Enjoying the esthetics

[Turtle Creek]

Looking at that new .62 cal flinter (posted here) made me get my rifle out to look at it once again.
Besides the functionality (which is a beauty all of it's own) I just enjoy the esthetics of an early American/Colonial flintlock.
The visual balance, slender purposeful shape, and latest technology combined to create an efficient and pleasing working tool.
Honestly, I do not see the same beauty as they progressed to cap lock.
The history and Americana involved is no small thing either.
I suspect we hold them with the same pride of ownership as they did in their day.
They are just beautiful pieces of workable art.

 

[Kapow]

Well put. Hunting with these rifles is like hunting alongside the ghosts of all the hard men that carried them 'for real' throughout history. To me that is what gives them so much character.

 

[Terry Fairchild]

Aesthetics it is!
These muzzleloaders are things of beauty.
Some people grumble about the necessity of cleaning a muzzleloader but that is an enjoyable part of the process for me. Besides the "eye candy" these guns deliver, I thoroughly appreciate the neat mechanical aspect of them and marvel at the way they work. Sometimes I'll go down to my man cave, get one( or more) out of the safe and handle,study,maybe disassemble, clean , polish and just plain admire it.
No mystery to me why these stinkers are addictive!!

 

[Pete G]

Not only are the aesthics enjoyable, so are the mechanical and historical aspects. They are truly time machines.

How many times has anyone ever said "If only this old gun could talk..." Well, they do; all you have to do is to be quiet and listen.

 

[bpd303]

Every time I hold one of my old/original guns, I have the feeling that I'm connecting with thousands who have held them before me. A very humbling feeling.

 

[dikman]

Japanese swords have been an interest of mine for a long time. Although they are primarily a weapon, the Japanese have elevated them far beyond that and they are elegant, beautiful works of art, with each part and line having a name and, often, very specific ways in which they are shaped.

It wasn't until I became interested in shooting muzzleloaders, and started doing a lot of reading, that I realised the American Longrifle is in a similar vein. While there are some very nice European guns, to me none have quite the same elegance as the Longrifle. It could be argued that, while the muzzleloader originated elsewhere it reached its penultimate stage in the Americas. There is a certain pride in owning them and modern guns just don't do it for me.

My biggest disappointment is that here in Oz we must keep them locked away. I would love to have mine on display, where they can be appreciated (eye candy, if you like!).

 

[Turtle Creek]

That is an interesting comparison I had not thought about.
I have an old Katana and they are beautiful weapons.
I do believe you are correct that the development of the flint long gun reached the height of its development here on our shores.
The effectiveness and beauty are similar to sword dev. in Japan.

 

[Ken Cormier]

Yep the first time I saw a flintlock thought it was some pretty

 

[tenngun]

I can understad your view as guns got plainer during the nipple hugger time. How ever the deep beuty of a gun like the vincent or the no nonsense Hawkin does put me in mind of the sword. All the beuty in fit and function and even grace.French guns heavly carved and ricly inlaid, German guns overflowing with ivory and wire and greek gods, besses and charlees and southren poor boys made with out a butt plate and barest furniture.Like the stars in the sky or the girls on the beach each more beutyful then the last.

 

[Mickc01]

Yep, in a nut shell that's why I'm a collector....Mick :hatsoff:

 

[Alden]

Thanks Dikman;
Kapow doesn't acknowledge these as an American artform, understand that ALL real Americans were hardcore (and not in the criminal, penal-colony, sense), and he THANKS governments for the restrictions they impose on subjects like your having to lock your dangerous muzzleloading flintlock out of sight, for the kids don't ya know.

Reminds me of a "friend" who reacted thus when I gave him a gift of annual Membership to the NRA with its American Rifleman magazine subscription (but no other junk mail or solicitations -- these were blocked):

It started off with a phone call that literally began "don't deny it -- I know it was you!"

It ended with "My wife asked me 'WHAT is THAT!?'. What the hell am I supposed to tell her Alden, and my [away at university-age] kids!? There's a picture of a gun in my house!!!"

 

[Col. Batguano]

I have to say, that in the hands of the uninformed, a ML'er has greater inherent danger to it than a cartridge gun. Most people have the common sense not to point it at something they don't intend to shoot. But fixed ammo is usually not a danger on the firing end. ML'ers have that risk if someone doesn't know what they're doing. then there is the sharp flint, and venting through the touch hole issue too.

 

[dikman]

Getting a bit off-topic here, but if we're talking about a loaded firearm then they're all dangerous. An unloaded muzzleloader, however, can be left lying around the house with relative safety, as the only thing it's good for (as a weapon) is as a club! We all know what's involved in getting a ML ready to fire! A modern cartridge gun, however, only needs a (small) cartridge, easily carried in a pocket, and it becomes a dangerous weapon in a matter of seconds.

Back to topic, I can appreciate modern firearms for the way they show how guns have evolved, and I like automatic pistols for their mechanical design and operation, but to me they are purely a weapon. Hanging them on a wall? Nah, they're "locked away in a safe" material. But it seems a shame to hide away a longrifle. Even a plain, unadorned rifle/musket has an elegance about it, and if it's carved/engraved a bit.....

One of mine was built by a local maker in the '80s. It has a little engraving and some carving on it. When I show it to anyone, they are amazed by it, because they haven't been exposed to this type of rifle before - the length, how slim it is, the workmanship, it's nothing like the modern firearms they're used to seeing. (And beautiful is a word that's been used more than once by non-shooters).

I would love to have this on display, although my wife would doubtless be horrified, as she is one of those who thinks any gun is dangerous simply because it's a gun.

(I won't get started on our gun laws other than to say that once politicians get involved logic and common-sense go out the window).