| Defarbing Common Defarbs Restorations & Repairs Custom-Made Repros |
Reference List: U.S. Muskets and U.S. Rifles C.S. Muskets and C.S. Rifles Imports |
John's Background BOOKS Available Links |
 |
JOHN'S BACKGROUND |
| Gaining over thirty five years experience in the production, restoration, repair and modification of all types of firearms, John's preference is building, repairing, and modifying Civil War era firearms. He has been repairing and defarbing reproduction civil war era longarms and sidearms at eastern theater civil war reenactments for many years now. John bears a rich family history built on several generations of gunsmiths including one federal ordnance sergeant who served during the Civil War. John has produced many fine pieces which are now in the hands of grateful reenactors, skirmishers, and collectors. He is an indispensible source of information for collectors and even institutions such as the Smithsonian. John possesses an impressive personal reference collection of original civil war era gunsmith tools, original letter/number stamps, and reproductions of original proofing and inspectors stamps. John's finished work is not just "similar" to the original, but nearly identical to the original. While the quality of John's work is exceptional, his prices are reasonable. |
| Defarbing" is the process of removing all modern markings from a reproduction firearm and replacing them with the correct period marks. Manufacturer's markings are removed and the serial number (req'd by federal law) is moved to an inconspicuous location on the bottom of the barrel. Then the barrel (and barrel bands on a Springfield) and stock are stamped with authentic inspectors and proofing marks. The reproduction Enfield lockplate washers are replaced with correct washers. Unit information can also be stamped on the buttplate tang with original stamps. |
| Modify (defarb) a longarm - Springfield | $40.00 |
| Modify (defarb) a longarm - Enfield replace lockplate washers w/correct style polish barrel re-blue barrel / case harden (& color) lockplate | $40.00 $10.00 $60.00 $85.00 |
| In order to provide a quality gun at a reasonable price, John makes bulk purchases of firearms from Euroarms of America (EOA), Taylor's and Co. (T&C) Armisport and Dixie Gun Works (DGW). He then defarbs these guns and repairs any imperfections. This allows you to purchase a more authentic reproduction firearm (musket, rifle, carbine, or revolver) at less cost than if you purchased the gun and defarbing services separately. Most of these firearms are generally in stock and can be delivered in a minimum amount of time. |
| LONGARMS of the CIVIL WAR Era Prices available on request |
|
Model 1816 U.S. Flintlock Musket (Converted to percussion) Model 1842 U.S. Percussion Musket Model 1842 U.S. Percussion Rifle Musket Model 1855 U.S. Percussion Rifle-Musket Model 1861 U.S. Percussion Rifle-Musket Model 1863 U.S. Percussion Rifle-Musket, Type I & Type II U.S. Contract Muskets, Cadet Muskets, & Artillery Muskets Model 1841 U.S. Percussion Rifle, "Mississippi Rifle" Model 1841 U.S. Percussion Rifle (National Armory alteration) Model 1855 U.S. Percussion Rifle U.S. Contract Rifles Richmond Armory Percussion Rifle-Musket Other C.S. Muskets can be produced if parts are available. See note on availability. Cook & Brother Rifle Other C.S. Rifles can be produced. See note on availability. Enfield Percussion Rifle-Musket Enfield Percussion Rifle Enfield Percussion Musketoon |
| Original firearms are restored using as many original parts as can be procured to ensure maximum authenticity. Reproduction parts are only used when it is not possible to obtain original parts or the customer requests them. Restoration work varies greatly, ranging from a simple replacement of a barrel band to the more complicated overhauling of a lock assembly. Cost of parts also varies from one firearm to another. And, of course, manhours required to perform the restoration is also a variable. Therefore, a separate estimate for each firearm restoration job is required. Estimates cannot be given without inspecting the firearm. Repairs to reproduction firearms are performed using standard replacement parts and John's expert gunsmithing skills to meet specifications while keeping costs down. |
| Custom-made reproductions take 12 months or longer to complete. John normally uses American-made components when assembling his longarm reproductions. These high quality components more closely match the original firearm. The first step in the production of a civil war era longarm is to purchase the needed parts. Reproduction parts are normally used but occasionally an original part may be used simply because it is available or because it is the only part which will work in the situation. The next step is the actual, labor intensive, custom assembly of the parts. This process varies from one longarm to another and requires experience and skill. The last step is the application of the finishing touches which add authenticity to the piece. This process requires many man-hours of labor. |
| The many variables involved in producing a longarm (eg., cost of parts and time required) makes it impossible to give exact prices for every longarm. Price quotes will be given for a particular weapon upon request. Custom made reproductions cost $1600.00 or more. |
| Various Contract muskets, cadet muskets and rifles can be produced if parts are available. Please call to verify that a specific contract rifle or musket can be made. |
| Call: 304-535-2558 |
| Estimates for weapon repairs or appraisals of a weapon's value can only be made if the weapon is here in the shop. Either bring your weapon in, or ship your weapon, prepaid and insured via UPS (DO NOT ship through the U.S. Postal Service!). The charge for a repair estimate is $25 (which will be credited to any repair work performed) plus a $25-$45 return shipping fee. The charge for a professional appraisal is $25 (perhaps more depending on the amount of additional research required to make an accurate appraisal) plus a $25-$45 return shipping fee. Do not seek estimates or appraisals over the phone as it is quite impossible to provide this information without having the weapon available for visual inspection. Please call before shipping your weapon and ship to the street address (not P.O. box) listed at the top of this web page. |
| New (& previously read) Books Available On-line | |||
| Civil War Firearms : Their Historical Background, Tactical Use and Modern Collecting and Shooting by Joseph G. Bilby Hardcover-320 pages (August '97) Price range: $34 - $47 |
 |
Complete Blackpowder Handbook Paperback - 416 pages (October 2001) Price range: $13 - $17 |
 |
| Civil War Guns by William B. Edwards Pub: Thomas Publishers, reprinted Oct 97 (a 60's classic!) Price range: $35 - $40 |
 |
Civil War Breach Loading Rifles: A Survey of the Innovative Infantry Arms of the American Civil War by John McAuloy Paperback - 128 pages Pub: Andrew Mowbray Publishers, May '87 Price range: $11.50 - $15 |
 |
| Colt Rifles and Muskets from 1847-1870 by Herbert G. Houze Hardcover, 192pp. Pub: Krause Publications, May 1996 Price range: $24 - $28 |
 |
Blackpowder Loading Manual Price: $5.99 |
 |
| A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers by R. Bruce McDowell Hardcover, 464pp. Pub: Krause Publications, Feb 1997. Price: $28+ |
 |
Antique Guns: The Collector's Guide Paperback - 320 pages Price: $6.99 |
 |
| Hard Tack and Coffee by John B. Billings First published more than 100 years ago, an absorbing first-person account of the everyday life of a U.S. Army soldier during Civil War. Over 200 sketches by C.W. Reed. Paperback, 406pp. Pub: Digital Scanning Inc., May 2001. Price range: $16.95 - $19.95 |
 |
Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values, 8th Edition Price range: $17 - $23 |
 |
| The Encyclopedia of Civil War Usage: An Illustrated Compendium of the Everyday Language of Soldiers and Civilians by Cheryl Garrison, Webb B. Garrison Hardcover, 274pp. Pub: Cumberland House, Apr 2001. Price: $18.45 |  |
Gunsmithing: Guns of the Old West by David R. Chicoine, Paperback - 352 pages Pub: Krause Publishing, Nov '01 Price: $13.50 |  |