A decorated early 17th century gun

[DaveP]

Hi Folks,
I thought some of you might enjoy these images of a 17th century fowling gun that I built. It features late 16th century and early 17th century French inlay and engraving designs. They are inspired by the LeBourgeoy family of northwestern France (Normandy area). The wood is cherry but stained to look like apple wood and the stock has over 46 engraved inlays of bone, mother-of-pearl, copper, and brass. It also has more than 15 feet of brass wire inlay. The gun is an expression of my love and admiration for the work of the great 16th and 17th century European masters of decorative arts. Please enjoy the photos.

dave

[SVD]

Lovely!

I especially like the dragonfly front sight.

[DKanger]

Dave,
That frizzen is bugging me. It appears that it is captured by two screws and no part of it touches the spring. Obviously there is something which the picture isn't showing, but it eludes me. What can't I see?

Dave

[dimovengraving]

Hi Dave,
everything looks very, very good

[DaveP]

Thanks for looking everyone. Dave, the frizzen (or steel) presses on the frizzen spring behind the link (bridle) anchored by the 2 screws. A narrower toe of the spring extends behind bridle to the toe of the steel. The design is an archaic holdover from early snaphaunce locks. The lock on my gun is called a type 1 English lock, most of which were converted snaphaunces.

dave