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Bedford County rifle finished.

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okawbow

okawbow

40 Cal.
MLF Supporter
Joined
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Been working off and on for two years on this one. Always liked the looks and feel of the Bedfords. I intend to learn how to engrave better this winter and will engrave the patchbox, toe plate and side plate similar to the original Samuel Border rifle this gun is patterned after. This one is a .50 caliber Colrain swamped barrel. The total weight of this slim little rifle is only 6 pounds and 6 ounces. The wood is Northern hard maple. The trigger guard is an old original and is identical to the Border rifle guard. The lock is one I made from a kit sold by Chris Hirsch of The Texas Gun Trade.
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Last edited:
okawbow said:
Been working off and on for two years on this one. Always liked the looks and feel of the Bedfords. I intend to learn how to engrave better this winter and will engrave the patchbox, toe plate and side plate similar to the original Samuel Border rifle this gun is patterned after. This one is a .50 caliber Colrain swamped barrel. The total weight of this slim little rifle is only 6 pounds and 6 ounces. The wood is Northern hard maple. The trigger guard is an old original and is identical to the Border rifle guard. The lock is one I made from a kit sold by Chris Hirsch of The Texas Gun Trade. View attachment 346589View attachment 346591View attachment 346592View attachment 346593View attachment 346594View attachment 346595View attachment 346596View attachment 346597
Click to expand...
On a butt stock with that much droop, how can you have your cheek on the comb and still be able to see the sights?
 
I have made a few Bedford's with the long drop. They are a hassle off the bench but for off hand shooting I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and natural it feels, you don't have to get down on it the sights come right up to you.
Nice job Okawbow!!!!
Robin
 
okawbow said:
Been working off and on for two years on this one. Always liked the looks and feel of the Bedfords. I intend to learn how to engrave better this winter and will engrave the patchbox, toe plate and side plate similar to the original Samuel Border rifle this gun is patterned after. This one is a .50 caliber Colrain swamped barrel. The total weight of this slim little rifle is only 6 pounds and 6 ounces. The wood is Northern hard maple. The trigger guard is an old original and is identical to the Border rifle guard. The lock is one I made from a kit sold by Chris Hirsch of The Texas Gun Trade. View attachment 346589View attachment 346591View attachment 346592View attachment 346593View attachment 346594View attachment 346595View attachment 346596View attachment 346597
Click to expand...
Beautiful job Okawbow! I agree with you, Bedfords are great rifles, I'm working on a Abraham Sweitzer styled gun myself in .45 cal, with a straight barrel. I had a Bedford years ago in .32 cal. but it was really barrel heavy that is why I went with the straight barrel, glad to hear yours turned out so light!
 
okawbow said:
Been working off and on for two years on this one. Always liked the looks and feel of the Bedfords. I intend to learn how to engrave better this winter and will engrave the patchbox, toe plate and side plate similar to the original Samuel Border rifle this gun is patterned after. This one is a .50 caliber Colrain swamped barrel. The total weight of this slim little rifle is only 6 pounds and 6 ounces. The wood is Northern hard maple. The trigger guard is an old original and is identical to the Border rifle guard. The lock is one I made from a kit sold by Chris Hirsch of The Texas Gun Trade. View attachment 346589View attachment 346591View attachment 346592View attachment 346593View attachment 346594View attachment 346595View attachment 346596View attachment 346597
Click to expand...
I know we can't turn back the clock to history, but think of all the now-revered valuable PA/KY rifles that were converted in their day to percussion! As Charlie Brown would say; "AUGGGGH!
 
Yes, I agree, my gun that I sold years ago I had changed from flint to percussion and the gunsmith at that time used a Bedford style hammer and it was unique! The flintlock at that time just wasn't up to the task!
 
springfield art said:
I know we can't turn back the clock to history, but think of all the now-revered valuable PA/KY rifles that were converted in their day to percussion! As Charlie Brown would say; "AUGGGGH!
Click to expand...
Almost everybody transitioned to percussion as soon as was practical.
Caps became easier to come by than good gun flints, and they eliminated all the fiddling with the lock area needed to get reliable performance
 

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