Two Piece Stock spacer

[Cajun72]

So was at a friend's gun shop today. Saw a muzzleloader he had that was supposedly used at the Alamo. Full stock Kentucky rifle, converted to caplock. But what caught my eye was the 2 piece stock with the brass spacers. Stock was very dark almost black. Did not get a full profile picture. First one I have ever seen on a vintage rifle.

 

[Eutycus]

This is going to be an interesting and educational thread.

 

[bubba.50]

This is going to be an interesting and educational thread.

I agree.

 

[andy52]

It's definitely more than a run-of-the-mill two-piece stock. There are brass plates on both pieces of wood, and the angle cut is interesting. Don't know if this is by design or necessity. Could have been a very nice repair on a broken stock? I'd like to take it down to see if has alining pins.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Would like to see more pictures and some provenance that it actually might have been at Alamo.

 

[Cajun72]

Will update with more photos and information. The little time I got to look at the rifle, the stock has wedges and pinned. It was mounted to the wall so was not able to get closer, due to another display in the way.

 

[davidmc62]

Hmmm I'd be wary of the Alamo use provenance. Need to see more of the rifle please

 

[Cajun72]

I know from reading about the Alamo and Texas history very few rifles exist from that historical event. I did not press my friend on the issue. I think it's an original Kentucky rifle, but not from the Alamo.

 

[Eutycus]

That would be my guess. Someone told someone it was probably from the "Alamo Era" and the myth grew each time that gun changed hands.

 

[Cajun72]

I have to go to work for a few days. But will go back and see if I can find a maker and get more detailed photos. He has a Museum, he has quite the collection.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
Assuming the gun is a real antique, the "spacer" is most likely a take down feature. I am not aware of any American rifles showing such a feature but it was popular on British sporting guns during the 18th century. Here is an example. It is a 1760s English sporting gun by Griffin:

The barrel and fore stock stay together and separate from the butt stock. These always have a hooked breech. The gun can then be transported in a case much shorter than the full gun.

dave

 

[longcruise]

Maybe that's where CVA/Traditions got the idea?

I think they did it to simplify shipping,

 

[flconch53]

I would like to see the lock

 

[nhmoose]

 

[Rudyard]

Hi,
Assuming the gun is a real antique, the "spacer" is most likely a take down feature. I am not aware of any American rifles showing such a feature but it was popular on British sporting guns during the 18th century. Here is an example. It is a 1760s English sporting gun by Griffin:

The barrel and fore stock stay together and separate from the butt stock. These always have a hooked breech. The gun can then be transported in a case much shorter than the full gun.

dave

Spot on as useual Dave , I just cut this same feature into a full stocked gun the slope is intentional but if done to an finished gun its a pig of a job getting it right A pic will follow .
Rudyard

 

[Loja man]

View attachment 152036

Now that’s just funny!

 

[smoothshooter]

So was at a friend's gun shop today. Saw a muzzleloader he had that was supposedly used at the Alamo. Full stock Kentucky rifle, converted to caplock. But what caught my eye was the 2 piece stock with the brass spacers. Stock was very dark almost black. Did not get a full profile picture. First one I have ever seen on a vintage rifle.

Probably a repair done to replace or fix a busted stock that was damaged because someone forgot to remove a stock pin when taking the gun apart during a restoration.
Very unlikely that that rifle ever saw the inside or outside of the Alamo.

 

[smoothshooter]

Maybe that's where CVA/Traditions got the idea?

I think they did it to simplify shipping,

I figured CVA used the spacer so they could use the same shorter stock blanks for their Kentucky rifles that they used on their half-stocked guns. Fitting a shorter, straight fore-end from the spacer to the nose cap would be relatively easy.

 

[flntlokr]

Maybe that's where CVA/Traditions got the idea?

I think they did it to simplify shipping,

Also easier to procure shorter stock blanks.

 

[smoothshooter]

Also easier to procure shorter stock blanks.

I was thinking that too. Cheaper also.