The Jacob Dickert Rifle

This rifle, just completed by Shane, is based on the earliest work of Jacob Dickert that would have a heavy Moravian influence, though not a copy of any existing rifle. It features a custom, 44" long Wrought Iron barrel that was developed just for this project. The lock on the rifle is a Davis Colonial American Flintlock that has been heavily modified to fit the build. Other than the lock and barrel, every other part on the rifle has been made by hand here at the shop using 18th Century tools and technology. The double set triggers, all springs, lock bolts and wood screws were all hand made. The butt plate, ram rod pipes and muzzle cap were hand swaged, fit and filed. The trigger guard and side plate blank were both hand cast here at the shop. The four piece patch box is made in the style of a known surviving patch box attributed to the early years of Jacob Dickert and all hand engraved and stippled. The rear sight is made from wrought iron and hand engraved while the front sight is made of wrought iron and coin silver. The muzzle has been punch decorated, and the breech area of the barrel has been inlaid with a silver cartouche to signify that the barrel is one of our custom wrought barrels.

Wrought Iron Belt Axe

This is one of Brads hand forged and "gunsmith finished" wrought iron belt axes. The head is forge welded from 18th Century wrought iron with a high carbon steel bit welded in to the cutting edge. The curly Maple haft has been hand fit to the head, inletting the ears on the axe head into the handle for added strength and rigidity. The haft was hand hewn to shape and finished off with a brass pommel cap.

Jacob Dickert Update

The Jacob Dickert rifle is now in the finishing stages and has received a stain of Aqua Fortis followed by a first coat of linseed oil and turpentine finish. As the finish on the stock continues to be applied, the aging of the iron parts will also progress with the rifle.

Pa Mountain Rifle in Curly Ash

Shane just finished up this Lehigh County, PA Mountain Rifle stocked in a beautiful piece of curly Ash. Ash is one of our favorite species of wood to work with for rifles. When stained with Aqua fortis it gets a deep, rich, amber color that really makes it glow and brings those silver inlays to life.

18th Century Fire Steel by Brad

Here's another 18th Century style fire steel that Brad recently finished. It is entirely hand made from original 18th Century Wrought Iron and fully decorated with a lower ogee molding, while both opposing surfaces are hand engraved. The proper heat treating technology of the period was then employed to ensure proper hardness, function and longevity.