Finally got a Lehigh!!

[EC121]

Well, I finally got a Lehigh. I always wanted one. Mostly out of curiousity and their different architecture. Mike (Brooks) had a spec gun finished, and the wife saw me looking at the pictures on the computer. She asked me if I wanted it. I say "Of course." Well, "Merry Christsmas go get it." she says. I called Mike and we made the deal in December, but we waited until the crazy Xmas/Covid mail-order rush died down to ship it. Got it yesterday. .44cal. and 44" Hoyt barrel. Dale Johnson lock. More pictures on my blog at www.bricestultzhislog.blogspot.com.

 

[Col. Batguano]

They have reputations as "cheek slappers". My first one certainly is, but it's a Stophel Long styled gun (a 50) rather than a Rupp, like yours. Those (Rupps) are more generous in the butt area. I'll be curious to hear what your results are with heavier loads. My other is a Kunz, but it's only a 38 so has no tendency to slap. Partly because the architecture is better, and partly because it's a heavier gun (7.4 pounds vs 6.9), longer barrel (48" vs. 44"), and the ball weight is only 40% of the 50.

 

[EC121]

This one isn't a slapper. Mike put 1-1/2" more drop in the comb to avoid that. The top of the comb where my cheek touches pretty much lines up with the bore. It just slides back on recoil.

 

[Bob McBride]

That's the one Mike's been talking about over on ALR? I know he said he's finally gotten over his reticence to tackle the Lehigh architecture. He did a fine job as you would expect from him. Awesome gun.

 

[D.Summers]

The link to your blogspot isn't working! Nutz! I wanted to see more

 

[EC121]

Try this. www.bricestultzhisblog.blogspot.com. It was too early in the morning and I didn't proofread well enough the first time nor did I test the link after posting. Here is another long shot. The link works now.

 

[rich pierce]

That’s a really nice gun. Mike’s guns are interesting to me. They all look like originals and have interesting features. With his experience a gun isn’t going to be hard to shoot no matter the style.

 

[olskool]

that's great! and a nice gun!

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

The word on the street is “None Finer than a Brooks”

Incredible work!

 

[zerosprk]

Very nice indeed, congratulations!

 

[BradCayton]

Mighty fine!!! Congratulations

 

[D.Summers]

Ah, yes, there it is! Very fine indeed!!

 

[Spikebuck]

Congrats. Mike certainly does build fine rifles and fowling pieces.

 

[Dale Lilly]

That is a beautiful rifle; tasteful restraint as should be all great art. My congratulations … to your loving wife.
Polecat

 

[EC121]

Thanks I'll tell her.

 

[Pete G]

The word on the street is “None Finer than a Brooks”

Incredible work!

Awww, crud......Now you've done it.

 

[Nicksdad]

Wow, that is a beautiful rifle.

 

[Mtbugle]

Wow, she is a beauty. I also am envious of the others shown on your page.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I love the nuances and unique nature of the central Lehigh county architecture. They are unique to just about any other style of LR, (as well as other areas of the county) and just plain "weird" that way. You almost have to forget everything you know as "correct" about other LR architecture in order to appreciate them. The nuances of the belly line curve (and then the secondary one under the TG) are particularly vexing to get just right. How high to make the top line of the wrist is another area that gives builders problems. It usually takes builders at least 3 builds (but usually 5) before they feel like they got it "right". I suspect the same problems existed in the 18th century as well as the 21st for builders.

Lehighs and Bucks as unique architecture really don't exist much before about 1785, nor do we find them much after about 1810. That lends me to believe it was a fad that just ran its' course and then petered out. That doesn't mean it's not beautiful, or wasn't viable. Just that it didn't last that long. Because of the difficulties in building one that is NOT a cheek slapper, I suspect that had a lot to do with that.

 

[ny griz]

A beauty for sure. Griz