I know this style of rifle is not every ones cup of tea but I am rather proud of her and this is the gunsmithing forum; and this is the first rifle I ever built from a blank. My caveats are as follows: I sent the barrel and blank out to have the barrel professionally inlet and the ramrod hole drilled full length. Other than that the work is mine. Barrel, lock, rear sight, side plate, butt plate, screws, bolts, and ramrod pipes were bought commercially.

LOP is 13.5 inches, Trigger pull is 3 pounds (no it is not adjustable, it required proper positioning of the trigger pivot in relation to the locks sear bar). The rifle balances just behind the rear ramrod entry pipe and in front of the rear sight. The barrel is 38 inches long with an Octagon to round swamped (tapered and flared) profile with a wedding band transition. I eased the Octagon portion’s transition to the wedding bad with careful file work and polishing. I made the front site from a bar of brass and a sheet of nickel silver and is silver soldered onto the barrel. The patch box was made in two pieces and the sliding hinge was made by dovetailing the sides and front and then matching the angles to the lid. The sliding hinge tapers slightly and is widest at the butt. That should still allow easy removal even in wet conditions. The patch box catch spring was made from an old hinge pin. The screw slots are aligned vertically or with the axis of the bore either by use of a countersink. The exception is the side plate where it was controlled by careful inletting of the side plate and then slightly removing material from the back of the bolt. As received the lock was rough cast. I draw filed to square things up and then hand polished it to its current state.

I guess that about covers most of it.

J- that is awsome,
what caliber is she.
did you use maple or is it cherry?

Dave

Sorry,

She is a .54 Caliber.

The wood is Sugar Maple stained with a heavy coat of Laurel Mountain Forge Lancaster Maple (Brown) rubbed back with 0000 steel wool and then two light coats of LMF Maple stain (Reddish Brown). Finished with LMF Permalyn sealer to fill the pores and then hand rubbed to slowely build up a finish and keep it from clogging the carving.

The butt plate, trigger guard, and ramrod pipes were rough sand cast and were cleaned up with files and hand polished as well.

The toe plate was cut from sheet brass and then polished.

The trigger guard is installed with pins not screws.

Here is an inprogress picture of that.

Absolutely stunning work and craftsmanship. Congratulations, the wood work is just outstanding. Did you burn, use acid or is the dark vertical lines in the wood natural. A show piece every one would be proud to display! Great job!

Very nice. You should be proud.

If you don't mind my asking, what promted the choice of .54 cal over a smaller caliber?

The virticle lines are the natural curl in the wood brought out by the stain.

I plan to hunt her as well. She is too pretty to collect dust.

I was aiming for a rifle that would be proper for the 1770-1780 time frame. The mid 50 bore was still a popular bore size then. As the century wore on calibers got smaller.

Additionally as she is twisted for patched round ball .54 is suitable for Elk and Carabou if the oppertunity and desire should arise.

THat and I think it sounds cooler than a .50

Very nice indeed!

I gotta start drinking more tea. That is beautiful and this is the right place to post and crow!

A rifle you can be proud of! What a way to discover the hunt as you forfathers hunted.

Absolutely gorgeous! Who made the barrel? Who inletted it for you?

WOW!!!!!

54, That is one magnificent rifle. Be very very proud of it, and put it to good use. The wood and the metal are both done to the highest standards. Congratulations.

That rifle is as fine as any we see posted on these forums even if it isn't a 98 Mauser.

quote:

Originally posted by 54JNoll:
I plan to hunt her as well. She is too pretty to collect dust.

That is the best line said of the best lookin rifle I have ever seen. The perfect mix of modern craftsmanship and period authenticity!

Very well done.

Really great work, 54JNoll-

I was about due to see some nice rifle photographs, and these are among the best.

Have you fired it yet?

How'd she do?

Talk about your long sight radius.

LOL.

flaco

Very nice rifle, I especially like the open morning star on the cheek piece, well done.

I see John Bivins' influence all over that rifle.

Simply amazing.

Keep us posted.

LD

Tom,
That is absolutely gorgeous. You did a great job. I am very impressed.

That rifle makes me want to sing "Daniel Boon was a man.... yes a BIG Man....

VERY NICE.

That will be a family heirloom indeed. She is in my favorite caliber too!

Chic, that is high praise comming from you. Thanks.

----------------------------------------

The star was hard to get aligned right and was the hardest thing I inlet on that rifle. Inletting the lock square to the barrel was easier.

Fred Miller inlet the barrel and drilled the ramrod hole full depth in the stock for me. That was the best $50 I spent. He did a super job. Fred does not inlet the breach plug, just the barrel itself. The breach plug is up to you once you get the tang bent, cut and shaped to suit the style of rifle or your desires.

The barrel was made by the Colerain company and is cut rifled with the old style round bottom grooves.

I must confess that I have not fired her yet
I expect to correct that difficiency soon though.

Stunning

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:
That rifle is as fine as any we see posted on these forums even if it isn't a 98 Mauser.

+1

High praise indeed from fla3006! I agree too!

Love the way swamped barrels balance!

More pictures please.

John