Inlays
This section contains our ever increasing line of inlays! There are die cut, investment cast (the very finely detailed type), saw cut from flat plate stock and flat ribbon wire inlay. Any inlay in die cut or saw cut section is now available in sterling silver by request; however, pricing is according to cost and subject to constant adjustment. Some of our investment castings are sterling as well. Orders for sterling silver parts are a custom order, priced at the time of order, and a delay should be expected to process. Although this is inconvenient, a lot of money can get tied up in sterling silver parts. I hope you understand we do not stock all these custom parts in sterling silver until you order. New inlays will soon be introduced for several new designs from both original rifles and contemporary styles. These will include authentic and contemporary wrist inlays, matched sets of forestock inlays as seen on original rifles which are comprised of two larger lower and at least four smaller upper forestock inlays of the same design. These differ in size relation for better accurate and authentic architecture, making the gun look slimmer as the eye travels up its length. All of our new work will be added as we complete each type. Many schools are in process!
Our own die cut inlays machine stamped from plate stock available in brass, german silver, some steel, and sterling silver upon custom order. This group of inlays is our same product line of old; however, what is different is that most are available in sterling silver. Those that are not are noted.
On original rifles of early styles, inlays were limited to necessary locations, if any were found at all. However, as the increased demand of these fine longrifles continued, the artistry ascended as well. Some inlays performed a function as a wear plate for a particular location, while others were for no other reason but decoration. Many were well designed at the height of the Golden Age to provide both the durability required and the decoration as well. Our die cut inlays are of .040 thick solid and pure stock. Those unavailable in sterling silver are noted. Just ask! No die cut or saw cut inlays are engraved. Patterns shown on these full size inlay illustrations are suggestions only.
Saw Cut sideplates hold the most promise in reproduction of original drawings. We can take line drawings, copies or tracings and reproduce your own pattern at a reasonable shop labor rate. Our line of sideplates includes many which have been around for a long time, but our custom creation ability we have allows us to manufacture beautiful and sometimes very ornate patterns. New patterns are in constant development. Accurate and original styles are underway! Look for the new!
Each is cut from .040 thick plate and provided with the engraving pattern as shown. Parts are Not Engraved! These inlays are saw cut with straight sides which enables any installation for left or right hand rifles, or to create a new design.
Investment cast inlays. These investment castings are also known as wax cast; a nickname describing the lost wax method of casting. A good way to remember the difference is to remember you have an investment in investment castings since they always cost substantially more.
The most important issue at hand is the addition of new wrist inlays, some of which are available in sterling silver. New authentic reproductions of original inlays are underway and will be added as they are completed.
The following inlays have been made with the investment casting process. This process will provide a preformed shape in a quality near the original piece it is cast from. The quality of the casting tells the quality of the piece cast from it. This is an exciting section in this catalog as it represents an area where new pieces are badly needed. New inlays for forestocks is in the works as well as wrist and other inlays of interest for use in both pistols and rifles. I am requesting of you that if you come across an original piece (hopefully one in very good condition of very good design) that you share it with us so that we may possibly consider it for reproduction. The piece would of course be returned to you as soon as we make ourselves a working copy of it. I thank you in advance for your help. Look for our new releases in this section! We will add them as we complete each project.
Wrist Inlays
Made in the investment cast lost wax process these inlays represent some very beautiful and quite ornate examples of English and French influenced design. Although these pieces were prevalent on European pieces primarily, our American rifles and pistols would not always carry this ornate style. Kentucky pieces generally employed the use of a more simplified oval, almost always in coin silver, and used this location as a place to inscribe the initials of the guns owner. Due to changes in the market call for the most up-to-date pricing on the silver inlays.
These inlays were originally made for the use of a pick to help with the cleaning of a touch hole, nipple or any other crack or crevice needing attention. Each one shown below is appropriate to particular schools of Kentucky rifles. Install by inletting flush into the wood with pick up underneath the cheek. This under cheek area should be barely contoured and match the flat of the butt as it transitions into the wrist. The area up under the cheek was generally flat. We provide a custom made pick with decorative loop with each inlay. The inlays are not engraved but are shown here full size! Any of these pick inlays may be ordered custom in sterling silver. Pick is stainless steel.
These inlays were originally made for the use of a pick to help with the cleaning of a touch hole, nipple or any other crack or crevice needing attention. Each one shown below is appropriate to particular schools of Kentucky rifles. Install by inletting flush into the wood with pick up underneath the cheek. This under cheek area should be barely contoured and match the flat of the butt as it transitions into the wrist. The area up under the cheek was generally flat. We provide a custom made pick with decorative loop with each inlay. The inlays are not engraved but are shown here full size! Any of these pick inlays may be ordered custom in sterling silver. Pick is stainless steel.