Jaeger/Christian's Spring ideas

I know a local second generation flintlock builder. Very nice and knowledgeable man. He generally make a Lancaster style rifle, but he will make anything. I really want to have one built, but I am nervous that I don't have a good vision for what I want. I could also get a Tip Curtis rifle, but it is hard to pick without see one.

I currently have a very nice Jaeger that weighs in at 7 pounds 1 ounce with a 54 caliber swamped barrel. It does not have a cheek piece and it is pretty plain. So I was going to sell that one and get him to make something similar. I really like the weight and length. I hunt rough think terrain, so shorter lighter is a must.

Colerain is over the mountain from me, so I was pretty sure a 31 inch barrel is very good choice in 54 caliber.

For a lock, reliability and speed are very desirable. I think a Dale Johnson style Chambers lock. I was also thinking Late Ketland. I appreciate style and history, but if a Ketland is a better hunting lock then I want a Ketland.

I have single and set triggers, and either are good, but flintlock season is in January here in PA, so single trigger is better for cold hands. So I am leaning to single trigger.

I think an odd goal/selection is sights. I would like to have a peep sight. It seems to be better for my poor eyes, and I am not getting any younger. So I wanted a dovetail for a buckhorn, and a peep to try. I want both options.

I like slings, so it will have a Jeager style sling.

I never liked curved buttplates, so I want something flatter.

So I would appreciate any input on these ideas. Pictures would be great.

Hi Terry,
If you are thinking Edward Marshall rifle when suggesting Christians Spring, keep in mind no one knows where that rifle was made and if it predates 1761, it was not made at Christians Spring. It may be the work of Moravians in eastern PA and it might have been made by Andreas Albrecht but again no one really has proof of any of that. It has a shorter barrel than most long rifles but it is not a light weight gun, although well balanced. Jaegers are nice but also consider an English sporting rifle. With respect to the locks, the Chambers late Ketland is certainly one and perhaps the fastest commercial lock made today. However, my Chambers round-faced English lock may be slower (longer throw) but it fires in all conditions, even wet and humid. That is because it has a tall frizzen and the flint makes a long scrape. The result is no matter how wet and grimy the frizzen face or flint, it seems to make plenty of sparks. The style of gun you choose could determine the lock choice unless you aren't concerned about historical styles.

dave

Oops not to Dave - to the original poster.

Some makers are happy to make whatever a customer wants and others stick to historically-based rifles. If you choose a 31” barrel and want a flintlock, the small Late Ketland may be a tough fit.

Only if your builder friend has nothing else to do could you expect a new rifle to be ready by your January hunting season.

Dave, Rich,
Thanks for the comments on the lock. I always wondered why people used those huge locks with the long throws. Makes perfect sense now. The ketland being wrong size for a Jeager stock is also good to know. So right now I am decided on the Chambers Johnson Germanic lock. I think the style and speed appeal to me, but if the builder wants another Chambers queen ann for robustness, I'll go with that.

My builder is retired from "work" and dedicates his hobby time to building flintlocks like his dad. In my rural area of PA, flintlock tradition is huge. So I am really happy to be able to get a custom built. Unfortunatly he broke his ankle last week on an elk hunt in Colorado, so there is no chance of getting one built for this season.

I have 3 other 54 caliber flints to use, but they all lack in some way in my opinion. So I will probably carry a Pedersoli Mortimer again because it is uber reliable and fast. Too bad it is so heavy and long, but again I am blessed to have good choices so I am not complaining.

I am tempted to call Tip Curtis, but buying a rifle over the phone is a bit scary. I am looking at retiring soon, so more guns will keep me out of trouble - maybe.

Chambers early Germanic lock is larger than the Dale Johnson and would be what I would put on a "Marshall". I have that lock in my "jaeger" and prefer it to Chambers round faced English lock that I have on an English Sporting Rifle.