S Zihn wants your input

[Napper]

For me a large cal. dubble rifle reg to 100 yards with large powder chg. say .72 or larger. Not to fancty but good looking with nice wood. tomm

 

[szihn]

I thought you might like to look at these Lehigh.

It was the gun I made for the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous in 99 (I think it was 99...might have been 2000. Was here in Wyoming )

 

[szihn]

Maverick
(And everyone else reading this)
Do you know a man named Lee Phillips?

He left a nice flint planes rifle with me several years ago to try to sell for him. I then lost track of him, and I can't locate him!

I still have his rifle, and I have never sold it, even though I could have 2 times, but I didn't want to risk selling it and then not be able to get the money to him.
If you happen to know him, please have him contact me. I would like to tell him I still have his rifle. It's not mine to do with it as I see fit, so I have just kept it safe for several years.
SZ

 

[AeroncaTAL]

So guys, that's why I am asking what you would want if you could have "your dream gun" (lets say--- if it was a gift, so price didn't have to be a factor) and also I want to know where you live.

SZ

Steve, I did some thinking and soul searching this morning after my previous post. While I do like the beautiful carved and inlayed guns that you all do, I really can't see myself shooting one. I seem to be attracted to the simple pieces, the working gun. I think that was why I was attracted to a 'Hawken' style when I was just starting this. I saw a nice North Carolina Mountain rifle on another forum that I fell in love with. Something about the lines of this gun really appealed to me. So, truefully, I think that my dream gun would be Southern Mountain style flinter. Full stock, iron furniture and with a few imbellishments to personalize it.
Scott (from Oregon)

 

[MikeC]

So guys, that's why I am asking what you would want if you could have "your dream gun" (lets say--- if it was a gift, so price didn't have to be a factor) and also I want to know where you live.

SZ

Steve, I did some thinking and soul searching this morning after my previous post. While I do like the beautiful carved and inlayed guns that you all do, I really can't see myself shooting one. I seem to be attracted to the simple pieces, the working gun. I think that was why I was attracted to a 'Hawken' style when I was just starting this. I saw a nice North Carolina Mountain rifle on another forum that I fell in love with. Something about the lines of this gun really appealed to me. So, truefully, I think that my dream gun would be Southern Mountain style flinter. Full stock, iron furniture and with a few imbellishments to personalize it.
Scott (from Oregon)

Scott we think alike and were on opposite coasts.

What you said is pretty much what my words were to Steve when I asked him to build me a rifle. The rifle you just described is basically what Steve will build for me, mine will be left handed and I asked for a period correct peep sight, although rare Steve said they did exist and it will be no problem and look great.

Mike

 

[AeroncaTAL]

That sounds great Mike!

 

[ronrryan]

Steve, it seems to me you are absolutely accurate in surmising that geographic location is not the key to what firearm people prize. For example, I am fascinated by the period of time in which our founders created the institutions we cherish, and am amazed that we have the great good fortune to enjoy the result. The period just prior ro and during the Rev. war fascinated me. Therefore, even tho not a re-enactor, I love the weapons of the pre- revolutionary period up to 1800 or so. The "golden age" of elaborate decoration has no interest for me at all. Nor does the "mountain man" era. I appreciate all firearms, but what I buy is focused on the historical period that touches my heart. I think many people are the same. God bless your work, good smoke, ron in FL

 

[CrackStock]

Steve,

I have been percolating on your question and come up with a few different answers.

I like the Vincent rifles for smallbore shooting and also the Leman's wilted lilly patch box guns as a diversion from the ubiquitous Hawkens.

Unlike most, I have followed local trends in the past. I got a Tulle Ordinaire when I lived in Louisiana and then a Tennessee later. I then got a Bess and early Virginia when I moved to the Carolinas.

I did get a Lancaster while in Louisiana, but I had always been interested in a fancier ML gun and wanted to extend my skills.

My final dream gun would be a very accurate long range rifle such as a Gibbs or Whitworth. Why? Hey, its my dream... :grin:

CS

 

[mastrsgt]

Steve,

I just read through this topic and I would like to add my dream gun as well. If you're familiar with Henry J Kauffman's " The Pennsylvania-Kentucky Rifle" it's on pages 209 and 210. It's an early, rev. war period, piece by J. Dickert. It has a wide, flat butt plate, four piece daisy finial patch box with mimimal engraving. 42" octagonal barrel. Kauffman doesn't give the cal. but I think 50 or 54 would be good.

Don R

 

[ktw]

So guys, that's why I am asking what you would want if you could have "your dream gun" (lets say--- if it was a gift, so price didn't have to be a factor) and also I want to know where you live.

I have a GPR (cap) and a York (flint)

The guns that I'm most likely to purchase in the future include a fusil de chasse smoothbore and tenessee/southern mountain rifle. Plain hunting guns, no carving or inlays.

If money were no object I could also go for one of the really nice hawken replicas (i.e. tapered octagon barrel, don stith or hawken shop)

-ktw

 

[Rick Davis]

So guys, that's why I am asking what you would want if you could have "your dream gun" (lets say--- if it was a gift, so price didn't have to be a factor) and also I want to know where you live.

