Rifle Made in the Colonial Williamsburg Gunsmith Shop by Wallace Gusler

This rifle was entirely hand made in 1970 in the Colonial Williamsburg Gunsmith shop by Wallace Gusler, using strictly 18th century tools and technology.  It was commissioned following the release of the film "Gunsmith of Williamsburg", and was the first commissioned gun built in the shop and sold on order.  It's listed in the shop's book as being "made like the movie gun", which still resides on the wall of the CW Gunsmith shop.  Stocked in hard maple, Mr. Gusler blended several decorative features from colonial Virginia rifles, and included a masterful blend of his own creative ideas as well.  Today, the Gunsmith shop is still building rifles and pistols on custom order using the same 18th century tools and techniques.  Three Gunsmiths currently work in the shop, Journeyman Richard Sullivan, and Apprentices Eric von Aschwege and Darrin McDonal.  For more information on the shop, please visit www.history.org. 

Number	83
Name	Copy of Virginia Rifle
Made by	Wallace Gusler, Williamsburg, VA
Barrel Length	41 1/8"
Caliber	.54
Value
Purchased from	Wallace Gusler
Private or Company	Private
Misc	1970 - Gusler made 3 completely handmade guns (in this era).  One is Williamsburg collection, one is very gaudy, and the third is this one - it's done just like a 1770's KY Rifle in VA style. #292 in NRA Private / BB = $15,000

This Gusler rifle is for sale: Contact Jim Chambers 828.667.8361

Copy by Eric von Aschwege with photos by Jim Chambers.

The Gunsmith Shop at Colonial Williamsburg

Case hardening lock parts in a crucible

Hot summer in the forge, Photo Courtesy of Wayne Reynolds

Hand filed screw threads

Lock patterns in sheet steel

George carving his rifle

Rainy winter evening in the shop

Eric forge welding

Darrin filing on a screw

Darrin filing his new riveting hammer

Richard with forging for lathe chuck.  Photo courtesy Wayne Reynolds.

Photos supplied by Eric von Aschwege.

The Gunsmith Shop at Colonial Williamsburg

In January of 2016 the Gunsmith Shop at Colonial Williamsburg opened its doors to the public once more at the Ayscough house.  Situated "at the sign of the crossed guns" on Francis street, south of the Capitol building.  The shop has south and west facing windows for plenty of natural light, and a dedicated smith shop next to the main building.   George Suiter, former master, retired at end of 2016, and presently Journeyman Richard Sullivan, Apprentice Darrin McDonal, and myself continue the trade.

In the past year as an Apprentice in the gunsmith shop, I have learned more from George and Richard than I could possibly write in a brief blog post.  Richard is an outstanding smith and teacher, and thoroughly enjoys welding gun barrels.  Welding barrels is a lot of fun - reaming them out is not, but it's a test of strength and endurance that every apprentice must pass.

The "Smith" part of Gunsmith is shaping iron parts with a hammer... and most of building a rifle the old way is done in the smith shop.  We light our forge with flint and steel, rake soft coal over burning wood shavings and with practice the fire roars to life  in just minutes. 

Every trade shop in Williamsburg has a rigorous Apprentice curriculum that combines hand skills, with academics and reading material, as well as interpretive training.   The first year Apprentice in the Gunshop begins by making many of his own tools.  Since most of the work is done with a hammer, it makes sense to begin there.  Next were turnscrews, small chasing hammers, drill bits of all sizes, punches, a mainspring vise, and of course a touch mark to put on all of my work. 

Currently I am working on a Germanic lock for my first rifle in the shop, loosely based on some import locks from the 1760s.  There are always side projects as well, including work on a pistol flask for a matched set of pistols that Richard is producing.  Darrin is currently making many of his own set of tools, along with a few dozen screws.

The ultimate purpose of the shop is to keep the trade alive through education and passing the knowledge on to newer generations, and much of our time is spent teaching.  Ultimately, we're all learning, and our hope is that our guests are too.  

For more information on the gunshop and a visit to Colonial Williamsburg, please visit www.history.org.  

Frizzen Spring for Eric's Lock

Lock with spring installed

Mainspring vise Eric copied from Antique shown on right.

George's Rifle, lock installation and tight inletting

Richard and Eric melting brass for casting gun mounts

Trigger for rifle

Pair of locks by Richard Sullivan for pistols

Screws forged and filed

Copy and photos supplied by Eric von Aschwege.

Turnscrews from the Gunsmith Shop at Colonial Williamsburg

The Gunsmith shop at Colonial Williamsburg is donating a set of three 18th-century English style turnscrews for the CLA 2016 Auction.  These were made in the Colonial Williamsburg gunshop, using entirely the same tools and techniques we use on our firearms.  Made by Apprentice Eric von Aschwege, the blades are forged from steel, with traditional brass ferrules, and handles of walnut turned on a treadle lathe.  The tips are honed thin to slip into any fine screw slot without damage.  Sizes are approximately 3/16”, 5/16”, and 3/8”.  

Copy and photos supplied by Eric von Aschwege.

Colonial Williamsburg: Photos

Photos supplied by Contemporary Makers' European Correspondent, Manfred Schmitz.