Pics of brass-tacked or ornamented Lever Guns?

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MatthewVanitas

MatthewVanitas

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Greetings,
I was idly covetting the Rossi '92 copies recently, and thinking that if I could buy a used one, I'd consider trying out some modernized variant of the old "brass tack" ornamentation, or something similar.

I understand the dislike of Bubba-ing, but if it's a Rossi made in the mid 1990s, I'd say a well-executed ornamentation couldn't hurt. It is kind of interesting that various cultures (Native Americans, Afghans, etc) used to decorate their firearms, but very few folks in the modern day mess with the cosmetics of their rifle.

Do any of you, especially you wacky Cowboy Shooters, have any good pics of ornamented lever rifles to share?
 
I suspect that brass tack patterns on Indian guns may have
had some symbolic meaning, so I would not just randomly
drive brass tacks in a stock without an authentic Indian
(native american)
gun to copy: some guy proud of his Chinese character tatoo
(who did not know Chinese of course) found out he was
proudly announcing to the Chinese literate world that he
was a frog loving illegitimate son.
 
Carl,

The term Indian is very politically incorrect.

They are Casino Owning Americans!!!!:neener: :D
 
For lever guns, I always like the simple decoration of a feather tied to the forend at the barrel band. Tied on with a thin strip of deerskin. Since eagle feathers are a no-no, Wild Turkey feathers work just as well.

Doesn't do you much good when deer hunting. You don't want a feather flapping in the breeze when you're trying to keep still.
 
I would not just randomly
drive brass tacks in a stock without an authentic Indian
(native american)
gun to copy: some guy proud of his Chinese character tatoo
(who did not know Chinese of course) found out he was
proudly announcing to the Chinese literate world that he
was a frog loving illegitimate son.
Click to expand...

Why would I copy something somebody else did when I can do a design that's from my own culture? I like the concept of ornamentation, but I'd rather be innovative than imitative.

I don't attend Orthodox Christian church enough to feel comfortable putting a Byzantine Cross on a rifle stock, but if I go further in orthodoxy, that'd certainly be my choice.

Has anyone seen brass-tacked rifles at Cowboy Matches, or are those not in style in the gun-gaming world today?
 
Buffalo Bills had one for sell last year for about $300
At first I thought it was kinda goofy but it stuck in my mind
It was sold before I could go back and get it

I'll see if I can find the pic
 
MatthewVanitas said:
Has anyone seen brass-tacked rifles at Cowboy Matches, or are those not in style in the gun-gaming world today?
Click to expand...

They're rare, but not unheard of. It seems like I see one or maybe two tack decorated rifles at every major match (state or regional) I attend, so that would be maybe 2-3% of the rifles out there.
 
Dixie Gun Works in Union City TN. will sell you the tacks ...

(www.dixiegunworks.com). This form of decoration was primarily an American Indian sort of thing, and they used tacks on all kinds of weapons besides firearms. I have pictures of some original guns, but nothing in the way of reproductions. I see no reason you couldn't do your own work with your own designs. I don't believe the Native Americans copied anybody, and you don't have to either. The did tend to use tacks to make a border around the stock, and then do decorative patterns inside of it on the sides of the stock, and sometimes a row of tacks on each side of the forend.
 
Speak of the devil... went to the gunshow today, traded a Makarov and $20 for a worn Marlin 39A (1953 model). The stock is pretty shabby, so a refinish and tacking may be in order. I'm thinking the Southern Cross constellation would look good and be personally significant. Only downside: Dixie Gunworks sells two sizes of tacks in 100-tack bags. But I only need four big ones and one little one. Anybody have just a few extra tacks, or do folks end up using up a whole bag by themselves?

If I do end up refinishing/tacking, I'll surely post the pics up on THR. Take much care, -MV
 
Did anyone catch Wild West Tech on the History Channel?
They had a small blurb on the rifles the Lakota Indians used at Little Big Horn.
The Forends on many were removed and wrapped with cowhide. The butt plate on many were also removed and used as hide skinning tools. Barrle bands were removed and used to make arrow heads. The rifle shown had wire wrapped around the barrel/mag tube that was stolen from a telegraph line.
A couple were shown with tacks and other decorative add-on's
 
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