Okay, I think I see a marketing question here. It would be something not available through the usual channels (TOW, Loyalist, MVTC, Dixie, etc). Some possibilities: Ferguson , BIGBORE blunderbuss, maybe the grenadegun . For you, this means no likely competition.

In Montana, just north of me it is, but here most people want Eastern Guns,(Rev war and earlier) and German guns. Why?

I'm located in southeastern PA, and I volunteer teaching Colonial gunmaking in Pennsylvania to our local elementary students. So, I'm looking in this direction by vocation rather than hobby. For me, it also filters out many of the weapons discussed here and elsewhere (GPR/Hawkens, etc).

There's obviously a market for ARW & F&IW weapons, but this is a market driven by lowest possible cost. If you could develop a cheaper 1766 or earlier French musket in quantity that was close to historically accurate & safe to shoot, people would beat a path to your door. Ditto for historically correct English pattern & Prussian muskets. After reading posts, it's clear buyers are tired of bouncing between high priced Italian muskets and sporadic quality issues with Indian-made muskets.

 

[romcneil]

I am retired now, so I doubt that I will ever have another dream rifle. I enjoy looking at the fancier rifles with lots of carving and inlays (especially wire); however, even if money was no object, I am torn between an early NW trade gun in 24 ga and a southern rifle, not a poor boy but with minimal carving, in .40 cal with a swamped barrel of the lightest possible profile.

Bob

 

...a correct French trade gun of ca. 1730 and a closer copy of an early Dickert rifle than the one I have...and an original Tenn rifle in good shape [I don't know why, but I just like the plain old southern rifles].

 

[CrackStock]

Mike,

Have you seen TotW's new Tennessee? It is a lot more correct than their old one.

I might get most of it, but omit their furniture in favor of some hand forged items.

CS

 

[szihn]

Yes DonR
I am familiar with the Dickert rifles, and I have made such rifles many times. In fact, I have one on my work order log right now.

Dickert was one of the old time greats, and he made guns that were fairly plane and guns that were quite fancy, but never guns of low quality.

"Dickert" guns were very popular in 1999 and before (when I stopped taking orders.)
I didn't know if they were still popular. Now that I am "back out there" at the rendezvous and shoots again, I may just have to make a "Dickert" for the rack--- to show off and sell.
What do you other guys think? Would that be a good one to make?
SZ

 

[hawkeye1755]

Steve,is it christmas time?
When money doesn't matter?
Such fancy one:

But on the top of my wish list is an ordinary Mark Silver Virginia Rifle:

:hatsoff:

 

Yes DonR
I am familiar with the Dickert rifles, and I have made such rifles many times. In fact, I have one on my work order log right now.

Dickert was one of the old time greats, and he made guns that were fairly plane and guns that were quite fancy, but never guns of low quality.

"Dickert" guns were very popular in 1999 and before (when I stopped taking orders.)
I didn't know if they were still popular. Now that I am "back out there" at the rendezvous and shoots again, I may just have to make a "Dickert" for the rack--- to show off and sell.
What do you other guys think? Would that be a good one to make?
SZ

There is a particular early Dickert pictured in the RCA volumes which has beautiful (to my eye) lines and I'd love to have one of those! It has the early CS influenced brass box cover and carving. Dickerts style evolved through time, but I prefer his early guns.

 

[dlemaster]

Mike
Are you referring to #48 and #49 ?
Those are truly great rifles. Dickert early work is among the very best in my opinion.
My next project is to make a rifle using elements from both those guns, if I can ever get the guy to deliver my locks.

Regards, Dave

 

[szihn]

Yes, I have always liked the simple refinement of that Dickert rifle, #48 (page 204, Volume 1)

It has the correct lines, and it is simply but beautifuly decorated, in all the right places.
Nothing stark, and un-done, but nothing done to a hight degree of embelishment, so as to keep the price at a level that's with in reach of most.

I have made several in years past, and I think this is going to be one I will do this coming year. I think maybe in a 42" 50 caliber. I may do it in 54. I don't know yet. in the east and mid west, the 50s used to outsell the 54s, but out here in the west the 54 is the easier to sell, and even .58 is in demand.
Another one I am thinking about is the "Jon Schritt" rifle.
I have always liked it. It has only the simpelest art work on it, but the lines are beautiful and full.
It's an early gun, and robust. If I do one, I will make it a 58 or 62 caliber with a 44" barrel
It's 0n page 113 of
Kentucky Rifles and Pistols 1750-1850

In the past I have found that the best "displays" to get interest and orders are ones of about 5-6 rifles. One very plane one. Four "mid-range" ones, and one super fancy one.
Such a display shows that I can and will do anything that someone would want, and that I am not trying to build only to my own tastes, but that I want to please the customers.
I have not done this since 1997, but I think it's time for me to do it again.
I hope to go to the Eastern Rendezvous in 07 and 08. It's a heck of a long way to go, so I want to be prepared when I do. If I go clear back there, I will try to make a few other events on the way out or back too.
I am thinking about Friendship, and the Eastern, and maybe the CLA.
I would love to here openions on where you guys think are the best places to go from the standpoint of a gunsmith.
Ideas?
SZ

 

[MikeC]

Steve,

Is the eastern rendevous your referring to Dixon's Gunmakers Fair? If not how about Dixon's in July. I believe it's the last full weekend in July.

Mike