Peter Neihart Lehigh rifle

[Col. Batguano]

We don't often see Neidhart guns posted. In fact, I think yours is the first. It's a wonderful rendition. Initially, I would have gone along with the lock panel statement of them being a bit thick, but after looking at the disc, I think you got them just about right. Neidhart did things a little differently than the rest of the Central Lehigh County builders that are better known.

That nuance of the double radius wrist so typical of Rupp and Moll is just a hint of it with a Neidhart. Most folks tend to overdo it. You didn't.

I agree with your decision to leave the sights a bit on the high side. I've built a couple with close to original height sights and they're darn near invisible.

If there was one thing I would pick on just a little is that it seems the front (and top) radius of the lock panel sweeps looks a little bit on the sharp side, but that could be the camera lighting too

 

[TommyG]

Col. Batguano, Thanks for your comments & observations. Truth be told, I was sort of walking the tightrope so to speak with the lock panels. I usually like to keep them around .090 or so, but it started with my RR hole leaving me a web a little thicker than I would have liked. Consequently, I ended up lowering the barrel about .030 (about as far as I could go without sacrificing pan/touch hole location & upper forearm architecture) and stretched the lock panels closer to .125. All the while paying close attention to the pics of the Neihart originals I have from Dixons and the KRA disc to stay at least somewhat close to what they were.

 

[Col. Batguano]

You ran in to the same problem with the lock sear bar that I did with a recent Kuntz build. No room to lower the lock further (which is the main reason they're tipped up in the tail). To solve for it I bent the main sear bar (the part that bears against to lock panel) upwards about 10 degrees. You could also put a dog leg in the main sear bar to accomplish the same thing. with a simple hinged / pinned trigger you have lots of room to file the trigger blade down. I didn't have that owing to the fact I used a SASST trigger housing mechanism instread (more work than it was worth).

 

[RB POWELL]

Here is my contemporary Peter Neihart Lehigh rifle recently completed. I used a drawing from Eric Von Aschwege as a general guide for the architecture, then added the subtle step in the wrist. The guide for the carving, engraving & patchbox designs were from Neihart #17 on the KRA Lehigh disc. Most of the carving is incised and chip carving – I would say 80% with the rest being in relief. Neihart definitely had a unique carving and engraving style, almost sort of “folksy” for lack of a better term. However, I tend to believe that Mr. Neihart’s carving was a bit more than “a great day with the V chisel” and does represent some sort of meaning and/or symbolism. I left the sights a bit high for a Lehigh, but they will be filed at sight in.

Barrel – 44” 50 cal. Bobby Hoyt

Lock – Larry Zornes Classic

Triggerguard – Mike Brooks Lehigh

Buttplate – Reaves #13

All other parts were shop made by me

As always, critique and comments are welcome.

Thanks for looking. TommyG



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Fantastic! What a great build...

 

[Flintandsteel]

I do LOVE the folksy carving!

 

[TommyG]

Thanks guys. I really do hate that word "folksy", but didn't know how else to describe it.