11. Rifle Stocks 287
11. Rifle Stocks
Literature Durdik, Jan, Alte Feuerwaffen, Hanau, 1977, DuJa Essenwein, August, Quellen der Geschichte der Feuerwaffen, 1871, EsAu Kist, J. B, Musket, Roer & Pistolet, Graz, 1974, KiJB Original firearms from private collections
Historical Overview
Apart from hand cannons, which fall more into the category of hand guns rather than long guns, one can only presume that a wooden stock must have been an essential component from the very beginning. The reason for this assumption is that a stock allows simpler handling, easier aiming and it automatically provides a greater distance to the user and therefore a higher degree of personal safety.
The oldest existing firearms were discovered in excavations, as well as finds in old ruins or even from lakes and rivers. The wooden stocks were rarely still intact. There is nevertheless sufficient information from ancient chronicles, historical paintings as well as from other sources, which confirm the foregoing presumption.
Weapons manufactured during later periods exhibit a large assortment of stock shapes. These vary greatly, depending on the area of origin, the period, the patron or the influence of the gunsmith and the stock-maker.
The following is an attempt to bring a certain systematic reasoning into the classification of stock shapes. With a few exceptions, only European stock patterns are dealt with. This representation does not claim or make any attempt to be complete, but should provide an insight into the diverse stock shapes.
Fig. 11-0
Ca. 1740: Ornate stock of hunting rifle, Suhl Private collection; Photo: KuPe 288 11. Rifle Stocks Wooden Mounts
Pictures of Firearm Stocks
Wooden Mounts
During the first stages of medium to large weapons design, the barrel section was attached to a timber beam or board construction with ropes or leather straps. The mechanical integrity and weather resistance of such an arrangement was probably often inadequate.
Fig. 11 – 1 Ca. 1430: Siege Cannon
Woodcut by Roberte Valturio, Verona, 1483
Photo: HeRo, Page 19
Fig. 11 – 2 Ca. 1470: Cannon Mounting Switzerland
Four wooden wheels removed
Bernese Historical Museum Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 3
Ca. 1455: Breech Loader with Elevation Control, France Admiralty Library, London; Photo: PoDu, Page 27 Wooden Shafts 11. Rifle Stocks 289
Wooden Shafts
In the style of earlier spears and pikes, many firearms were originally equipped with a wooden shaft section. This type of weapon is generally referred to as a pole gun.
Wooden Shaft attached to Tang on Barrel In rare cases, the attachment of the shaft was designed in the form of a tang, forged or cast 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 weak point 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 Cluny Museum in Paris. The Military Museum in Vienna also has a forged hand-cannon barrel from the Habsburg period with a shaft attached to a tang.
Fig. 11 – 4
Ca.1390: Forged Pol Gun Barrel, Habsburg Wooden 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 shaft into a slightly tapered socket, forged or cast onto the rear end of the barrel. A wooden or iron 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 was unfortunately lost, and subsequently replaced by a new one.
A bronze pole gun, which still had the original stock, was found during 1871 in Kurischen Haff near Schwarzort by Memel. The touch hole on the upper barrel can be closed with a swivel 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 time quite advanced design, can be seen today in the Wojska Polskiego Museum in Warsaw. 290 11. Rifle Stocks Wooden Shafts
Fig. 11 – 5
Ca. 1425: Wall Pole Gun, Hildesheim Shaft with Tapered Socket Installation Sketched in. Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum, Hildesheim; Photo: HoAr, Page 6 / KuPe
Fig. 11 – 6
Ca. 1370: Heavy Pole Gun Bronze barrel; reconstructed wooden rod Private collection; Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 7
Ca. 1350: Four-Barreled Pole Gun Barrels with iron bands attached to elongated socket Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: PoDu, Page 41
Fig. 11 – 8
Ca. 1400: Short Pole Gun, Kurisches Haff Excavated in Kurischen Haff Wojska Polskiego Museum, Warschau; Photo: HoAr, Page 8 Iron Rods 11. Rifle Stocks 291
Iron Rods
There is a particular variation of the pole gun where an iron rod is forged together with a breech plug right into the barrel. Typical representatives of this design are the Regensburger gun on display at the Germanic National Museum in Nürnberg, the Vedelspang guns at the Trojhus Museum in Copenhagen, as well as a similar gun at the Musèe de l’armée in Paris.
