Blue Ridge Re-build Completion

[Crewdawg445]

Evening all, figured I'd share some images of a completed project I just finished (besides a new front sight on the way). Took a brand new Pedersoli Blue Ridge and rebuilt the entire rifle. From a new lock, to pinning the barrel and shaping the stock, allot has been done making it a one of a kind flinter! Enjoy :hatsoff:

 

[Grizzly Adams]

WOW! Very nice work, my friend!

 

[coloradoclyde]

Works for me...... :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[jethro224]

From what I can see that Blue Ridge looks pretty nice. :thumbsup: Can you give us a better description of what all you did to it?
I'd like to see a closer picture of the lock area for one thing, and what kind of lock did you use?

A couple of things stand out that could use a little attention tho.
First is the front sight. I know you said you have a new one coming but... the one on there is installed backwards...
Also, if you were to inlet the trigger guard properly I think it would make a big difference to the looks of the rifle.

Overall I think you have a very nice rifle there. Let us know how it shoots.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Sight is horrible, comes from the factory installed as you see it and there's only one way to re-install after removal. Trigger guard is attached via a wood screw and the tang screw, I agree inletting it would look much better however, I didn't feel the need to since I utilized the factory guard. On to the lock... It's an L&R made for the blue ridge/ frontier rifle offered in their RPL line. Requires a hefty amount of finish work but sparks like a champ and is lightning fast. Luckily the lock plate matched up perfectly with the existing mortise, yet much inletting was needed for the larger internals. Swapped out the vent for a RMC liner which IMO is a fabulous addition. Removed a decent amount of excess wood from the stock and squared the forend areas prior to drilling the pin holes, obviously shaped after drilling. I'll post more images later on! Thanks fellas for the positive remarks and advice! :hatsoff:

 

[Silky921]

I have to agree with Jethro. Still, two thumbs up because I don't have three.

 

[Crewdawg445]

I agree... it's one area that does stand out. I have a few other trigger guards I could play with that would work with the rifle. I did manage this evening to run a few balls down the pipe. So far it's a winner, and with the right load it should bark some squirrels off the trees with no problems. :thumbsup:

 

[hoochiepapa]

Glad you picked the L&R. I put their flinters on both my perc rifles and have no complaints.
Very nice work.

 

[jethro224]

Hard to believe Pedersoli installs the sights that way. :shake: Or the trigger guards either for that matter. I've always thought the trigger guards being just slapped on that way was a very bad move on their part. Guess I just never noticed the sight.
I'm not fond of their rear sight either... :idunno:

I wonder if the factory trigger guard could just be filed to blend it in better to the wood. :hmm:

After you replace the sight, and especially if you fix the trigger guard, you should send pics to Pedersoli so they can see what they COULD have done.

Still, I think these rifles are one of the best deals out there. I have been considering getting one in .54 for a "loaner" rifle.
You have turned a good rifle into a very good one. :thumbsup:

 

[Crewdawg445]

Unfortunately the sights are certainly installed as you see it from the factory It drives me nuts, that's why I'm replacing it, and also because the stock sight is a mile high! I bought a used .32 scout that had the sight installed the same way, also replaced it. Yet honestly the guard being purely cosmetic, I may not mess with it... Reason, it's going to be a woods rifle and one thats used. These barrels are very accurate and despite a few issues, they certainly are great rifles for the money!

Oh, it is a .54 as well. :hatsoff:

 

[Mickc01]

I always felt that those had good bones. Now that one has curves in all the right places too.... :hatsoff:

 

[Brokennock]

Once again you've done an excellent job. I've got the Cabelas version in .45 caplock and it is very accurate,, but I hate the caplock with patent breach. Would love one in a flintlock .36 cal.

Could you please give a detailed description for us non builders of what needs to be done (and maybe how) to "finish" the replacement lock, maybe in a thread in the builders section? I'm thinking of using one to convert my .45 cal.

Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

 

[Spikebuck]

I agree with Jethro that these rifles are a good value...but they can certainly be made more attractive and even personalized with a little elbow grease! Yours turned out very nice. :thumbsup:

I need to get back to mine. Part of my project also includes the thumbpiece and star on the cheekpiece, so it was nice to see what you did there.

 

[wattlebuster]

I like it :thumbsup:

 

[Crewdawg445]

Thank you all! Just anxiously awaiting a new sight. I ordered a variety of options which will be exciting to see how each individual sight accents the rifle.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Here are a few images of potential front sites for the rifle. Left to right there's my favorite, standard brass base with a medium high blade and a fancy floral finial. Second option is a standard Tennessee brass site, and lastly a polished high nickel blade w/ a standard brass base.

I very much like the fancy floral finial, just looks great besides the rifle and IMO compliments it's overall appearance.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I would go for the floral finial equipped sight. It is the most subtle of all of them, and is still a bit classy, just like that rifle. Once you get the new sight on there, it will have almost the exact same sight configuration as my TN, low TN style front and buckhorn rear. I'm a big fan!

 

[airborne1]

Good looking rifle! You do nice work and take great photos! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Thank you guys!

 

[Silky921]

I 2nd the finial. Fits the gun and you. Attaboy crewdawg.