[Rarebooks] FS: "The American Percussion Schuetzen Rifle"

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

"The American Percussion Schuetzen Rifle"

By John Hamilton & Tom Rowe. Published by Rowe Publications in 2004.

“The waves of Germanic immigration during the 1840s and 1850s deposited
upon American shores a number of highly talented gunsmiths. In addition to
their normal work, these artisans continued to produce a style of
muzzle-loading percussion target rifle that was then popular in Germany,
Austria, and Switzerland. These specialized rifles, now made in America,
were used for a form of competition shooting festival (Schuetzenfest) that
had been popular in Europe since the Middle Ages, and was continued by the
recent immigrants as they spread across America. Such competition had
generally been conducted in the standing or “offhand” position. Thus, the
rifle’s ergonomically designed stock was custom-tailored to the Schuetzen
rifleman’s posture as he assumed a standing shooting position.

Impelled by the added talents of Anglo-American gunsmiths, a new style of
offhand rifle evolved in the latter half of the nineteenth century that
absorbed the heavy Germanic form and melded it with the simplicity of
design found in the finest English sporting arms. The design impact of
these arms was recognized by the American arms industry as we entered the
cartridge era and Schuetzen competition became a national multi-ethnic
pastime.

In this book the authors reveal examples of how these two firearm formats
were eventually blended to produce a precision percussion muzzle-loading
target rifle that was tailored to the American rifleman. Here, the authors
not only document in full color the works of many of the gunsmiths and
provide an index of known makers, but also review the loading accessories
deemed necessary to properly serve these extraordinary arms. The text
defines the special advantages of the Schuetzen style rifle, and addresses
the evolution that occurred in breeching and locking mechanisms”.

Hardcover. 11.5”x9”, 384 pages, hundreds of color and some black & white
and line illustrations, dust jacket. Fine, new condition.  $90.00

Some Pictures=>

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