doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Napoleon and Kuchenreuters questions? With Images

I REMEMBER SEEING A BEAUTIFUL KUCHENREUTER FLINTLOCK
IN THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY IN NY CITY

I've never encountered the phrase "cripple-stock" before. In relation to the Kuchenreuters gun, is it the pronounced cheek rest, which looks very "dish-like" in the second photos, that warrants the use of that phrase?

I think we've all seen the drastically bent stocks made for cross dominant eye situations (eg. R handed, L dom eye).
Would this suit the "cripple-stock" descriptive?

Or perhaps it has nothing to do with a stock shaped to better suit a shooter's particular need because of an infirmity, but rather strictly applied to a stock that is simply fashioned a certain way with NO relation to the shooter who will own the gun?

I'm quite curious and would be very grateful for an explanation of this term. Many Thanks - Marc

I guess you see high quality work that eYe can't.

From what the photos show, I'm not nearly as enthralled as I would be with other 19th century guns, specifically British "Bests".

The wood carvings shown in close-up look like novelty items, definitely "tarty". Not impressed with the metal engraving either.

As far as provenance goes, I think you should seriously think if Napoleon would really desire a google-eyed hound carved on one of his firearms.

After all you've said and shown, I still don't know if you are thinking of buying one of them, all of them or none of them.

I'm not trying to be a sarcastic cynic and deflate your high, but, like Joe, I just can't see the quality you take for granted.

Also, you've ruffled some of my feathers. Comparing this gun to a work by Monet is laughable if not contemptible.

Rough crowd. I will continue my research. Will post the Kruchenreuter images soon.

That knight appears to be a stamping. The engraving on the barrels is not well done at all. I have seen what the Belgian makers were capable of during this period. This gun is not even close.

Pete

Basically what you are saying is it's a JAUBC ?

I apologize in advance for the lack of clarity with these images. It was the best I could manage given the lighting in the museum.

This is a Belgian flintlock from 1780-1790 as I recall.



These images are a Belgian pinfire that was dated to 1850.





Pete

I appreciate the "education" I am getting here... tough as it is. This gun in question is part of a large collection and has been the most difficult to identify. My lack of expertise shows but I did not mean to offend anyone with my enthusiasm. I will continue to research that gun and will report back if I find useful information. As promised, here are images of the Kuchenrueter's - serial #1, #2.

The collection documents say "Delicate, restrained relief carving of the unblemished stocks � high gloss finish, horn capped fullstocks with matching rammers. Silver furniture is flawless and the fire-blued barrels are delicately inlayed with silver with the makers name and hallmarked with Kuchenreuter touch mark in gold. The unfired bbls are 10� and the pistols are 16 � � overall. A similar brace of Kuchenreuter pistols is in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen of Windsor Castle (lot specimens 379) and noted as examples #205 �Pistols of the World� by Claude Blair.�

I have thus far been unsuccessful confirming the above reference to Her Majesty the Queen collection and I have ordered �Pistol�s of the World.�

I will begin to research this gun as well.

The metal of the pistols has been re- polished, and the stocks refinished without a lot of TLC. They are of high original quality, and made about 1810 [bridled frizzens with roller springs along with semi-waterproof pans.] Are they rifled? The 2 leaf sights and set triggers would suggest this. Still a fine pair of pistols.

All the best, Mal