Fig. 11 – 9
Ca. 1410: Wall Gun, Tyrol Forged iron rod with eyelet Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu
Fig. 11 – 10
Ca. 1410: Vedelspang Wall Gun, Schleswig Forged on iron rod Tojhusmuseet, Copenhagen; Photo: HoAr, Page 9
Fig. 11 – 11
Ca. 1420: Wall Gun, Lake of Constance, Germany Forged on curved iron rod Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu
Fig. 11 – 12
Ca. 1450: Rod Wall Gun, Austria Curved iron rod with ring Military Museum, Vienna; Photo: GaEr, Page 182 292 11. Rifle Stocks Basic Timber Stocks
Basic Timber Stocks
A well preserved example of a timber shaft is the so-called Berner Büchse at the Bernese Historical Museum. It most likely originates from the last part of the 14th century. The short forged iron barrel is imbedded into a channel at the front of the stock and is attached to it with two iron bands which encircle stock and barrel. The shaft is flattened behind the barrel and tapers down to a round stock. It is thought that the hook, which protrudes through the flat section of the stock, was not added until the 15th century.
Fig. 11 – 13
Ca. 1380: Bernese Hand Cannon, Switzerland The 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, Switzerland Hook was probably set in the stock at a later date Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu
Fig. 11 – 15
Ca. 1380: Stocked Hand Gun, Italy Stock design similar to those used on crossbows of the time Owner unknown; Photo: CiAl, Page 18 Stepped Timber Stocks 11. Rifle 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 time around 1430. This weapon has a stepped timber shaft, partially supporting the barrel base so that the recoil can be absorbed better. This hand cannon is also in the Bernese Historical Museum. The so-called Tiber Hand Gun was found in the Tiber River near Rome. 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 gun style weapons are often equipped with additional attachment holes in the hook. The pins were 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 a private collection. In some rare cases the barrel attachment is designed to use wooden pins as can be seen in the example of a wall gun dated around 1480 in the collection of the Museum Allerheiligen in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
Fig. 11 – 16
Ca. 1430: Tiber Hand Cannon, Italy Found in the Tiber River near Rom Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu
Fig. 11 – 17
Ca. 1450: Hand Cannon, Mallorca Barrel attached to grooved wooden stock with two iron bands Patrimonia National, Madrid; Photo: PoDu, Page 51
Fig. 11 – 18
Ca. 1490: Brass Wall gun, Wirmund, Switzerland Cylindrical barrel attached to stock by iron wire Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu 294 11. Rifle Stocks Early Arquebus Stocks
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 this is the Lot rifle in the City Museum in Stockholm. It was found in 1953 on a ship wreck in Stockholm 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 Area Barrel attachment with iron bands and pins Private collection; Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 20
Ca. 1500: Arquebus Stock, German Reconstruction after Jan Durdik Private collection; Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 21
Ca. 1550: Arquebus Stock, German Bronze-barreled arquebus with emblem of Virmont Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu Double Wall Gun Stocks 11. Rifle Stocks 295
Double Wall Gun Stocks
Large wall guns, also refered to as double wall guns, were usually supported on the parapet of a fortification. The marksman held the back with both hands to aim at the target. A special form of rear shaft with a long, often hexagon-shaped end, has proven to be very good for this purpose.
Fig. 11 – 22
Ca. 1500: Bronze Double Wall Gun, Switzerland Private collection; Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 23
Ca. 1500: Big Matchlock Double Wall Gun, Switzerland Swiss National Museum, Zurich; Photo: ScHu2
Fig. 11 – 24
Ca. 1530: Bronze Wall Gun, Hombrechtikon, Switzerland Bernese Historical Museum; Photo: BHMu 296 11. Rifle Stocks Arquebus Stocks
Arquebus Stocks
Around 1580 most of the European armies used so-called musket stocks. These stocks show a relatively flat trapezoidal shape with the top and the bottom curving inwards and with a high upper ridge with a generous cutout for the thumb. The shapes of the Arquebus stocks varied slightly from region to region. One could differentiate for example, between the Dutch and German Arquebus stocks.
Fig. 11 – 25 Ca. 1490: Matchlock Arquebus Austria
Early plain version
Landesmuseum, Graz Photo: HoAr, Page 15
Fig. 11 – 26 Ca. 1570: Elaborately decorated Matchlock Arquebus, Germany
Mother-of-peal inlay
Owner unknown Photo: BaDe, Page 11
Fig. 11 – 27 Ca. 1580: Matchlock Arquebus Habsburg, Austria
Military Museum, Vienna; Photo: GaEr, Page 185 Arquebus Stocks 11. Rifle Stocks 297
Fig. 11 – 28 Ca. 1590: Artistically decorated Arquebus, Dutch
Mother-of-pearl inlay
Owner unknown Photo: PeHa, Page 18
Fig. 11 – 29 Ca. 1620: Military Wheel Lock Arquebus, Switzerland
Reconstruction
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 30 Ca. 1630: Match Lock Arquebus, Suhl
German Historical Museum, Berlin Photo: DoVl, Page 227
Fig. 11 – 31 Ca. 1630: Match Lock Arquebus, France
Cabinet d’Armes, Louis XIII. Photo: MüHe, Page 61 298 11. Rifle Stocks Petronel Stocks
Petronel Stocks
In the middle of the 16th century, gun stocks with sharp downward curved butts appeared. The marksman pressed the weapon with his right hand against his chest or chest protector. These stock forms were therefore called Petrinal or Petrinel (from French poitrine or Latin pectus) . This unusual shape was commonly used both in France and in the western part of Germany. According to old records, the Petronels were mainly used by the cavalry. It was possible to rest the end of the butt in a bracket attached to the chest armour of the rider. At the front, the Petronel was supported in a fork that was mounted on the saddle. This allowed the rider to have a free hand to guide the horse.
