11. rifle stocks - feuerwaffen · patron or the influence of the gunsmith and the ... show a...

11. Rifle Stocks 287

11. Rifle Stocks

Literature Durdik, Jan, Alte Feuerwaffen, Hanau, 1977, DuJaEssenwein, August, Quellen der Geschichte der Feuerwaffen, 1871, EsAuKist, J. B, Musket, Roer & Pistolet, Graz, 1974, KiJBOriginal firearms from private collections

Historical Overview

Apart from hand cannons, which fall more into the category of hand gunsrather than long guns, one can only presume that a wooden stock must havebeen an essential component from the very beginning. The reason for thisassumption is that a stock allows simpler handling, easier aiming and itautomatically provides a greater distance to the user and therefore a higherdegree of personal safety.

The oldest existing firearms were discovered in excavations, as well as finds inold ruins or even from lakes and rivers. The wooden stocks were rarely stillintact. There is nevertheless sufficient information from ancient chronicles,historical paintings as well as from other sources, which confirm the foregoingpresumption.

Weapons manufactured during later periods exhibit a large assortment of stockshapes. These vary greatly, depending on the area of origin, the period, thepatron or the influence of the gunsmith and the stock-maker.

The following is an attempt to bring a certain systematic reasoning into theclassification of stock shapes. With a few exceptions, only European stockpatterns are dealt with. This representation does not claim or make any attemptto be complete, but should provide an insight into the diverse stock shapes.

Fig. 11-0

Ca. 1740: Ornate stock of hunting rifle, SuhlPrivate collection; Photo: KuPe

11. Rifle Stocks Wooden Mounts288

Pictures of Firearm Stocks

Wooden Mounts

During the first stages of medium to large weapons design, the barrel section wasattached to a timber beam or board construction with ropes or leather straps. Themechanical integrity and weather resistance of such an arrangement was probably ofteninadequate.

Fig. 11 – 1 Ca. 1430:Siege Cannon

Woodcut by Roberte Valturio,Verona, 1483

Photo: HeRo, Page 19

Fig. 11 – 2 Ca. 1470:Cannon MountingSwitzerland

Four wooden wheels removed

Bernese Historical MuseumPhoto: KuPe

Fig. 11 – 3

Ca. 1455: Breech Loader with Elevation Control, FranceAdmiralty Library, London; Photo: PoDu, 7

11. Rifle StocksWooden Shafts 289

Wooden Shafts

In the style of earlier spears and pikes, many firearms were originally equipped with awooden shaft section. This type of weapon is generally referred to as a pole gun.

Wooden Shaft attached to Tang on BarrelIn rare cases, the attachment of the shaft was designed in the form of a tang, forged orcast onto the barrel. This tang was driven directly into the end face of the wooden shaft.Although the shaft was usually reinforced with iron ferrules, it was nevertheless a weakpoint because it could lead to the breaking of the shaft during fierce combat. Pole guns with tangs can be seen in the Landesmuseum in Linz, as well as in the ClunyMuseum in Paris. The Military Museum in Vienna also has a forged hand-cannon barrelfrom the Habsburg period with a shaft attached to a tang.

Fig. 11 – 4

Ca.1390: Forged Pol Gun Barrel, HabsburgWooden rod with tang and ferrules,wooden shaft attachment drawn in.Military Museum, Vienna; Photo: GaEr, Page 176 / KuPe

Wooden Shaft with tapered Socket Attachment

A widely used method to attach the shaft to the weapon was to press the wooden shaftinto a slightly tapered socket, forged or cast onto the rear end of the barrel. A wooden oriron pin was driven in at a right angle to prevent the shaft section from falling out.These two installation methods were also used to attach the metal tips on quarrels(crossbow darts). These methods of attachment are to be found on guns from Tannen-berg, Hildesheim and Tabor guns. In most cases, the original wooden stock wasunfortunately lost, and subsequently replaced by a new one.

A bronze pole gun, which still had the original stock, was found during 1871 in KurischenHaff near Schwarzort by Memel. The touch hole on the upper barrel can be closed with aswivel cover. An elongated hole to take a ramrod is situated in the octagonal oak stock.The ramrod is held in the stock with a rotating ring. This very interesting, and for the timequite advanced design, can be seen today in the Wojska Polskiego Museum in Warsaw.

