whore vidal

“Originally rather plain, by the 1770s every surface of the rifle could have artwork applied. An accomplished gunsmith had to be a skilled blacksmith, whitesmith, wood carver, brass and silver founder, engraver and wood finisher. European shops at the time had significant specialization of the trades, leading to separate tradesmen building each rifle. The American frontier had no such luxury, and quite often only one gunsmith would make the entire rifle, a process almost unheard of in 18th century trade practice.”