Bedford County rifle finished.

[okawbow]

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.

 

[smoothshooter]

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

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?

 

[CuNosecap]

Beautiful rifle. Congratulations on finishing it.

 

[Mulebrain]

Looks good, and provides me with inspiration to get to work on my Bedford kit.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Nice!

 

[Tumbledown]

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?

Maybe it's actually a chin rest?

 

[okawbow]

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

Bedfords are offhand rifles. They don’t mount to the shoulder, but work right mounted to the upper arm. This rifle fits me perfectly.

 

[Robin101]

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

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

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

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!

 

[Col. Batguano]

Excellent job with your transition zones! (upper to lower fore stock, lock plate panel to wrist etc.)

 

[springfield art]

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

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!

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Yes, I agree, the flintlocks seem to have more nostalgia or panacea!

 

[oreclan]

Yes, I agree, the flintlocks seem to have more nostalgia or panacea!

I agree; however the Bedford percussion cock or hammer is unique.
It is probably the only percussion rifle that I like.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

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!

 

[smoothshooter]

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!

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

 

[Grimord]

Like stated in an earlier post. My Bedford is hard to shoot from the bench, but off hand it really shines.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Lookin good!