Fig. 11 – 32 1586: Splendorous Petronel Central Europe
Bone inlay
German Historical Museum, Berlin Photo: MüHe, Page 95
Fig. 11 – 33 Ca. 1590: Artistically ornated Petronel, Central Europe
Owner unknown Photo: DuJa, Page 210
Fig. 11 – 34 Ca. 1590: Petronel, Germany
Private collection Photo: KuPe German Hunting Stocks 11. Rifle 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 Gun Austria
Wolf Paumgartner, Graz
Bavarian Museum, Munich Photo: BaDe, Page 6
Fig. 11 – 36 Ca. 1570: Ornate Wheel Lock Gun, Germany
Stag horn engravings
German Historical Museum, Berlin Photo: MüHe, Page 68
Fig. 11 – 37 Ca. 1600: Beautiful Wheel Lock Gun, Germany
Bavarian National Museum, Munich Photo: WiFr, Page 50
Fig. 11 – 38 Ca. 1640: Snaphaunce Hunting Gun, South Germany
Nuremberger snaphaunce
Private collection Photo: KuPe 300 11. Rifle Stocks Unusual Stocks
Unusual Stocks
These stocks vary in shape and are dependant on the period of their manufacture, the individual wishes of their owner or on the particular geographical region involved.
Fig. 11 – 39 Ca. 1540: Match Lock Gun Germany
Spiral but stock
Bavarian Army Museum, Munich Photo: HoAr, Page 19
Fig. 11 – 40 Ca. 1590: Ornate Wheel Lock Musket
Strasbourg stock
Owner unknown Photo: WiFr. Page 6
Fig. 11 – 41 Ca. 1620: Wheel Lock Musket France
Reconstruction
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 42 Ca. 1620: Ornately docorated Wheel Lock Gun, Italy
Angled Stock
Wallace Collection, London Photo: PoDu, Page 124 Unusual Stocks 11. Rifle Stocks 301
Fig. 11 – 43 Ca. 1649: Superb Snaphaunce Musket Italy? Carved walnut stock with dragon
Livrustkamaren Castle, Skokloster Photo: KiJB, Page 32
Fig. 11 – 44 Ca. 1650: Ornate Matchlock Gun Sweden
Swedish National Museum Photo: PoDu, Page 80
Fig. 11 – 45 Ca. 1650: Artistically decorated Wheel Lock Carbine, Dutch
German Historical Museum, Berlin Photo: MüHe, Page 69
Fig. 11 – 46 1714: Snaphaunce Musket Italy
Wallace Collection, London Photo: KuPe 302 11. Rifle Stocks Unusual Stocks
Fig. 11 – 47 Ca. 1720: Wheel Lock Rifle South Italy
Wallace Collection, London Photo: DuJa, Page 59
Fig. 11 – 48 Ca. 1740: Flintlock Hunting Musket Spain
Madrid Stock
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 49 1809: Richly ornamented Flintlock Musket, Napoleon 2nd
Musée de l’Armée, Paris Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 50 1844: Late Matchlock Gun
Spanish-American stock
Owner unknown Photo: BaDe, Page 6 Tschinken Stocks, Target Stocks 11. Rifle Stocks 303
Tschinken Stocks
The very light construction of the Tschinken guns with their components for the wheel lock mainly placed externally, have a very unique stock form.
Fig. 11 – 51 Ca. 1620: Ornate Tschinken Gun Bohemia
Owner unknown Photo: BaWi, Page 14
Fig. 11 – 52 Ca. 1680: Artistically decorated Tschinke, Teschen
Wojska Museum, Polskiego Photo: MüHe, Page 93
Target Stocks
In order to improve handling, the stock of the target rifle was shaped so that the best possible fit against the shoulder could be achieved.
