Weapons as art at Shelburne Museum
Longtime firearms collector Terry Tyler recently donated his collection of historical Vermont firearms to the Shelburne Museum, which will put the weapons on display next year in an exhibit titled “Lock, Stock and Barrel: The Terry Tyler Collection of Vermont Firearms.”
The guns stand not only as a reflection of Vermont’s culture but of its creativity. Take a look at the evidence of craftsmanship and flourishes of artistic detail in the five firearms pictured on this page. The photos are accompanied by information provided by the Shelburne Museum and observations from Tyler, a former electrician and town constable from Dorset.
These guns and many others will be exhibited beginning May 15, 2011, and running through Oct. 30.
Pistol, Amasa Parker, Ludlow
Created in the 1850s, this pistol is made of brass, wood and steel. It is a .34 caliber underhammer pistol with a 1/3 octagon, 2/3 round barrel that is 11 ¾ inches long and marked P. & S. Remington.
Tyler says he acquired the gun from Dick Littlefield, a friend and gun dealer who has traveled to gun shows nationwide and is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors.
“Its furniture is mostly brass,” Tyler said. “It’s bag-handle shape is not common in so large a pistol. Many small shop makers bought barrels from Remington but a good number did their own boring and drilling.”
Tyler says he acquired the gun from Dick Littlefield, a friend and gun dealer who has traveled to gun shows nationwide and is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors.
“Its furniture is mostly brass,” Tyler said. “It’s bag-handle shape is not common in so large a pistol. Many small shop makers bought barrels from Remington but a good number did their own boring and drilling.”
Flintlock rifle, Adna Barrows, Castleton
Created in the mid-1800s, this rifle is made of brass, maple and wood. It is a .36 caliber flintlock rifle with maple stock and unique brass rectangular patch box.
“It’s a bit of an anachronism, as it was made long after the percussion action weapon came into general use,” Tyler said. “I would hazard a guess that it was specially ordered by a customer of Mr. Barrows. It’s the only flintlock I’ve seen him make.
The rectangular patch box is unusual, since most were round or oval, Tyler said.
Overall, “It’s craftmanship of the highest order.”
“It’s a bit of an anachronism, as it was made long after the percussion action weapon came into general use,” Tyler said. “I would hazard a guess that it was specially ordered by a customer of Mr. Barrows. It’s the only flintlock I’ve seen him make.
The rectangular patch box is unusual, since most were round or oval, Tyler said.
Overall, “It’s craftmanship of the highest order.”
Revolver rifle, Elijah Jaquith, Brattleboro
Created in the 1830s, this revolver rifle is made of wood, brass and steel and is one of only seven known to survive, Tyler said. An early attempt to produce a repeater, it is a 7-shot underhammer rifle with plain sights, brass buttplate, loading lever and bayonet lug. It likely was carried by Jaquith when he served as a 3rd lieutenant officer in the 27th Regiment Vermont Militia.
Jaquith obtained a patent for this revolver rifle in 1938. “It is the only known revolver arm that has the cylinder access from where it pivots above the bore,” Tyler said. A semicircular detent allows the cylinder to be held in place, he said.
Target rifle, John Belknap, St. Johnsbury
This rifle is made of silver, steel, wood and ebony. It is a deluxe sidelock, half-stock target rifle, .40 caliber, 31 inches long.
“The Belknap rifle is one of the most beautifully crafted rifles that I have ever seen,” Tyler said. Belknap, who also built water wheels and water turbines, died tragically young when he was swept over the top of a dam, Tyler said. “He probably made less than a dozen rifles in his short life,” he said. “What a talent lost.”
Jaquith obtained a patent for this revolver rifle in 1938. “It is the only known revolver arm that has the cylinder access from where it pivots above the bore,” Tyler said. A semicircular detent allows the cylinder to be held in place, he said.
Target rifle, John Belknap, St. Johnsbury
This rifle is made of silver, steel, wood and ebony. It is a deluxe sidelock, half-stock target rifle, .40 caliber, 31 inches long.
“The Belknap rifle is one of the most beautifully crafted rifles that I have ever seen,” Tyler said. Belknap, who also built water wheels and water turbines, died tragically young when he was swept over the top of a dam, Tyler said. “He probably made less than a dozen rifles in his short life,” he said. “What a talent lost.”
Pistol, Robbins & Lawrence, Windsor
Created in the early 1850s, this pistol is made of steel, ivory and gold. It is a smaller model revolving hammer pepperbox repeating pistol with a five-barrel group .28 caliber, 3 ½ inches long. The frame, barrels, trigger and latch are engraved.
This pistol came in three distinct grades, Tyler said. One was sold in a cardboard box. Another came with accessories in polished cases. And a third, “presentation grade” pistol was heavily engraved, gold banded and came with an ivory grip, Tyler said.
This pistol came in three distinct grades, Tyler said. One was sold in a cardboard box. Another came with accessories in polished cases. And a third, “presentation grade” pistol was heavily engraved, gold banded and came with an ivory grip, Tyler said.
This story appeared on page G1 of Saturday's Burlington Free Press
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