted linseed oil, allowed to soak in and any excess rubbed off.  Additional coats of linseed oil were rubbed on in very thin coats.  Half the fun of this build was that as you can see, it follows no particular school, but in my opinion, is a very plausible colonial rifle.











Copy and photos supplied by David Rase.