Alaskan Treasures
Displayed here are three recent acquisitions to our
collection of Brennan Family flintlocks and accoutrements. Each gun has unique features making them
valuable additions to the collection.
For a first gun, the Jesse Brennan #1 flintlock is stunning
in its execution and craftsmanship. As they say, “The apple does not fall far
from the tree.” It also heralded the
excellent work that would follow.
Inspired by Shumway’s #16 gun, Jud’s #83 flintlock is unique
for its use of curly ash for the stock.
The accompanying knife and tomahawk, handed in the same wood, add to the
interest.
Jud’s Virginia school #115A flintlock and matching #115B
pistol represents a master craftsman at the height of his power. With its exquisite carving and inlay work,
this set may represent some of Jud’s finest work.
Please enjoy these treasures of the Brennan Family displayed
together for the first time.
From the Collection of John and Vicki Hast
Jesse Brennan #1 Rifle
Displayed here is Jesse’s first rifle completed in
2008. This gun was inspired by Thomas
Simpson’s Gasper Mansker rifle. Its
.45-caliber barrel is 44 inches long, providing fantastic balance and superior
handling. Its intricate patch box
containing multiple piercings accentuated by delicate engraving. Differing from the Manskers rifle, the cheek
piece silver inlay contains multiple excellent carvings with a small amount of
wire inlay. This is truly a masterpiece
for a first flintlock rifle.
This gun might have been produced by Thomas Simpson for a
wealthy Tennessee landowner in the late 18th century.
Jud Brennan #83 Rifle with Knife and Tomahawk
Jud’s #83 rifle was inspired by gun #16 in Volume I of
Shumway’s “Rifles of Colonial America.”
Like the #16 gun, the rifle is dominated by the unusual architecture and
appearance of the stock. Unlike the
selected cherry used in the original gun, this gun is stocked with curly ash
containing an extremely tight curl. Jud
faithfully reproduces the unusual cheek piece and carving of the stock. As opposed to the wooden patch box on the
original gun, Jud provides us with a plain metal patch box suggesting a
Christian Springs style gun. A 44-inch,
.54-caliber heavy barrel and a large English lock complete the gun’s mid-1700s
appearance.
Accompanying the gun is a tomahawk and knife containing
handles of identical curly ash. The
tomahawk’s unique shape and handles size produce a surprisingly lightweight
hawk with superb balance. A handle
containing engraved pewter inlay and a brass end cap further accent the
well-forged knife.
This set of items could have been employed for fighting the
French and their Native American allies on the mid-18th century
frontier.
Jud Brennan
Rifle #115A and Pistol #115B
Jud completed this rifle and matching pistol for Bob Roughton
in 2011. They were acquired at the CLA
Show in 2017 from Jim Chambers, acting as Mr. Roughton’s agent. Unfortunately, Mr. Roughton, a discerning
collector of fine guns from many noted makers, passed away later that
year. This gun certainly measures up to
his exacting standards.
Inspired by the Winchester, Virginia School, it has elements
of guns from both Simon Lauck and John Sheets.
The rifle’s 44-inch, .45-caliber produces near perfect balance and
superb handling. The exquisitely
engraved patch box contains multiple piercing and a single brass inlay. Multiple finely engraved floral silver inlays
adorn the stock. The masterfully carved
stock is accented by silver wire inlays.
A handmade lock further adds to the gun’s value.
The matching .45-caliber pistol features similar stock
carving, and side plate and trigger guard engraving as the rifle. Once again, silver wire inlay is used to
tastefully accent the carving on the stock.
This matched set of weapons might have been produced for a
wealthy gentleman of Virginia in the late 1700s.
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