11. Rifle Stocks Wooden Shafts290

Fig. 11 – 5

Ca. 1425: Wall Pole Gun, HildesheimShaft with Tapered Socket Installation Sketched in.Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum, Hildesheim; Photo: HoAr, Page 6 / KuPe

Fig. 11 – 6

Ca. 1370: Heavy Pole GunBronze barrel; reconstructed wooden rodPrivate collection; Photo: KuPe

Fig. 11 – 7

Ca. 1350: Four-Barreled Pole GunBarrels with iron bands attached to elongated socket Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: PoDu, 1

Fig. 11 – 8

Ca. 1400: Short Pole Gun, Kurisches HaffExcavated in Kurischen HaffWojska Polskiego Museum, Warschau; Photo: HoAr, Page 8

11. Rifle StocksIron Rods 291

Iron Rods

There is a particular variation of the pole gun where an iron rod is forged together with abreech plug right into the barrel. Typical representatives of this design are theRegensburger gun on display at the Germanic National Museum in Nürnberg, theVedelspang guns at the Trojhus Museum in Copenhagen, as well as a similar gun at theMusèe de l’armée in Paris.

Fig. 11 – 9

Ca. 1410: Wall Gun, TyrolForged iron rod with eyeletBernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu

Fig. 11 – 10

Ca. 1410: Vedelspang Wall Gun, SchleswigForged on iron rodTojhusmuseet, Copenhagen; Photo: HoAr, Page 9

Fig. 11 – 11

Ca. 1420: Wall Gun, Lake of Constance, GermanyForged on curved iron rodBernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu

Fig. 11 – 12

Ca. 1450: Rod Wall Gun, AustriaCurved iron rod with ringMilitary Museum, Vienna; Photo: GaEr, Page 182

11. Rifle Stocks Basic Timber Stocks292

Basic Timber Stocks

A well preserved example of a timber shaft is the so-called Berner Büchse at the BerneseHistorical Museum. It most likely originates from the last part of the 14th century. Theshort forged iron barrel is imbedded into a channel at the front of the stock and isattached to it with two iron bands which encircle stock and barrel. The shaft is flattenedbehind the barrel and tapers down to a round stock. It is thought that the hook, whichprotrudes through the flat section of the stock, was not added until the 15th century.

Fig. 11 – 13

Ca. 1380: Bernese Hand Cannon, SwitzerlandThe barrel is in a trough and is attached with two iron bands.Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu

Fig. 11 – 14

Ca. 1380: Small Bernes Wall Gun, SwitzerlandHook was probably set in the stock at a later dateBernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu

Fig. 11 – 15

Ca. 1380: Stocked Hand Gun, ItalyStock design similar to those used on crossbows of the timeOwner unknown; Photo: CiAl, Page 18

11. Rifle StocksStepped Timber Stocks 293

Stepped Timber Stocks

A hand cannon, built from two opposite spiraling forged tubes made from iron rods,additionally strengthened with several shrunk on iron rings, originates from the timearound 1430. This weapon has a stepped timber shaft, partially supporting the barrelbase so that the recoil can be absorbed better. This hand cannon is also in the BerneseHistorical Museum. The so-called Tiber Hand Gun was found in the Tiber River nearRome.In addition to iron bands on the stock, iron cross pins have been added at a later date.Lugs with a hole were forged, cast or dovetailed to the underside of the barrel. Wall gunstyle weapons are often equipped with additional attachment holes in the hook. The pinswere driven through the shaft and the barrel lug.A transitional solution with a band and three pins on a semi-wall gun can be found in aprivate collection. In some rare cases the barrel attachment is designed to use woodenpins as can be seen in the example of a wall gun dated around 1480 in the collection ofthe Museum Allerheiligen in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

Fig. 11 – 16

Ca. 1430: Tiber Hand Cannon, ItalyFound in the Tiber River near RomBernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu

Fig. 11 – 17

Ca. 1450: Hand Cannon, MallorcaBarrel attached to grooved wooden stock with two iron bandsPatrimonia National, Madrid; Photo: PoDu, Page 51

Fig. 11 – 18

Ca. 1490: Brass Wall gun, Wirmund, SwitzerlandCylindrical barrel attached to stock by iron wireBernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu

11. Rifle Stocks Early Arquebus Stocks294

Early Arquebus Stocks

For the arquebus stock, the breach of the barrel was fully supported by a step in the stock.Therefore, the recoil was transmitted completely to the wood. A very early example of thisis the Lot rifle in the City Museum in Stockholm. It was found in 1953 on a ship wreck inStockholm harbor.Further examples are the South German semi-arquebus rifles dated from around 1425,which can be seen in the collection of the Museum Allerheiligen in Schaffhausen,Switzerland.

