I get lots of requests for appraisals on antique rifles. Consequently, I felt I should make a general blog and FAQ post on the subject. In order to properly estimate the value of an antique firearm, it must be closely inspected, in person, including disassembly. Additionally, you should seek out an appraiser who routinely buys … Continue reading Appraising Antique Firearms
Category: Blog
18th Century Gunsmithing Tools, Metal Cutting Brace Bits
Below are a couple of metal cutting drill bits for a brace, and the holes they bored in a 1/8″ thick brass plate. Also shown is an 18th century style countersink. I ground and sharpened the drill bits to form approximately 3/16″ and 1/4″ holes. The countersunk hole fits a #10 tang screw. The bits … Continue reading 18th Century Gunsmithing Tools, Metal Cutting Brace Bits
18th Century Gunsmithing Tools, Screw Plate & Circle Cutter
I just added a few more 18th century gunsmithing tools to my tool kit. One is a pristine early screw plate, probably from the late 18th century or early 19th century. I don’t think this thing has ever been used. It appears to still have the temper colors on it. At least it did, until … Continue reading 18th Century Gunsmithing Tools, Screw Plate & Circle Cutter
The Best Cleaner/Degreaser
A lot of you probably already know this, but I thought that I would repeat the information for the un-informed. Dawn® dishwashing detergent is the best commonly available cleaner and degreaser there is. For those of you who still wash you pots, pans, dishes, and silverware (especially actual silver) by hand, you know that a … Continue reading The Best Cleaner/Degreaser
18th Century Style Mens’ Pocketbook
Not too long ago, my osteopath told me I needed to take my overstuffed wallet out of my back pocket and ditch it. It was pretty ratty anyway; almost worn through in places. I shopped around for a replacement but just couldn’t find anything just right. I needed to carry my drivers license, registration, proof … Continue reading 18th Century Style Mens’ Pocketbook
Rifle Sight Height Calculator
Rifle Sight Background The traditional muzzleloading rifle has fixed, open, metal sights. This means that you have to select an initial height for both the rear and the front sights. Original longrifles had fairly low sights, at least the way we see them 200 years later. As a matter of standard practice, I set the … Continue reading Rifle Sight Height Calculator
Late Flint Virginia Shot Pouch & Powder Horn
I just finished this shot pouch and powder horn for a Virginian headed south to the Texas fight for independence. It represents late flint pouch from the central Valley of Virginia, and is based on an example from Rockingham Co, VA as documented by Madison Grant in his book on hunting pouches. The horn is … Continue reading Late Flint Virginia Shot Pouch & Powder Horn
Tools on My Bench?
I had the thought one day that it might be interesting to list out all the tools I had out on my benches. As I worked on the project, I thought that it might be a better idea to expand the list to not only those tools that are normally out on my benches, but … Continue reading Tools on My Bench?
Recommended Books & Videos for the Southern Longrifle and Accouterment Maker
The following books and videos have been the most valuable to me in the recreation of Southern (Virginia/Kentucky/North Carolina/Tennessee) longrifles and accouterments. Books Longrifle Books Rifles of Colonial America, Vols l & ll, by George Shumway Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age, by Joe Kindig Jr. Longrifles of North Carolina, by John … Continue reading Recommended Books & Videos for the Southern Longrifle and Accouterment Maker
What is an American Longrifle?
“From a flat bar of soft iron, hand forged into a gun barrel; laboriously bored and rifled with crude tools; fitted with a stock hewn from a maple tree in the neighboring forest; and supplied with a lock hammered to shape on the anvil; an unknown smith, in a shop long since silent, fashioned a … Continue reading What is an American Longrifle?