Gunsmith/Artificer 1813

[54ball]

I hope you will find this of some interest.

I'm trying to get up some tools for a gunsmith/ artificer/mechanic of the Tennessee Militia of 1813-14. One the founders of our community was a mechanic/possible gunsmith who according to his family record, was requested and recruited by Andrew Jackson.

We do a living history demonstration close to his forge sight that started in 1816 two years after the Creek War.

Here is some of my "new" :wink:tools.

Here is a closer view of the small hammer and hand made clamp on vise. I'm having a heck of a time trying to date that hammer. Claw hammers date to the Roman times this one is very old, how old I do not know but Ive seen similar 1700s hammers.
The clamp on vise is homemade I wish it was a tad bigger as it is not much bigger than my hand vise.

Here is a closeer view of a interesting critter.
It's a egg shaped turnscrew/mallet.
The egg is split at at the handle so I assume that the metal turn screw is made into the handle or 90s inside the egg to prevent it it from slipping. If you look close you can see the line across the egg just about even with the top of the hammer.
So far I have not found documentation for such a tool but would a homemade tool like that be documented? I thought it would be a good tool for stuck screws such as lock bolts, tang and cock screws. It's also a good chisel mallet.

Here is my hand vise. It's marked made in Germany so I assume 1870s-1940s. I think it's pre or immediate post World War I. I've been told the ring is an odd feature, I assume to hang it up. This basic design dates to the Eighteenth Century.

The hand forged C Clamps may be the oldest I have. The threads resemble light bulb threads so they most likely were made with a screw plate. Since these came from New England no telling how old they are.

The big hammer is for tent stakes maybe some forging.

Here is the handle and curl of the Lancashire Hack saw. These saws date back to the Eighteenth Century. I've got to shape a new front bolt and proper wing nut for it. No telling how old this one is as it also comes from New England.

Ive have other stuff. I have my files and chisels and I'm going to make up some period turnscrews and have boxes for all this.

I would love to here some feedback about these tools from the builders on here.

What repairs would you think would be likely?
I'm thinking lock repair like broken springs tumblers ect.
I've also thought pulling a breach to pull multiple loads may be a good demo, inert powder of course. A musket with nine loads was found close to Challmette.
Please let me know of any more tools that you can think of.
If you have any idea for period repair or methods let me know.

 

[re-enactor]

The hack saw is pretty cool. Was the blade pinned at the opposite end?

 

[54ball]

Yes the original pin is still in place. I'll have to make a period square connector and get and modify a wingnut for the front.

 

[Zonie]

I don't see a mainspring vise in the collection.

Have you considered getting one?

 

[54ball]

I've got a Davis deluxe so I'll have to remove the modern slide on rubber handle cover until I can get a proper period vise.

 

[Jim Blair]

No builder but a tool collector.Is the claw hammer round eyed or an adze eye like current claw hammers?That pattern is old as the hills.They still show them in catalogs well into the 20th century.The other hammer,ditch that,that pattern is called a "drilling hammer",it was used to hit hand rock or stone drills.Unlikely tool for a gunsmith,a bit heavy and awkward for the work IMHO.A small cross peen blacksmith would fit better.

Nice looking assortment of vices and clamp.The hacksaw frame is a dandy.Hard to find a decent one.