Converting to half-stock. Worth it for historical value?

Jerry4History · Sep 23, 2024

Hi all, I'm working to create a reenacting unit for the Western Sharpshooters, which used an 1860's style deer hunting gun. While the primary sources describe the guns as: “The rifles were of all different makes, sizes, and calibers”, all of the photos of the regiment and surviving artifacts are all half-stock. I have a number of full-stock replicas that we used for our trial run this weekend, so the guns work. But part of me wants to cut them down to half-stock like the originals. Is this a difficult project for a moderate craftsman and woodworker? Will I need any specialty or unexpected tools? Is there any risk, is it even worth it?

reddogge · Sep 24, 2024

I would think not only the stock would have to be modified, a nose cap fashioned and a metal rib attached to the underside of the barrel with ramrod thimbles attached. Sounds like a headache to me.

Phil Coffins · Sep 24, 2024

Having built guns from scratch I would find it easy to rework the full stock in the foreground to a half stock. As reddogge suggests but I would use the nose cap of the rifle and the thimbles you have with the additional of either a wood under rib or a steel one that can be bought. Attachment of the under rib can be done by screws, soldering or tabs with pins. Think it threw before grabbing a saw, it will take some work! Here’s an old one that was missing the under rib and I made the wooden one pinned threw tabs.

IMG_3744 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

Tumbledown · Sep 24, 2024

I redid a Traditions Kentucky Rifle kit as a half stock. I made a wood rib, which some guns had. This is one I used for my inspiration, and my result.

I did it because I wanted a half stock with a barrel longer than the typical 24"-28" kit guns, and the Kentucky kit was cheap. The rib is a piece of square poplar stock (sold near the dowels) from Lowe's. It's shaped to the barrel flat and the sides and bottom are concave. It's held on with tennons added to the barrel. Frankly, the hardest part was figuring out what I wanted and planning it out.

Have at it, and have fun!

ChuckJonesWagon · Sep 24, 2024

Well, frankly, and not to be a negative Nancy, what's the point? Those who watch the reenactments likely have no idea of the difference, and couldn't tell a T\C Hawken from a replica (fill in the blank here).

IMHO, if you're going to take time to build a flintlock, then build a flintlock. Do one from scratch....full or half stock. The learning curve is there....just have at it!!

tenngun · Sep 24, 2024

Although halfs were the most popular by far, we have lots of old west photos showing full stock in use next to guys with sharps and Winchesters
SMR were made well through the 1930sand 40s on full stocks, and trade guns would be full stock through the 1950s

Phil Coffins · Sep 25, 2024

I suppose most reenacting is done for the love of the game and the details are what makes it challenging. Building a flintlock from scratch isn’t the best starting point in this case.

Converting to half-stock. Worth it for historical value?

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