Fig. 11 – 19

Ca. 1480: Long Semi-Arquebus, Lake of Constance AreaBarrel attachment with iron bands and pinsPrivate collection; Photo: KuPe

Fig. 11 – 20

Ca. 1500: Arquebus Stock, GermanReconstruction after Jan DurdikPrivate collection; Photo: KuPe

Fig. 11 – 21

Ca. 1550: Arquebus Stock, GermanBronze-barreled arquebus with emblem of Virmont Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu

11. Rifle StocksDouble Wall Gun Stocks 295

Double Wall Gun Stocks

Large wall guns, also refered to as double wall guns, were usually supported on theparapet of a fortification. The marksman held the back with both hands to aim at thetarget. A special form of rear shaft with a long, often hexagon-shaped end, has proven tobe very good for this purpose.

Fig. 11 – 22

Ca. 1500: Bronze Double Wall Gun, SwitzerlandPrivate collection; Photo: KuPe

Fig. 11 – 23

Ca. 1500: Big Matchlock Double Wall Gun, SwitzerlandSwiss National Museum, Zurich; Photo: ScHu2

Fig. 11 – 24

Ca. 1530: Bronze Wall Gun, Hombrechtikon, SwitzerlandBernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu

11. Rifle Stocks Arquebus Stocks296

Arquebus Stocks

Around 1580 most of the European armies used so-called musket stocks. These stocksshow a relatively flat trapezoidal shape with the top and the bottom curving inwards andwith a high upper ridge with a generous cutout for the thumb. The shapes of theArquebus stocks varied slightly from region to region. One could differentiate forexample, between the Dutch and German Arquebus stocks.

Fig. 11 – 25 Ca. 1490:Matchlock ArquebusAustria

Early plain version

Landesmuseum, GrazPhoto: HoAr, Page 15

Fig. 11 – 26 Ca. 1570:Elaborately decoratedMatchlock Arquebus,Germany

Mother-of-peal inlay

Owner unknownPhoto: BaDe, Page 11

Fig. 11 – 27 Ca. 1580:Matchlock ArquebusHabsburg, Austria

Military Museum, Vienna; Photo: GaEr, Page 185

11. Rifle StocksArquebus Stocks 297

Fig. 11 – 28 Ca. 1590:Artistically decorated Arquebus, Dutch

Mother-of-pearl inlay

Owner unknownPhoto: PeHa, Page 18

Fig. 11 – 29 Ca. 1620:Military Wheel LockArquebus, Switzerland

Reconstruction

Private collectionPhoto: KuPe

Fig. 11 – 30 Ca. 1630:Match Lock Arquebus,Suhl

German Historical Museum, BerlinPhoto: DoVl, Page 227

Fig. 11 – 31 Ca. 1630:Match Lock Arquebus,France

Cabinet d’Armes, Louis XIII.Photo: MüHe, Page 61

11. Rifle Stocks Petronel Stocks298

Petronel Stocks

In the middle of the 16th century, gun stocks with sharp downward curved buttsappeared. The marksman pressed the weapon with his right hand against his chest orchest protector. These stock forms were therefore called Petrinal or Petrinel (from Frenchpoitrine or Latin pectus) . This unusual shape was commonly used both in France and inthe western part of Germany. According to old records, the Petronels were mainly used bythe cavalry. It was possible to rest the end of the butt in a bracket attached to the chestarmour of the rider. At the front, the Petronel was supported in a fork that was mountedon the saddle. This allowed the rider to have a free hand to guide the horse.

Fig. 11 – 32 1586:Splendorous PetronelCentral Europe

Bone inlay

German Historical Museum, BerlinPhoto: MüHe, Page 95

Fig. 11 – 33 Ca. 1590:Artistically ornatedPetronel, Central Europe

Owner unknownPhoto: DuJa, Page 210

Fig. 11 – 34 Ca. 1590:Petronel, Germany


11. Rifle StocksGerman Hunting Stocks 299

German Hunting Stocks

A hunting stock that was distinguished by an extended plate-like flare at its base,developed in the area between central and south Germany.

