Tuesday, July 31, 2012

English Trade Gun by Ken Gahagan

This is an example of an English commercial hunting/trade gun circa 1700-1720. These guns followed the long barreled, large bore fowler and musket patterns of Europe. This example illustrates many of the typical English trade components like the big three screw lock, plain dragon sideplate, flat iron buttplate and  simple brass trigger guard. Also has a crude nailed escutcheon and simple tang carving. This piece is copied from one in the Neuman collection. Lock by The Rifle Shoppe, barrel by Getz.












Copy and photos by Ken Gahagan.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Coopering by Marshall Scheetz

Marshall Scheetz has been coopering since 2002 and has completed a six-year apprenticeship under a traditionally-trained master cooper. Scheetz practices tight, dry, and white coopering and creates accurate reproductions of period cooperage including hogsheads, barrels, firkins, butter churns, tubs, piggins, and other coopered containers.





Scheetz is also an historian and has researched and documented known coopers from the 18th and 19th centuries as well as the culture surrounding the economy and life of the cooper’s trade. Scheetz has collaborated with researchers, archaeologists, curators, and tradesmen to further their understanding about the art and science of coopering and coopered containers throughout the years.


Buckets were traditionally used for hauling water from the well, collecting milk from the cow, or carrying feed for the livestock.  Sailors used them for water to swab the deck and to hold tar for the ropes.  Miners used them to haul ore.  Full of liquid, buckets can weigh close to 25 pounds.


I'm currently working on a parcel of gunpowder casks (barrels, half-barrels, quarter-barrels) for Fort Loundoun State Park.  The British often used these sizes of powder cask for the defence of the colonies and for gifting powder to the Cherokee and Catawba indians. 


Copy and photos supplied by Marshall Scheetz. More of Marshall's work and ordering information can be found at Jamestown Cooperage.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Otter Bag with Quillwork by Cathy Sibley




chronological set of pictures in the otter bag project















now just 4 bracelets to go and insert a skull

Photographs by Scott Sibley.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Jacob Kuntz Flintlock Rifle from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jacob Kuntz  

American, Pennsylvania, 1780–1876


This rifle is an early example of Kuntz's work, perhaps made about 1810, when he moved from Northampton County, Pennsylvania, to Philadelphia. The restrained carving of the stocks and the confident treatment of the engraved brass inlays demonstrate his early mastery of the techniques that distinguish him as one of Philadelphia's finest gunmakers.

about 1810–15
American, Pennsylvania
Engraved steel and brass; maple inlaid with engraved brass, silver, bone, horn
L. (overall) 59 1/4 in. (150.5 cm) L. (barrel) 43 in. (109.22 cm) Wt. 9 lb. 13 oz. ( 4451 gm) Caliber .46
















Copy and photos from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.