muzzleloading machinists of old

[sheriff john]

Looking at some of the old records of Missouri gunsmiths in "Missouri Gunsmiths to 1900" book - census records, estates, etc. it appears that many made use of various parts made by someone else. Sand-casting a trigger guard, for example, could be done by one or two people. Freshing out or rifling a barrel - one man job. Forging a damascus-type barrel using strips of iron around a rod or creating a lock from scratch? - that'd be really hard.

Looking at originals from the 19th century, made before electric motors, etc., has always fascinated me. Not hard to understand why firearms were treasured, handed down for generations.

 

[nhmoose]

Don't forget Branch Meanly, Kenny Bresin

 

[flconch53]

Looking at some of the old records of Missouri gunsmiths in "Missouri Gunsmiths to 1900" book - census records, estates, etc. it appears that many made use of various parts made by someone else. Sand-casting a trigger guard, for example, could be done by one or two people. Freshing out or rifling a barrel - one man job. Forging a damascus-type barrel using strips of iron around a rod or creating a lock from scratch? - that'd be really hard.

Looking at originals from the 19th century, made before electric motors, etc., has always fascinated me. Not hard to understand why firearms were treasured, handed down for generations.

That's why a rifle could cost a years wages as well

 

[waarp8nt]

I cannot really name off any old time machinist that are famous. However, there was a local fellow, up at Mattoon lake, who made a few really nice flintlock muzzleloading rifles, William "Bill" Gentry. He made a router bit to fit in his Bridgeport milling machine to inlet barrels, he used his Southbend 13 inch lathe to install breech plugs and he had an uncanny eye for quality. A top notch quality machinist, he fixed several unmentionable revolver cylinders with too small of a forcing cone.

I met Bill at a gunshow when I was a teenager, he had several tables set up. Later found out while we were driving to New Jersey to pick up a South Bend Heavy 10 lathe, that he was 26 years older than me, not sure if that makes him "of old", but he was certainly someone full of old time knowledge and skills. Unfortunately, cancer took him too soon, R.I.P. Bill.

 

[GREENSWLDE]

There's a lot more interesting muzzle loading history from 1700 to 1870 than comes up between1970>1980 and it's not going to be forgotten as it's mostly catalogued from that
time and all worth reading. Your local library will likley have a copy of THE MANTONS.

 

[t.willis]

Bob Watts
James Flynn
Bill Brockway

 

[smo]