Fig. 11 – 35 Ca. 1550:Wheel Lock GunAustria

Wolf Paumgartner, Graz

Bavarian Museum, MunichPhoto: BaDe, Page 6

Fig. 11 – 36 Ca. 1570:Ornate Wheel Lock Gun,Germany

Stag horn engravings


Fig. 11 – 37 Ca. 1600:Beautiful Wheel LockGun, Germany

Bavarian National Museum, Munich

Photo: WiFr, Page 50

Fig. 11 – 38 Ca. 1640:Snaphaunce HuntingGun, South Germany

Nuremberger snaphaunce


11. Rifle Stocks Unusual Stocks300

Unusual Stocks

These stocks vary in shape and are dependant on the period of their manufacture, theindividual wishes of their owner or on the particular geographical region involved.

Fig. 11 – 39 Ca. 1540:Match Lock GunGermany

Spiral but stock

Bavarian Army Museum, MunichPhoto: HoAr, Page 19

Fig. 11 – 40 Ca. 1590:Ornate Wheel LockMusket

Strasbourg stock

Owner unknownPhoto: WiFr. Page 6

Fig. 11 – 41 Ca. 1620:Wheel Lock MusketFrance

Reconstruction


Fig. 11 – 42 Ca. 1620:Ornately docoratedWheel Lock Gun, Italy

Angled Stock

Wallace Collection, LondonPhoto: PoDu, Page 124

11. Rifle StocksUnusual Stocks 301

Fig. 11 – 43 Ca. 1649:Superb SnaphaunceMusketItaly?Carved walnut stock withdragon

Livrustkamaren Castle, SkoklosterPhoto: KiJB, Page 32

Fig. 11 – 44 Ca. 1650:Ornate Matchlock GunSweden

Swedish National MuseumPhoto: PoDu, Page 80

Fig. 11 – 45 Ca. 1650:Artistically decoratedWheel Lock Carbine,Dutch


Fig. 11 – 46 1714:Snaphaunce MusketItaly

Wallace Collection, London

Photo: KuPe

11. Rifle Stocks Unusual Stocks302

Fig. 11 – 47 Ca. 1720:Wheel Lock RifleSouth Italy

Wallace Collection, LondonPhoto: DuJa, Page 59

Fig. 11 – 48 Ca. 1740:Flintlock Hunting MusketSpain

Madrid Stock


Fig. 11 – 49 1809:Richly ornamentedFlintlock Musket,Napoleon 2nd

Musée de l’Armée, ParisPhoto: KuPe

Fig. 11 – 50 1844:Late Matchlock Gun

Spanish-American stock

Owner unknownPhoto: BaDe, Page 6

11. Rifle StocksTschinken Stocks, Target Stocks 303

Tschinken Stocks

The very light construction of the Tschinken guns with their components for the wheel lockmainly placed externally, have a very unique stock form.

Fig. 11 – 51 Ca. 1620:Ornate Tschinken GunBohemia

Owner unknownPhoto: BaWi, Page 14

Fig. 11 – 52 Ca. 1680:Artistically decoratedTschinke, Teschen

Wojska Museum, PolskiegoPhoto: MüHe, Page 93

Target Stocks

In order to improve handling, the stock of the target rifle was shaped so that the bestpossible fit against the shoulder could be achieved.

Fig. 11 – 53 Ca. 1510: Tinder Lock gunBasle, Switzerland

Reconstruction


Fig. 11 – 54 1570:Superb decoratedMatchlock Gun, Austria

Paumgartner, Graz

Kunsthistorisches Museum, ViennaPhoto: KuPe

11. Rifle Stocks Target Stocks304

Fig. 11 – 55 Ca. 1620:Heavy Target RifleGermany


Fig. 11 – 56 Ca. 1690:Flintlock Target RifleGerman


Fig. 11 – 57 Ca. 1700:Flintlock Target RifleSwitzerland

Hans Rudolf Boller, Zurich


Fig. 11 – 58 Ca. 1850:Percussion Target RifleSwitzerland


11. Rifle StocksGerman Rifle Stocks 305

German Rifle Stocks

Two distinctly different trends became noticeable in the second half of the 17th century.These were the further development of the German stocks and the emergence of theFrench stocks. The German stock was mainly found on rifles used in Austria, Germany and theBohemian countries. Up to about 1800, this form of stock was also made in the Baltic countries as well as inPoland and Lithuania.

