Third Model Fayetteville Rifle
Lodgewood's owner and head gunsmith David Stavlo built this beautiful 3rd model Fayetteville rifle. It features all the correct finishes and markings. Unlike many of our other builds that are made up of new made stocks and barrels combined with reproduction and original parts, this rifle is comprised of almost entirely new made parts, some of which were made in-house by David.
The stock was custom-made from straight grain Black Walnut - the same wood that was used in original Fayettevilles. David hand fit each of the components to the stock blank before shaping it to the correct dimensions of originals; paying close attention to the moldings around the lock, as well as the wrist and forestock. The stock was finished with linseed oil. Again, just like the original guns. No inspector's cartouche was added to the stock; which is correct for a 3rd model gun.
The lock plate was custom-made for this project and features all the correct markings for a 3rd model Fayetteville rifle. The internal components are originals. The hammer was finished from a casting made by the Rifle Shoppe. Dimensionally, it's a perfect copy of the original Fayetteville "S" hammer. Both the lock plate and hammer were color case hardened using the traditional 19th Century "pack hardening" method. This is the only way to achieve appropriate colors. Pack hardening (or bone-charcoal color case hardening as it's sometimes called) is fairly difficult to master and few shops are able to do it, but it is absolutely necessary to correctly build or restore most pre-20th Century guns. These parts were case hardened in-house, as is all of our case hardening.
The barrel was made by master barrel maker Jerry Harmon in 2006. It was purchased new nearly 15 years ago but never utilized in a build until now. David stamped the breech with a proper 1863 date and a correct VP and Eagle proof mark. He also mounted a correct Fayetteville rear sight (the same sight as the later model 1855 rifles, but without the "R"'s stamped on the leaves). He also mounted a correct M1855 bayonet lug and M1855 "tall shooter" front sight to the muzzle. The barrel was then slow rust brown just like the original guns.
The brass furniture was all made from castings by the Rifle Shoppe. Each component was hand finished and polished before installation on the rifle. The bands feature the correct "U" stamps, and the butt plate features a correct "C.S.A." stamp that was specially made for this project.
The finished gun is quite striking. A mixture of dark brown against polished brass, and vibrant color case hardening against satin polished walnut. This rifle is a very faithful recreation of the original Confederate rifles used during the Civil War; right down to the smallest detail.