Walter,

Thanks for posting this. I love that video and have watched it several times over the years.

I've also been fortunate to visit Williamsburg on several occasions. One time my Father and I were there on a cold weekday in the later part of winter. He and I were fascinated and spent the better part of two or three hours in the gunsmith shop watching them work and talking to them. They were quite happy we were there and happily answered all of our questions. It was a truly great day with my Dad. In fact, my Father is quite the craftsman and built me an amazing flintlock rifle in the Maryland school. It is one of my most prized possessions and hangs in a place of honor in my home. I will note, it also shoots very well!

Below are some images of the rifle I quickly made with my iPhone.

Best,
Tom

 

Walter,Thanks for posting this. I love that video and have watched it several times over the years.
I've also been fortunate to visit Williamsburg on several occasions. One time my Father and I were there on a cold weekday in the later part of winter. He and I were fascinated and spent the better part of two or three hours in the gunsmith shop watching them work and talking to them. They were quite happy we were there and happily answered all of our questions. It was a truly great day with my Dad. In fact, my Father is quite the craftsman and built me an amazing flintlock rifle in the Maryland school. It is one of my most prized possessions and hangs in a place of honor in my home. I will note, it also shoots very well! Below are some images of the rifle I quickly made with my iPhone.

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Best, Tom

That flintlock is magnificent Tom.. the epitome of a family heirloom !!

.

 

Thanks for posting this video Walter...I myself own a clone flintlock. a Traditions Pennsylvania Rifle Muzzle Loading Flintlock in .50 Caliber

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Thanks for posting this video Walter...I myself own a clone flintlock. a Traditions Pennsylvania Rifle Muzzle Loading Flintlock in .50 Caliber

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I've got a traditions Kentucky rifle that's a decent shooter but the overall fit and finish left a little to be desired.

 

Love that video, have watched it a few times.

 

I recall reading somewhere that you could buy those Williamsburg-made flintlocks but I have not been able to find anything out about it.

 

That was my understanding also, but when I heard or read that the wait time was at least two years or more and due to all the handwork they were not cheap.

 

Sorry, should have mentioned first your dad built you a magnificent heirloom. Treasure it.

 

Thanks for saying so. I will absolutely treasure it . . . no doubt about it!

Best,
Tom

 

That is an absolutely beautiful rifle your Father made! The workmanship is fantastic with the inlays and wire inlay. I like the message in the patch box also.
I built mine from parts and pieces ordered from a variety of places in '86-'87. Fortunately the stock was 95% inletted or I'd still be working on it.

And I just like this picture 😁

 

That is an absolutely beautiful rifle your Father made! The workmanship is fantastic with the inlays and wire inlay. I like the message in the patch box also.
I built mine from parts and pieces ordered from a variety of places in '86-'87. Fortunately the stock was 95% inletted or I'd still be working on it.

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And I just like this picture 😁
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Beautiful work and that is a cool picture.

 

The cost of rifles as I recall from a recent conversation starts at $10k…

 

As an aside, the barrels are not drilled out from bar stock, but a flat piece of iron (yes they use iron and it is hard to come by) that is hammered around a mandrill to form the barrel…I was told there is a lot that can go wrong and does

 

"skwcoltguy
·Premium Member
Joined Apr 20, 2007
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2,168 Posts
#8 · 18 h ago

I recall reading somewhere that you could buy those Williamsburg-made flintlocks but I have not been able to find anything out about it."

The guy in the video is Wallace Gusler who came directly off his dad's farm near Salem VA. He was the master gunmaker at Colonial Williamsburg for years before being promoted several times. Wallace still makes a few high grade guns/accourtments but the prices are not cheap, but the items he makes are instant heirlooms. I can put you in touch with him if you are serious about buying one of his rifles. I also can put you in touch with several others that worked in the Colonial Williamsburg shopbthatvare now on their own. Just PM me here.

Oh, by the way that video is still under copyright.
Dennis

 

Colt Tom
I live in the area of Pennsylvania where the early German gunsmiths-built flintlocks starting over 275 years ago. Most were what was called "Schimmels" or plain rifles with little brass and no embellishments. But they also built beautiful rifles like what your father built if the buyer had the funds to pay for it. Your father followed the pattern of a rifle only an extremely wealthy person could afford to have built. His workmanship is outstanding and his pride in his work shows as it rivals the masters from the 1750s. I have seen many original flintlocks from Bucks, Northampton, Lehigh and Berks counties and your rifle is on par with these fine flintlocks. Please post more photos. I myself like my ancestors could only afford a "Schimmel". Thank You for posting.

 

Those are beautiful flintlocks and the heirloom your dad made is a true work of art.

I used to show a somewhat shorter version of the Williamsburg Gunsmith film to my American History classes every year In the 1970s.
Most all the students were fascinated by it, and I never tired of the film myself. Am glad to hear Mr. Gusler is still creating his historical art.

 

Clay Smith is another former Colonial Williamsburg gunsmith whose work is highly regarded. I have one of his rifles and have purchased a couple of others he had on consignment from other skilled builders on his website, Clay Smith Guns Inc. He‘s a good guy to deal with.

Tom, the rifle your father built is beautiful.

 

Just as there are Colt collectors, there are Long Rifle collectors, and a lot of contemporary makers of them. I'd say there are currently several dozen expert makers right now that can make you a rifle, and some are very reasonable. Check here just to get some ideas: Contemporary Makers

I bought a NC style rifle from Don Bruton, who makes them by hand. I'm very happy with it. If you are buying one where every part is forged on site, it's expensive. Bear in mind a majority of Southern rifle smiths after about 1799 started buying barrels and locks, then making the rest - trigger guards, triggers, stocks, sights. Few hammer forged barrels that late anywhere in America, but some did. That's what a lot of contemporary gunsmiths do too. Another place you used to be able to buy a "from scratch" rifle was Old Salem, NC. Not sure if you still can, but there would be a long wait, and you'd pay about 5 times what the other types cost.

 

Years ago I got this .45 cal percussion Pennsylvania Rifle copy. It dates from 1982 and is number 256. Made in Italy, I believe it was made for Dixie Gun Works as a semi-custom rifle.