Fig. 11 – 59 Ca. 1650:Military Wheel Lock Gun,Austria

Military Museum, ViennaPhoto: GaEr, 2

Fig. 11 – 60 Ca. 1650:Military Wheel Lock Gun,Suhl

German Historical Museum, Berlin;

Photo: GaEr, Page 191

Fig. 11 – 61 Ca. 1680:Military Wheel LockMusket, Austria

Military Museum, ViennaPhoto: BaDe, Page 14

Fig. 11 – 62 Ca. 1740:Wheel Lock Infantry Gun,M. 1723Prussia

Zeughaus BerlinPhoto: MüHe2, page 90

11. Rifle Stocks French Stocks306

French Stocks

Outside the German speaking regions of Europe the style of the French Stock waspredominant. This shape permitted a much firmer support of the butt-plate against theshoulder and therefore improved the aim. It was first manufactured in France, theNetherlands and in the west of Germany. The French Stock was further developed into theDanish Stock in Denmark. Over the years, the French Stock was refined and manyembellishments were added such as checkering, carvings, inlays in horn, bone, ivory andprecious metals. The appearance was often enhanced even further through decoratedbutt-plates, side plates and thumb guards. A French Stock equipped with a woodentrigger guard is also frequently called a Kapuziner Stock.

Fig. 11 – 63 Ca. 1720:Flint Lock MusketZeughaus ZurichSwitzerland


Fig. 11 – 64 Ca. 1720:Flint Lock HuntingMusket, Germany

A French stock with a carvedwooden trigger guard isfrequently called a KapuzinerstockOwner unknownPhoto: BaDe, Page 39

Fig. 11 – 65 Ca. 1754:Infantry Flint LockMusket, M. 1754Austria


11. Rifle StocksFrench Stocks 307

Fig. 11 – 66 Ca. 1754:Flint Lock MusketM. 1754France


Fig. 11 – 67 Ca. 1871:Infantry Breech-LoadingCarbine, M. 1871England

System Snider


Fig. 11 – 68 Ca. 1880:Short-Stocked Blunder-bussSpain

Naval gun


Fig. 11 – 69 Ca. 1889:Repeating Rifle, M. 1889Switzerland


11. Rifle Stocks Pistol Grip Stocks308

Pistol Grip Stocks

A specific stock shape influenced by the shape of pistol stocks started to be used in centralEurope, Britain and the British Colonies. This was the so-called pistol grip stock. On theunderside of the neck was a pistol grip shaped appendage, which in an extended formcould serve as a gripping point for the right hand. However, this feature was often usedfor decorative purposes only.

Fig. 11 – 70 Ca. 1880:Percussion RifleColonial Area,England


Fig. 11 – 71 1888:Winchester Rifle, M. 1873Buffalo BillAmerica

Private collectionPhoto: BaDe, Page 66

Fig. 11 – 72 Ca. 1900:Hunting ShotgunGermany


11. Rifle StocksWalking-Stick Stocks 309

Walking-Stick Stocks

Firearms were often taken along on walks or while traveling. In most cases, the ownerwished to have the means for self defense while promenading. Apparently, there weredubious figures around who had quite evil intentions. This was most likely the reasonfirearms and edged weapons were manufactured in the shape of walking sticks. Thehandling of such weapons, with respect to loading, preparing to shoot, aiming and firing,was certainly not easy.

Fig. 11 –73 Ca. 1775:Takedown Walking Stick,Bustindui, EibarSpain

Catalonian snaphaunce lock

Museum Poldi Pezzoli, MilanoPhoto: CiAl, Page 40

Fig. 11 – 74 Ca. 1870:Percussion Walking-StickGunSwitzerland


Fig. 11 – 75 Ca. 1880:Walking-Stick GunGermany

Handle with bayonet lockrim fire cartridge


11. Rifle Stocks Takedown Stocks310

Takedown Stocks

A takedown hunting gun, which could be hidden inside one’s jerkin, created the possibilityfor a poacher to inconspicuously enter a forbidden hunting ground. In the majority ofcases, the but could be detached from the stock by using a bayonet connection. Thepicture below shows a poacher’s weapon that has the front end threaded onto the rear ofthe barrel .

Fig. 11 – 76 Ca. 1870:Dismountable PoachersShotgunSwitzerland

Bayonet attachment betweenshaft and buttS. Wiederkehr, Bremgarten


Remarks

The preceding description with accompanying photographs is an attempt to introduce somesystem to the various stock designs. The variety of shapes is so large that the chapter iscertainly far from complete. Since the final stock design is completely dependant on theavailable means, the local habits and customs, the requirements of the owner as well as theartistic ability of the stock maker or gunsmith, many different interpretations of stock shapesare possible.

11. rifle stocks - feuerwaffen · patron or the influence of the gunsmith and the ... show a...

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