.54 Caliber Swivel Breech rifle kit build

[duelist1954]

This winter I started working on one of David Price’s .54 caliber swivel breech flintlock rifle kits. This is something a little different for me, but I’ve been interested in swivel breech rifles for a few years now.

I’m videoing the process of the build. I haven’t posted any of the videos here in the builder’s section because the moderators keep moving my stuff to the media forum. Apparently they think 100 still photos of a build is appropriate for the Builders workbench, but if those are moving pictures, it becomes the same thing as “The Revenant” or “Last of the Mohicans”

So, to make it easy for the moderators, I just posted the videos on the Media forum, where they will remain unseen as people look for discussions on “The Revenant” ☺

Here’s a link to the media forum post:
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...fid/35/tid/298614/pid/1542050/post/last/#LAST


So, visit the media forum if you want to see the videos, and I’ll post a few still pictures here.

Here’s how the kit comes from David






Here’s a cut-away vire of David’s swivel breech mechanism




Trigger and tang inletted

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Very cool. This should be interesting :thumbsup:

 

[MSK]

Been following the series closely, waiting impatiently for each installment. Keep them coming.

Smollett

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
You don't really need that front screw for the trigger plate as long as you do a good job installing the triggerguard such that it presses it in place. Also, it is a good idea to file draft on the metal plates before inletting them so they fit tight to the wood.

dave

 

[duelist1954]

Nice tease Dave, I'd love to see the whole rifle.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Been eager to see your next project, and I am really enjoying your work.

 

[dave_person]

Hi Mike,
Here you go. I used dave's action and barrels but it was not a kit:
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showpost.php?post/1515248/

dave

 

[duelist1954]

Dave that is a gorgeous rifle...very inspiring

 

[dave_person]

Hi Mike,
It came out pretty well. One problem I ran into was that the mainspring on the L&R back action lock that Dave uses was pretty weak. It did not provide sufficient force to kick the frizzens over with every shot, particularly after the frizzens and springs got dirty from powder fouling. You'll notice that your lock is a late flint version with a short throw for the flintcock. That is very good for fast lock time but requires a strong spring. In addition, swivel breeches require that the frizzen springs have sufficient strength to hold the pan covers securely closed. That is very important for the primed pan attached to the bottom barrel. You don't want a little knock opening the pan and losing the priming before turning it over for shooting. I had to heat the mainspring and bend it into a slight arc (called preload) to increase its strength. Then it was hardened and tempered again. That solved the problem along with some judicious tuning of the frizzen springs. The gun now is very fast firing and those Green Mountain barrels are tack drivers. The owner almost never has a misfire.
Good luck with your project, Mike. I am sure it will be beautiful.

dave

 

[kemart17]

wow!!!!! that is one awesome looking gun!!!!

 

[Vaino]

Dave...is any equipment other than that used for "regular" BP gun building req'd to build a swivel breech?

Or for that matter...a SXS shotgun, either cap or flint, which you also might have built?.

Normally don't like swivel breech rifles, too bulky and graceless, but yours is just the opposite.

Your dogs passing is always a sad affair....have experienced that same thing a number of times and it doesn't get any easier. Border collie?...Fred

 

[MSW]

wow.



just, wow.

 

[dave_person]

Hi Fred,
I'll send you a PT. I don't want to divert attention from Mike's thread any further.

dave