Fred Tschirhart?

[ike]

I think I need to change the title and redirect this question.

Need research help. I have just purchased a 40cal Left Hand flintlock rifle. The rifle has the name Fred Tschirhart in script on the top flat of the barrel. The barrel was made by W.M. Large. I know who he was and the quality of the barrel. I would like help on who built the rifle. The rifle came from the State of Michigan. It was sold in a lot of modern guns in Michigan. If Fred Tschirhart owned the rifle, who was he? I have talked to some people who have been long time black powder shooters and they seem to remember the name but cannot tell me where.

This flint lock is in the Kentucky style and the builder was very good. My goal is to discover the history of this rifle. It would be great to know the history of this beautiful flintlock.

 

[necchi]

Might start here; http://www.whitepages.com/dir/a-z/tschirhart/fred

 

[hoochiepapa]

hotoSmile:

 

[ike]

Been there. No telephone numbers and nor response to letter. Contacted the seller and he says the gun was purchased in a lot of guns form some estates. He did not know much about muzzle loaders as he delt only with modern guns. His lack of knowledge let me purchase this rifle for about one half of its true value. Thanks for the interest.
Ike

 

[Zonie]

I am moving this topic from the Firearms Research Forum.

The Firearms Research Forum is intended to be used to research original firarms that were made prior to 1866, not for reproductions of firearms made in the 20th or 21st Century.

Topics dealing with newly made reproduction firearms should be posted in the General Muzzleloading Forum.

 

[Pigman]

You may want to contact this shop.
http://flintandfrizzengunshop.com/Home_Page.php

He may be able to help you.

Foster From Flint

 

[Valentine1]

Fred is my father. Still alive & doing well. He doesn't do the modern 'computer thing' and probably never will. I think he made around 35 rifles. Spoke with him today and he only made one lefty. Late '60's. Special favor for a friend, who has since died. Now you have it. He remembers it as being a pretty nice piece, for one of his. He would be willing to speak with you about it soon. If you leave me an email address, we can exchange #'s and I will put you in touch with him. Kinda hermity. My first post here, and don't know what else to say on his behalf. How does it shoot?? He likes his to be used. He usually used Douglas super-premium barrels from my memory, but I'm not a gun guy, just grew up with it around. Photo's would be appreciated, as I was only two or three @ it's inception. Sincerely, Chris Tschirhart [email protected]

 

[RC]

now thats jus cool! :applause: :applause:

not only find the builder but to get to talk to him too...pretty cool.... :thumbsup:

 

[Valentine1]

I keep tellin' him to get a computer, but he thinks that's too complicated for him. He grew up fartin' around with model A's and helping out on local farms in and near Milan Mi. Went to collage on athletic scholorships (set new mile record for H.S). Got his Masters (close to a Doctorate)in Education and History. Quit teaching to be free from all that public nonsense. Started a Constrution Company. Made a few nice flintlocks along the way. Was (is?) a HELL of an offhand shooter. Never did the benchrest thing except to sight in for a hunting trip occasionally. Was very happy to fix 18th century 'Londons best' double flinters. Unbelievable work on guns that got massively mis-treated. His ability to fix/patch broken stocks was something to be seen. To get the burl and color and grain to integrate when your dealing with such fine wood has to be tough. Passion. Plus you have to have a library of VERY old wood on hand. Which he did. To pick up a destroyed 18th C gun just for the Circassion walnut was common. His Specaility were Mantons. Probably owned and fixed more than anyone around. To me they were ugly compared to his buddies Greeners and such, but he loved the fact that Manton tried to standardize locks and such early on (Henry Ford of his time?) Unfortunately, his eyes got old for up close work, and he just can't do what he used to in a timely fashion. So he is just enjoying himself. Why not. :wink:

 

[necchi]

Wow, Thanks for joining and posting to this thread Chris. I know ike and run into him at 3-4 vous each season. He lives 80miles or so away so he's not a next door neibhor, but I did just email him with a link to this topic, he'll be thrilled.
He sent me a spred of photo's last year when he got it, here's a few;

 

[Valentine1]

My dad was (is) a master of MANY disaplines. I remember him coming home from his public school industrial arts(wood shop) job with piles of brass trigger guards thats he had just cast up after school. He did the engraving. He cast the locks. Butt plates. Name it. Rifleing?? Yeah, that too. I remember him charting out some variable twist rifleing graph thing that he was playing with just for fun. The wood working was the easy fun stuff for him. Inserting silver inlays to be engraved later in tiger/flame maple made him happy. I remember him going NUTS when he dropped and lost a homemade frizzen spring for someone that he spent two nights making, heat treating and anealing. Took him the rest of the day to quickly make a copy. When he took his boots off @ the end of the day, the lost spring fell on the floor. Hiding in the cuff of his boots. There was nothing to say. You just don't find people like this anymore. I am hoping for more photos.

 

[Valentine1]

I just have to say that, as someone who is not into all this... I am astounded at the quality of rifle a man with 5 kids/wife/self employed job could produce just in his 'free time'. Over 30 times. His last one was a masterpiece. Long gone to pay bills.

 

[necchi]

I just sent the full spread of 18 photo's to your linked address.
You should find Dean's email attached.
He and his wife may be at the High Plains Rendezvous that has run this past week here in MN and away from his computer for another few days.
I'll let him know when I see him, and make sure there is a follow-up, :wink:

Your Pop did some fine work with this rifle. I can tell you Dean HAS won more than one event since he's had it, including the first time in an outdoor open off-hand event.

p.s. you might check your junk in-box, my email will be unknown to your mailer, look for;
FW: Photos of LH M/l rifle