Bethlehem School
Bucks County - Andrew Verner

Andrew Verner style built by contemporary builder, Dane Lund. Master gunmaker Andrew Verner is thought to have worked during the 1780’s - 1790’s. A classic Verner feature is the classic straight comb with graceful curved underbelly which terminates at the trigger area. I know of only two rifles by him and I offer a patchbox for both. Both are side-opening patchboxes which appeared typical of his work. The very early gun uses the door only. The later rifle was more intricate; finer and thinner in total detail throughout, with ornate inlays including belly plate, wire inlay, extra long thimbles, extensive and beautiful carving and engraving, and uses the fancier patchbox with sideplates and finial. The later gun looks as if it used a lock similar in design to the large Siler flint or L&R Classic.
This wonderful pre-shaped stock pattern is based on the shape of a rifle by A. Verner. A slimmer and taller buttstock, with wrist detail which is wider than tall in profile at the breech, it tapers gently back into a sharp comb. This stock is very slim to make an appropriate Bucks County style from most any of the makers in the Allentown area or Bethlehem School of later gunsmiths. (Another maker of this school with similar design includes Jacob Dubbs of Northampton County. Pre-shaped stock comes with standard straight barrel channel up to 7/8” and drilled ramrod hole. Stock will handle up to a maximum of a B weight barrel. Inletting for Siler lock, DST triggers and swamped barrels are available at an extra charge. Swamped barrels must be individually inlet. Please allow an extra 5 to 8 weeks minimum to process swamped barrel inlets.
STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
Straight Octagon barrels….......13/16” or 7/8”
Drilled ramrod hole .................5/16” or 3/8”
Barrel Channel Length ……………........42”
Butt width x height………... .1-3/4” x 5-1/4”
Lock area …………….......1-1/4” x 6-1/2 ”
Width across the lock face …............1-5/8”
Drop at the heel ………………........3-1/4”
Trigger Pulls up to 15”
PRE-SHAPED STOCK
STAV413L CM4 curly maple inlet for 13/16" barrel and 5/16" ramrod. Also inlet for Chambers Golden Age Lock
STAV414 CM4 curly maple inlet for 7/8" barrel and 3/8" ramrod
STAV4B42LT CM4 curly maple inlet for 42" B weight swamped octagon barrel and 3/8" ramrod. Also inlet for Chambers large Siler Lock and double set triggers
STAVWB44 Walnut stock inlet for 44" long B weight swamped octagon barrel and 3/8" ramrod
STANDARD FITTINGS & PARTS
14925 Siler Flintlock
14870 Davis Double-Set Trigger (OR)
14840 Davis Single Pull Trigger (more appropriate)
19300 .45 x 13/16 x 42” Green Mountain Barrel
16080 Flared Tang Breech Plug 5/8-18
21180 1/4”-28 S.S. Touch Hole Liner – Slot Head
19630 2 ea, Oval Head 8-32 Lock Screws
16450 1 ea, Tang Screw 8-32
27661 3ea, Underlugs for Pins
16385 1 Pkg of 10 Oval Head #3 Wood Screws
16395 1 Pkg of 10 Oval Head #5 Wood Screws
16400 1 Pkg of 10 Oval Head #8 Wood Screws
PINSTOCK 1 Pkg of 6 Pieces Pin Stock 1/16”o.d.
25450 1 Pkg German Silver Nails for Inlays
16795 3/8 Ram Rod w/ 8-32 Brass Tip
17230 Cleaning Jag, .45 Cal. 8-32s
MOUNTINGS
BP-525-B Buttplate (Brass)
TG-105-B Triggerguard (Brass)
SP-060-B Rear Thimble (Brass)
13820 Upper Thimbles (Brass)
22060 Sideplate (Brass)
22100 Toeplate (Brass)
12830 Nosecap (Brass )
10440 Patchbox (Brass)**
16495 Front Sight (Silver Blade)
16540 Rear Sight(Early Low)
25830 Wrist Inlay (German Silver)
25850 Cheek Inlay (German Silver)
This stock is a very close copy of the work of Nicholas Hawk, Jacob Kuntz or Jonathan Rupp.
The hardware that I have listed is best for a Rupp style rifle. If you chose to build a Hawk or Kuntz rifle, change the buttplate to one with a sharper heel and a little narrower width. Also a trigger guard with a little lower profile. Right-hand only.