First build finally complete!!!!!!!

[Onojutta]

Orientation of inlays (including PB's) is always tricky. Do you make them so they're parallel with the comb, or the cheek rest. Or something in between. I'm not making an observation, but asking. How was it generally done in ye olde days?

Good question. I studied many photos of originals in various books, and sought input from this forum. I ended up going with what simply seemed to fit and look right. My butt felt rather small and I had a little bit of a hard time trying to fit the longer PB to the butt. I don't know if this was because of my somewhat shorter pull (if I remember it is somewhere around 12.5 - 13.5") or if because I made the wrist area a tad too long. I also had the same issue affecting the size and position of the cheek piece. Maybe some others could comment as to whether or not my positioning was correct, but it seemed to all work out in the end.

 

[Onojutta]

Are you aware that you live in close proximity to where the first guns were built in Lancaster County? Actually, it was Chester County until 1729, but the Bakers were between you and the river along the Pequea Creek prior to 1720.

BTW, very nice first build! :hatsoff:

Yes sir, and that is why I can call this rifle an original Lancaster. :haha:

But to your point, I am interested in the French and Indian War period and would someday like to do a build of what was common in that era prior to the onset of the typical longrifle. I suppose that would be a jeager.

 

[Pete G]

A Jaeger, for the most part would be a decorated European piece. Do some research on what is now called a Transitional rifle. It is an American rifle with European influences.

 

[tlallijr]

Congrats on finishing a very nice rifle! Do you plan on building another?

 

[Onojutta]

Congrats on finishing a very nice rifle! Do you plan on building another?

Yes but probably not for a long time. Between two young kids and an extremely demanding full time job, I just don't have the time.

 

[excess650]

A Jaeger, for the most part would be a decorated European piece. Do some research on what is now called a Transitional rifle. It is an American rifle with European influences.

Carving and engraving were expected at that time. The Baroque period Jaegers were "over the top", but not all were done that way.

In his "neck of the woods", "Jaegerish" guns have been exhumed from the graves of "Indians". It could well be that they were produced by the Bakers, but none have actually been documented.

The earliest known dated rifle that I'm aware of was the J Schreit 1761, but he was from the northern part of Lancaster Co OR Reading in Berks Co. Wolfgang Haga was in Reading prior to 1752 and was an adult gunsmith at the time. Jacob Dickert would have been an apprentice at that same time.

Take a look at photos of the Schreit rifle, but be aware that it is NOW sporting at least its 4th trigger guard. It still had a stepped wrist and its 2nd trigger guard when returned from England near 45 years ago.

 

[Onojutta]

A Jaeger, for the most part would be a decorated European piece. Do some research on what is now called a Transitional rifle. It is an American rifle with European influences.

Carving and engraving were expected at that time. The Baroque period Jaegers were "over the top", but not all were done that way.

In his "neck of the woods", "Jaegerish" guns have been exhumed from the graves of "Indians". It could well be that they were produced by the Bakers, but none have actually been documented.

The earliest known dated rifle that I'm aware of was the J Schreit 1761, but he was from the northern part of Lancaster Co OR Reading in Berks Co. Wolfgang Haga was in Reading prior to 1752 and was an adult gunsmith at the time. Jacob Dickert would have been an apprentice at that same time.

Take a look at photos of the Schreit rifle, but be aware that it is NOW sporting at least its 4th trigger guard. It still had a stepped wrist and its 2nd trigger guard when returned from England near 45 years ago.

I have spent a lot of time researching the history of local gunsmithing in the colonial era, but have never come across the Bakers. Who are they?

 

[excess650]

The Bakers lived near the mouth of the Pequea Creek sometime prior to 1718. Brothers Robert and Samuel had a shop 1717-1719. Samuel sold his share to Robert (1719), Robert died 1728, Robert's son Caleb worked there 1719-1741.

Apparently there was an iron ore deposit along the river and they built a forge and then boring mill.

 

[Onojutta]

Any known original examples of theirs around?

 

[Col. Batguano]

Yes. 13 of them to be exact.

Known collectively as the Bakers' Dozen. :rotf:

 

[Onojutta]

Some quick googling indicates these guys were thought to be the first to produce rifles. If they were the first, or one of the first, that means there wouldn't have been too many others, so I find it a little hard to believe they would have been able to produce enough quantity for their products to have had a significant presence on the frontier.

I suspect that many of the guns used around here, especially by Indians, during the FIW were made in Europe or made in New England or Philadelphia by gunmakers from Europe.

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

The Bakers .

Any known original examples of theirs around?

Yes. 13 of them to be exact.

Known collectively as the Bakers' Dozen. :rotf:

:shocked2: :grin: :rotf:

 

[Treestalker]

Mercy.. love the lines of the Lancaster rifles, they are restrained and stand out because of thier elegant simplicity, like a beautiful woman who does not need a fancy dress and ornamentation. George.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Mercy....., like a beautiful woman who does not need a fancy dress and ornamentation. George.

And loads from, yet sometimes needs, a muzzle. :slap:

 

[eggwelder]

:slap: :haha:

 

[excess650]

Any known original examples of theirs around?

None known. But then again, how many (documented) pre-1750 Lancaster made rifles are known? The earliest known dated is the J Schreit dated 1761. It was take back to England as a war prize during the ARW, and was brought back to the "States around 1970 or so.

 

[steve free]

You did a fantastic job! I would be proud to own it.

 

[Kirkschopped67]

Extremely beautiful rifle. Getting ready to start my first build. Hope it come out that good.

congratulations
Kirk

 

[traceywalker]

First build!!!! Absolutely a knock out!! Beautiful. You should be very proud!