After a year long tour of promotion, the Masonic Kentucky Rifle Project has come to a close. In June 2010 a lucky winner, one Robert Evans, was selected and is now the proud owner of this beautiful piece of artwork. Significant proceeds were raised to benefit the PVMC. With the success of this unique project, PVMC will have exciting new projects for the future. Stay tuned...
Images, top to bottom: (1) Tim Shumar, PM lodge #346 presents the winner, Robert Evans, with the rifle. (2) Artist and gun creator Peter Alexander with Robert Evans. (3) Robert and Tim in front of the Pleasant Valley Masonic Center.
Gun is finished!!
Peter has finished the Masonic Kentucky Rifle. See below for photos of the gun in its completed state. Additional progress photos are available below also.
Finished product (1st June, 2009):
Peter has completed the gun. Details on the fine craftsmanship can be seen in the photos below. Photography by Dale Roos. See specific notes on the images below the gallery viewer.
Details on the photos are as follows:
Details of the patch box. The brass with sterling silver inlay patchbox features Masonic text and likeness of King Solomon of Israel on the finial. On the lid is enscribed, Acts 22, verse 28, And the Chief Captain answered with a great sum I obtained this freedom, And Paul said, but I was freeborn.
Another shot of the rear stock. Note the details on the patchbox, wrist, and comb.
Details of open patch box. Patchbox open with brass cleaning jag stored inside.
Details of brass-plated lock and relief carvings.
Close-up of lock. Jim Chambers Deluxe Siler Flintlock boasts a brass plate. The graceful hand forged hand set triggers, set well within the elongated trigger guard. Also shown are the relief carvings in the curly maple at the rear of the barrel tang and wrist.
Ornately engraved sterling silver barrel key escutcheon and ramrod pipe.
Details of lock, trigger, and patch-box. Note the hand engraving on the trigger guard.
The curly maple rifle stock features hand-engraved Square & Compasses, the braizen pillars with the celestrial and terrestrial globes of Boaz and Jachin, and a sword inlayed in brass and sterling silver. In addition, the elaborately carved stock features brass and sterling silver inlays accentuated with sterling silver wire. A solid cast brass butt plate anchors the ornate rifle and features a sterling silver rope inlayed in the heel.
Another close view of the rear stock
Detailed view of wrist and thumb piece. The winner of the rifle will be given the opportunity to have their personal monogram engaved upon the brass and sterling silver thumb piece at the wrist of the rifle.
Detailed view of butt plate and cheek piece.
Square and compass on bottom of rear stock.
Another detailed view of trigger assembly and lock.
The rear ramrod pipe exhibits The Masters Hat, Square and The Blazing Sun, all of sterling silver inlayed into brass.
Engraved upon the nose cap is the Point Within A Circle. The Point Within A Circle was the operative Masons great secret of how to try his square.
Another detailed view of the patch box.
Detailed view of relief carving on wrist.
Another detailed view of rear ramrod pipe.
The signature of Peter A. Alexander appears engraved on the silver inlay in the rifle barrel.
Off side showing the sculpted side plate, relief carvings and brass and sterling silver inlays.
Off side of the rifle butt, showing the brass vent pick holder inserted below cheek piece.
Update (16th May, 2009):
The gun is nearing completion. Click on the photo preview to open a higher resolution image in a new window. See specific notes on the images below the gallery viewer.
Details on the photos are as follows:
Cutting out the mortise in the top barrel flat, behind the silver rear sight, for the silver inlay that, by tradition, holds the gunsmith's name. The silver inlay, 0.040 inches thick lies across the barrel ahead of the mortise. The mortise will be 0.035 inches deep, the sides undercut, and the silver will expand to fill the undercut, holding it in place.
The finished silver barrel inlay, and the silver rear sight. Both will show better after the barrel is blued.
The finished side plate, engraved. Square and compasses engraved beneath the rear lock bolt.
Carving done ahead of the patch box, with a modest amount of silver wire inlay to accentuate it.
The thumbplate on top of the wrist. The silver oval traditionally bears the owners initials - in this case, the winner's initials. The silver is surrounded by brass, engraved witn corn, taken from a jewel pixtured in the Exemplar.
The toe plate, on the underside of theh buttstock. Please note the silver coompasses, one tip of whhich points at a button protruding from the plate. This button, when pressed , may or may not open the patch box. To the rear of the button are engraved a hoodwink and a slipper, to remind any mason of his invitation.
Details of the carvings and inlays on the cheekpiece. Here we have two pillars that King Solomon had placed at the porch-way or entrance to the temple. When visiting King Solomon Lodge #346, I noticed the inner guard with his drawn sword, so here it is, with its silver blade.
Update & Initial Photos
Update and start of project. Click on the photo preview to open a higher resolution image in a new window.
