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Forums10
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Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,345 Likes: 391 |
I've noticed over the years, while cleaning, repairing, or refinishing the stocks of many of my American made doubles that there often appears to be machining marks in the wood. I have never read any reference that spoke of duplicators being used, and pictures in various reference books typically show stockers with hand tools doing inletting or checkering. It would certainly make sense that makers who used lathes and milling machines to turn out the metal parts of their guns would machine stocks as well. So does anyone know who used duplicators or when they came into common use by gunmakers?
A true sign of mental illness is any gun owner who would vote for an Anti-Gunner like Joe Biden.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 625 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 625 Likes: 1 |
Machine made stocks have been around quite a long time. Here in Britain they were in common usage, certainly at Military Arsenals in the 1850's, possibly a lot earlier.
I would suspect that all large American gun making companies would have had stock duplicating machines by the end of the Civil War.
Companies like Remington were producing upwards of 1,300 Rolling Block Rifles a day in the late 1860's and 70's, there's no way they could have done that if their stocks were all hand made. I suspect that the hand made stocks that were photographed in manufacture were for Special Orders only.
Most companies had a customising shop, where (as Sam Colt said) he could get another 10 Dollars on the price for every extra Dollar he spent on the finish.
Harry
Last edited by Harry Eales; 10/11/10 11:59 PM.
Biology is the only science where multiplication can be achieved by division.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 775
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 775 |
Thomas Blanchard invented the stock duplicator in 1822 at Springfield Armory. Improvements by Blanchard and others before the time of the US Civil War allowed for both outside shaping and inletting of stocks. An example of a original Blanchard machine is on display at Springfield National Historic Site.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 496 |
Keith: Thomas Blanchard created a duplicating machine at Springfield Armory as early as 1822. Visit: http://www.nps.gov/spar/historyculture/machines.htmBut understand that no machine of that era created "drop in stocks." Some minor hand fitting was still necessary. Best, Kensal
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 976 |
If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Srpingfield Armory be sure to visit. Incredible history and you will see the stock duplicator. I could have stayed for hours more, but they do close!
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
This is a "stock profiler machine" at work. 1922 in the Marlin factory. While a rough profiling could be done, the stock department was mostly men working wood in jigs while belt sanders or cutting heads did the work. I have seen similiar images of Belgian work during this time period. As has been pointed out, the needs of the military drove production methods. Pete
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 104
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 104 |
I can not recall with certainty where I saw it, may have been on CSMC's website or maybe in the back of MM's book on Fox guns but I recall seeing a stock duplicating machine that CSMC now owns that would duplicate up to 5 stocks at one time which came from the Fox factory... someone please correct me if I am wrong...
Andrew
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,274 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,274 Likes: 1 |
I recall reading in the Parker Story that the machine they used in the factory was so precise that very little hand work was needed to fit-up the gun. They even had a machine for the skeleton buttplates, if you have ever fitted one of these, you know its a real job.
Jim A.
I learn something every day, and a lot of times it's that what I learned the day before was wrong
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 568
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 568 |
It's been a long time since I've been there, but I remember the Smithsonian having a very early stock duplicating machine on display. It was from well before the Civil War. I don't know if is is still on display or not anymore. Chris
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