Gorning underhammer

[longcruise]

In Ned Roberts' book toward the back he comments on an underhammer design that was created by a Dr. Gorning specifically for competition shooting. His description includes a drawing.

My question is, have any of our members set out to recreate the design. I don't recall that it was a commercial venture by Gorning and he may have built only one.

 

[rodneys]

About 30 years ago I built one then foolishly traded it off. It worked really well, but I was in the AMM then and interested in more traditional rifles. I have come back to building some under hammers and really enjoy them. I have done a couple of classes at the technical College where are used to teach and we built under hammers.

 

[longcruise]

@rodneys So you did build the Gorning design?

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

I've been smitten with underhammers lately and have also been reading Robert's book. Had to grab my copy and look up the Gorning rifle. It appears to be a nery nice design. Been a decent amount of underhammer talk lately and I'm liking it.

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

In Logan's pictorial history of the underhammer gun there is an action that was made by a man by the name of Al woody. It shares a lot of similarities with the Gorning. Might be of interest to you.

 

[rodneys]

@rodneys So you did build the Gorning design?

Yes I did but that was close to 30 years ago. I don’t have any pictures. I have a Ruggles action that I made and we built in class. I also have a DH Hillard that I made mold off of. and built a couple one for me and one for my brother. Also have a kind of Hopkins and allan that I made mold off of and I’m going to make a long range rifle out of it.

 

[longcruise]

@rodneys that's some top level workmanship there.

Do you recall your impressions of shooting the Gorning?

 

[rodneys]

It shot very well. I put the double set triggers on it. I had stocked it with a more modern pistol grip type stock. attached is a picture of the Gorning and the Woody actions very similar. I have access to a Water Jet. I was thinking about cutting out the parts for one of these to use in a class.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

A.O. Niedner also made underhammer rifles, a member of our club had one.

 

[longcruise]

@rodneys I am thoroughly impressed. I've had this idea that I could make one with hand tools but not so sure. What is the appropriate metal to use for this?

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

This is a little book that details some very simple underhammers and talks about building them.

Amazon.com: The Underhammer Rifle: Techniques and Illustrations for the Construction of Underhammer Locks: 9781655236792: Baron, Mr. Edward Jeffery: Books

Amazon.com: The Underhammer Rifle: Techniques and Illustrations for the Construction of Underhammer Locks: 9781655236792: Baron, Mr. Edward Jeffery: Books

www.amazon.com

 

[rodneys]

Yeah, I kind of copied Niedner’s stock shape on the one that I built. It is pictured in the Ned Roberts book on the muzzleloading rifle.

 

[rodneys]

That is a very good little book. It would definitely get a person started building some under hammers with very little equipment. attached are some pictures of some other under hammer books that anyone that likes them should have. And of course, the nude Roberts book on muzzleloading rifle.

 

[rodneys]

Sorry about that it is Ned Roberts

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

I have yet to pick up the newer underhammer book by Chandler only because it's kinda pricey. The one by Logan can be found pretty cheap on ebay.

 

[rodneys]

Regarding the metal, I just use mild steel 1018 and case harden, except for the springs which is Springsteel 1082, 1095

 

[longcruise]

Sorry about that it is Ned Roberts

Neds book is where I saw it. I don’t have the book. I had it on loan from the library. They had to get it from a university somewhere. I did scan all the Gorning info as I found it to be very interesting.

Thanks for filling in the additional information for me.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

The 200 yard round ball match at Friendship is known as the Gorning Match. Because of the lack of wind on the range in the early part of the day it is said to "shoot the Gorning in the morning."

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

So this thread got me motivated and I started cutting a simplified hammer out inspired by the Gorning action. Still need to cut out the lower portion. To my eye the hammer is the most complicated part.

This is just cut out of the side of a piece of scrap angle iron we had at work, 1/4 inch thick. Just hacksaw, files, and a drill press. Just making it up as I go so consider it a prototype.

 

[rodneys]

That is the way to do it. I have had many students that were afraid to start for fear of making a mistake. It keeps them from attempting anything. Consider it a prototype as you say of it works great if not you just learned what not to do. Keep us apprised of your progress.