This page is dedicated to those who create and admire early American and colonial artwork.

All items pictured on this page have been crafted by Justin Spangler.

All "period" dates attribuited to each piece is an estimate to give a feel for the time period that a particular piece is modeled after.

Different "schools" or regions of the country may also be provided. These schools are a reflection of the styles and techniques that may have been used in the area at that particular part of the century.

Please check back to see some of my most recent projects.
     

Email me at Spangler_JT@yahoo.com

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Queen Anne Screw Barrel Pistol ~ 1750's

This pistol is a flintlock but not technically a muzzleloader. The barrel is unscrewed with a spanner that fits onto a lug on the bottom of the barrel. The powder is poured into the cavity and a .630 calibre ball is placed on top of the powder. The barrel is then screwed back onto the mainframe until the ball is swaged into the .625 calibre barrel. The barrel is further tapered to .600 calibre at the muzzle. When the charge is fired, the ball is squeezed into the smaller opening in the barrel until enough pressure builds up to force it through the barrel. The advantage of this system over a patched ball system is that the firearm can be tucked into a belt or holster with the muzzle down and the ball will not unseat from the charge when traveling long distances.

           

           

           


• E.J. Blackley and Son Castings
  
• .625 Caliber Smoothbore Barrel, 5-1/4" in length
  
• English Walnut Stock, 12" in length
  
• 1-1/3 Lbs.
  
• Cast Silver Mounts
  
• Aged Finish
  




Lancaster School ~ 1790's


Please Note: These photos were taken ("in the white") prior to the application of the nitric acid stain.
     Photos of the completed rifle will be uploaded shortly.


           

           

           


• Jim Chambers Pre-Carved Stock, Lancaster Pattern
  
• .50 Caliber Barrel
  
  • Getz Lancaster with roundbottom rifling
    
  • 43" in length
    
  • Charcoal Blued finish
    
• Jim Chambers Golden Age Siler Lock
  
• Nitric Acid Stained Curly Maple Stock
  
• Handmade Hardware:
  
  • Wooden Patchbox
    
    
    
    
York School ~ 1790's


           

           

           

                 


• Jim Chambers Pre-Carved Stock, York Pattern
  
• .45 Caliber Barrel
  
  • Getz York with roundbottom rifling
    
  • 42" in length
    
  • Charcoal Blued finish
    
• Jim Chambers Golden Age Siler Lock
  
• Nitric Acid Stained Curly Maple Stock
  
• Handmade Hardware:
  
  • Four Piece Patchbox
    
  • Engraving by David Lee Wagner, Jr.
    
    
    
    
Reading School ~ 1780's


           

           

• .50 Caliber Barrel
  
  • Getz Transition B with flatbottom rifling
    
  • 38" in length
    
  • Rust blued finish
    
• Jim Chambers Golden Age Siler Lock
  
• Overall Length = 55"
  
• Nitric Acid Stained Curly Maple Stock
  
• Handmade Hardware:
  
  • Trigger
    
  • Triggerplate
    
  • Ramrod Thimbles
    
  • Two Piece Brass Patchbox
    
  • Sideplate
    
  • Rear Site
    
  • Two Piece Muzzlecap
    

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Accouterments are accessories that were used to operate and maintain flintlock rifles. These accessories were usually carried with the person that was using the flintlock.


Powder Horn

This Powder Horn would have been worn over the shoulder and used to carry powder while hunting. The Powder Horn is water tight, and powder is dispensed through the tip by removing the plug. The powder is usually measured into a charge of predetermined size by dispensing it into a measure similar to the one pictured below.

           

           

• Cattle Horn
  
• 15" in length along outside curve
  
• 2.75" Diameter at rear
  
• 0.25" Diameter Hole at spout
  
• Carving is of a map of Penns Creek and surrounding areas.
• Both Plug and Stopper are made from Walnut
  
• Handmade Accessories
  
  • 47 1/2" Linen/Wool Strap
    
  • Strap Staple
    
  • Leather Vent Pick Holder
    
  • Leather Strap Attachments
    
    
    
Powder Measure


This Powder Measure would have been tied to a Hunting Bag as not to lose the measure when using it in the field. Measures are calibrated to make sure that a charge used in a flintlock is consistant and measures to the optimum size every time it is filled. The black powder is then poured into the muzzle end of the flintlock (a muzzle-loader, imagine that). A patched ball is then rammed on top of the charge, making it ready to fire.

                       

• Deer Antler
  
• 4" in length along inside curve
  
• Holds 75 Grains of Black Powder
• 28" Hemp Strap