Monday, June 30, 2014

Richard Hicks No. 11

Pennsylvania Longrifle, .44 caliber, 40" barrel. maple, brass, flintlock

This early replica longrifle is signed R. Hicks No. 11 on the breech end of the barrell. Richard Hicks made rifles during the early revival of muzzle loading competition in the 1950's.  As with many early reproductions his rifles were assembled with a mixture of hand made parts, mixed with some antique parts.

Mr. Hicks was known to have made his own barrels.  The 15/16" octagon by 40" long .45 caliber barrel is cut rifled with six lands and groves with a fast twist that makes at least one full tur over the length of the barrel.  The bore appears to be bright, clean, and well maintained.  The bore measures .447" land to land and .462 grove to grove.  The exterior of the barrel has a reddish brown finish with normal wear on the edges of the octagon from handling.

Made before many replica locks were available this flintlock was hand made by R. Hicks and is signed on the lock plate.  The lock has a octagon pan with pan bridle for the frizzen.  The tail of the lock plate is shaped with a pointed tail and raised molding.  The tumbler on this lock has a full cock notch, no half cock notch is present.

The barrell has a direct drilled vent hole.  Set below the lock is a single lever, double set trigger.  Due to the single lever feature of the trigger it can only be fired when set.  The lock can be cocked at any point, but the triggers will only fire the rifle from the set position.



The copy from Track list the caliber as .44 and .45. This gun is no longer posted on the Track site for checking. Copy and photos from Track of the Wolf.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Antique Powder Measure


Photographed at the 2013 Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show by Jan Riser.

The Gillespie Gun Makers of East Fork NC by T Dennis Glazener

Dennis is the GGG Grandson of John Gillespie of East Fork (now Brevard) NC. 

 The Gillespie Gun Makers of East Fork NC  is available. 84 - 8.5" X 11" pages, cover pictures in color. Inside is B & W. @ $22.50 plus $3.00 s/h via first class mail, add $1.80 if Ins. is desired.

Copy from Gillespie Rifle Works. This book and other Gillespie related items can be found here.

18th Century Clothing: Women

blue silk brocade dress, c. 1775-1790


Steel blue ground w/ meandering allover small floral pattern in French blue & ivory, 3/4 sleeves w/ attached Dresden work lace engageants, bodice w/ CF lacing & lined w/ dark taupe homespun linen, skirt & sleeves lined in white & blue windowpane linen, B34", Sh-Sh 12", W 23.5", (minor wear to front bodice, few light stains, CF skirt panel unpicked, otherwise all original) excellent.

Price Realized: $ 3600.00







pair of lady's mules, 1690-1720


Ivory kid w/ padded metallic silver embroidery on ivory silk vamp, red leather heels, applied label on bottom, "17th C pur. Hearst Col. Gimbel Bros, 1942 Traphagen School", L 7 3/4", heel 3 3/4", (sections of silk missing under vamp embroidery)silk vamps poor, soles & heels good.

Price Realized: $ 4025.00




pair green silk lady's shoes, France c. 1720


Dark green figured silk, cross over latchets & silver metallic embroidered & sequin decorated vamps, low white leather heels & rands (silk on both toes worn), homespun linen lining, Wd 2.25", L 9.25", fair.

Price Realized: $ 5462.50





Copy and photos from Augusta Auctions.

Antique Powder Measure



Photographed at the 2013 Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show by Jan Riser.

18th Century Clothing: Men

gent's striped velvet coat & breeches, c. 1760


Horizontally striped maroon silk velvet with cut, uncut and voided areas, narrow standing band collar, fitted sleeves with 4" cuff, deep, shaped pocket flaps, front cut with curve over chest, twenty five self fabric covered buttons on jacket and fifteenon breeches, breeches with homespun facings, (velvet knap worn, fading, stains and repairs, coat's satin lining replaced and one missing button, many rips in breeches, waistcoat missing) fair.


Price Realized: $ 7475.00





gent's printed cream velvet suit, england, 1770s


Two piece suit of horizontally ribbed silk velvet with pink and green dots: collarless coat with self covered button trim, 5.5" deep cuffs, shaped pocket flaps, cream silk lining; narrow fall-front breeches with cut steel buckles at knees, napped cotton-linen lining, (stains and repairs underarms, extensive damage and repairs to breeches) coat good, breeches fair.


Price Realized: $ 6325.00





gents 3 piece striped silk suit, 1760-1780


Narrow striped silk satin in golden brown, light blue and black, each trimmed with covered self fabric buttons and two bifurcated linen pockets: coat with narrow standing collar, curves over chest, sleeves end in 5.5" cuff, shaped pocket flaps; 33" long sleeveless waistcoat, narrow stand collar, back lacing, one pocket lined in pigskin, coat and waistcoat with cream silk linings; breeches with narrow four button fall front, knee bands with buckles, napped flannel lining, W 30", Inseam 16", breeches fair

Price Realized: $ 6325.00





Copy and photos from Augusta Auctions.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Tinder Box and Striker by Manfred Schmitz

I made something new this week. A Tinder Box and Striker all handmade by my self, the box is soft soldered. It is a nice little box with the size of 3 3/4 long 2 wide 3/4 thick


Copy and photos supplied by Contemporary Makers' European Correspondent, Manfred Schmitz.

Antique Powder Horn

Pictures of an antique flat powder horn, possible German. It is 6 1/2 inch outside the curve with a new plug. It was found here in Germany at a flea market.




Copy and photos supplied by Contemporary Makers' European Correspondent, Manfred Schmitz.