Screw Driver

[Artificer]

I came to greatly appreciate the reproduction British "Y" Shaped Tool with blades that could be filed to fit both the Top Jaw and Side lock screws on the Brown Bess, however they are unnecessary wieldy for most period civilian guns.

Still, I like the ability to take the lock off the gun when hunting in rain/snow and/or to see if something got in there that might cause a problem. I think a small one blade Blacksmith Type Turnscrew with a wide enough blade to fit the screw slots in both the side lock screws and top jaw screw slot would be useful, even if one had to also file the Top Jaw Screw a bit larger to fit.

I know some folks use an "L" shaped Turnscrew for this, but having tried them, I personally don't like them.

Gus

 

[Le Loup]

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS HERE OR IN ENGLAND THAT THE SCREW DRIVER WAS CALLED A "TIRN SCREW".

LOOK AT THOSE MARVELOUSE DUELLING PISTOL CASES WHERE I THIBNK YOU'LL FIND A SAMPLE.

DGHFUTCH SCHOULTZ

As far as I know, turnscrew was the 18th century term used everywhere. It was simply the name of the tool.
Keith.

 

[Stophel]

Whether this is really authentic or not, I don't know, but I like it, and I want one! For a long time, I thought I'd make one, but I'm tired of making stuff.

 

[Black Hand]

Whether this is really authentic or not, I don't know, but I like it, and I want one! For a long time, I thought I'd make one, but I'm tired of making stuff.

View attachment 1869

The date is certainly suspect, but the turn-screw is nice.

 

[Artificer]

Whether this is really authentic or not, I don't know, but I like it, and I want one! For a long time, I thought I'd make one, but I'm tired of making stuff.

View attachment 1869

Here is a page from Peter Dyson's site on English Turnscrew types and approximate dates and the information is in agreement with most original sources I know of.

https://www.peterdyson.co.uk/acatalog/TURNSCREWS.html

Gus

 

[Stophel]

I actually don't doubt an 18th century/early 19th century date for the screwdriver itself, but whenever I see "1776" scratched on something, I tend to think that date is probably more like "1976"....

 

[Artificer]

Yeah, me too!

I also think that date is just a bit too early for that Turnscrew.

Gus

 

[Black Hand]

Yeah, me too!

I also think that date is just a bit too early for that Turnscrew.

Gus

After 242 years, and presumably used during that time, the edges of the carved numbers are rather crisp and the depths of the carvings too clean and the color too uniform in the carvings. These suggest a much later addition for the date, likely added just before it was sold...