Best known for his many magazine articles on gunsmithing topics, Peter Alexander has just released this new gun maker's manual, on Building the American Longrifle.
Written for both the novice, and the master gun builder, the author explains the basics of each task, and then he delves into the minutia of the interesting variations. This 402 page volume gives him the freedom to express his views, share his discoveries, and expand our understanding far beyond simple basics. Only hands-on work at the bench will get you closer to longrifle building, than this new instruction manual.
Back in print, with new photos and techniques.
The author introduces several of the first American gun makers, describing their arrival in America, their apprenticeship, training, known residences, and explaining how the surrounding gun makers may have influenced their style.
Inletting, shaping, sculpting, tuning, polishing, and fitting parts is the main topic of the text and photos, but the artistic expression and style of the old makers is the reason we learn these techniques. We honor the work of the early gunmakers, when we treasure and protect the original guns they made, and when we replicate them for our use.
With forty chapters, each important topic is explained in detail. Lock geometry is only one of a great many areas discussed in detail.
You need not build a longrifle to benefit from a better understanding of the internal geometry of flint and percussion locks. Every muzzle loading shooter and gun owner will appreciate Mr. Alexander's information, opinions, and insights.
Repairing and restoring replica and original antique guns requires more than the simple installation of new parts. A knowledge of correct geometry, function, and the correct style for the period depicted, are essential tools of the truly skilled gunsmith.
Filled with line art, sketches, and some photography, a few of the photographs are reproduced in color, to depict the stain color, figure, and finish of fine old American longrifles.
The Table of Contents includes the following:
Chapter 1: Historical Background
Chapter 2: Tools & the Workshop
Chapter 3: Gun Parts
Chapter 4: Installing the Breech Plug
Chapter 5: Inletting the Barrel
Chapter 6: Making the Ramrod Groove & Hole
Chapter 7: Profiling the Buttstock
Chapter 8: Choosing & Tuning & Modifying the Lock
Chapter 9: The Percussion Lock
Chapter 10: The Preliminary Lock Inlet
Chapter 11: Shaping and Inletting the Tang
Chapter 12: Inletting the Butt Plate
Chapter 13: Installing the Lock Bolts & Finishing the Lock Inlet
Chapter 14: Shaping the Lock & Side Plate Panels
Chapter 15: Shaping the Buttstock
Chapter 16: Planning the Forestock
Chapter 17: Fastening the Barrel
Chapter 18: Making & Inletting Ramrod Pipes
Chapter 19: Shaping the Forestock
Chapter 20: The Muzzle Cap
Chapter 21: The Trigger
Chapter 22: Set Triggers
Chapter 23: The Trigger Guard
Chapter 24: The Side Plate
Chapter 25: Gunstock Moldings
Chapter 26: The Decoration of the Longrifle
Chapter 27: The Sliding Wooden Patchbox
Chapter 28: The Metal Patchbox
Chapter 29: The Domed-Lid Patchbox
Chapter 30: Patchbox Releases
Chapter 31: The Toe Plate & Other Patchbox Releases
Chapter 32: All Sorts of Inlays
Chapter 33: Engraving
Chapter 34: Stock Carving
Chapter 35: Finishing the Barrel
Chapter 36: The Ramrod
Chapter 37: Finishing the Stock
Chapter 38: Pistol Making
Chapter 39: The Swivel Breech
Chapter 40: The Care & Feeding of Longrifles
Appendix A: References & Resources
Appendix B: Timeline of Longrifle Development
Appendix C: Glossary
Index
Study each topic, and put your knowledge to work, as you cut, shape, and finish each step.
.402 pages, 8-1/2" x 11" format. New revised addition.