Fig. 11 – 53 Ca. 1510: Tinder Lock gun Basle, Switzerland
Reconstruction
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 54 1570: Superb decorated Matchlock Gun, Austria
Paumgartner, Graz
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna Photo: KuPe 304 11. Rifle Stocks Target Stocks
Fig. 11 – 55 Ca. 1620: Heavy Target Rifle Germany
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 56 Ca. 1690: Flintlock Target Rifle German
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 57 Ca. 1700: Flintlock Target Rifle Switzerland
Hans Rudolf Boller, Zurich
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 58 Ca. 1850: Percussion Target Rifle Switzerland
Private collection Photo: KuPe German Rifle Stocks 11. 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 the French stocks. The German stock was mainly found on rifles used in Austria, Germany and the Bohemian countries. Up to about 1800, this form of stock was also made in the Baltic countries as well as in Poland and Lithuania.
Fig. 11 – 59 Ca. 1650: Military Wheel Lock Gun, Austria
Military Museum, Vienna Photo: GaEr, Page 192
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 Lock Musket, Austria
Military Museum, Vienna Photo: BaDe, Page 14
Fig. 11 – 62 Ca. 1740: Wheel Lock Infantry Gun, M. 1723 Prussia
Zeughaus Berlin Photo: MüHe2, page 90 306 11. Rifle Stocks French Stocks
French Stocks
Outside the German speaking regions of Europe the style of the French Stock was predominant. This shape permitted a much firmer support of the butt-plate against the shoulder and therefore improved the aim. It was first manufactured in France, the Netherlands and in the west of Germany. The French Stock was further developed into the Danish Stock in Denmark. Over the years, the French Stock was refined and many embellishments were added such as checkering, carvings, inlays in horn, bone, ivory and precious metals. The appearance was often enhanced even further through decorated butt-plates, side plates and thumb guards. A French Stock equipped with a wooden trigger guard is also frequently called a Kapuziner Stock.
Fig. 11 – 63 Ca. 1720: Flint Lock Musket Zeughaus Zurich Switzerland
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 64 Ca. 1720: Flint Lock Hunting Musket, Germany
A French stock with a carved wooden trigger guard is frequently called a Kapuziner stock Owner unknown Photo: BaDe, Page 39
Fig. 11 – 65 Ca. 1754: Infantry Flint Lock Musket, M. 1754 Austria
Private collection Photo: KuPe French Stocks 11. Rifle Stocks 307
Fig. 11 – 66 Ca. 1754: Flint Lock Musket M. 1754 France
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 67 Ca. 1871: Infantry Breech-Loading Carbine, M. 1871 England
System Snider
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 68 Ca. 1880: Short-Stocked Blunder- buss Spain
Naval gun
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 69 Ca. 1889: Repeating Rifle, M. 1889 Switzerland
Private collection Photo: KuPe 308 11. Rifle Stocks Pistol Grip Stocks
Pistol Grip Stocks
A specific stock shape influenced by the shape of pistol stocks started to be used in central Europe, Britain and the British Colonies. This was the so-called pistol grip stock. On the underside of the neck was a pistol grip shaped appendage, which in an extended form could serve as a gripping point for the right hand. However, this feature was often used for decorative purposes only.
Fig. 11 – 70 Ca. 1880: Percussion Rifle Colonial Area, England
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 71 1888: Winchester Rifle, M. 1873 Buffalo Bill America
Private collection Photo: BaDe, Page 66
Fig. 11 – 72 Ca. 1900: Hunting Shotgun Germany
Private collection Photo: KuPe Walking-Stick Stocks 11. Rifle Stocks 309
Walking-Stick Stocks
Firearms were often taken along on walks or while traveling. In most cases, the owner wished to have the means for self defense while promenading. Apparently, there were dubious figures around who had quite evil intentions. This was most likely the reason firearms and edged weapons were manufactured in the shape of walking sticks. The handling 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, Eibar Spain
Catalonian snaphaunce lock
Museum Poldi Pezzoli, Milano Photo: CiAl, Page 40
Fig. 11 – 74 Ca. 1870: Percussion Walking-Stick Gun Switzerland
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Fig. 11 – 75 Ca. 1880: Walking-Stick Gun Germany
Handle with bayonet lock rim fire cartridge
Private collection Photo: KuPe 310 11. Rifle Stocks Takedown Stocks
Takedown Stocks
A takedown hunting gun, which could be hidden inside one’s jerkin, created the possibility for a poacher to inconspicuously enter a forbidden hunting ground. In the majority of cases, the but could be detached from the stock by using a bayonet connection. The picture below shows a poacher’s weapon that has the front end threaded onto the rear of the barrel .
Fig. 11 – 76 Ca. 1870: Dismountable Poachers Shotgun Switzerland
Bayonet attachment between shaft and butt S. Wiederkehr, Bremgarten
Private collection Photo: KuPe
Remarks
The preceding description with accompanying photographs is an attempt to introduce some system to the various stock designs. The variety of shapes is so large that the chapter is certainly far from complete. Since the final stock design is completely dependant on the available means, the local habits and customs, the requirements of the owner as well as the artistic ability of the stock maker or gunsmith, many different interpretations of stock shapes are possible.