Bookie's Wheellock Project

[Bookie]

Here is a photo of my custom trigger plate. It bolsters the grip rail/trigger bow and prevents it from flexing while being grasped by the hand. Could this perhaps be one step as to how the later Kentucky rifle trigger guard evolved? The chain link that attached to the tumbler snapped into two pieces this morning. Had to construct one from mild steel and pin both ends, but we're now back up and running. Turned the lock nail estuchions a while ago and will inlet them later this evening. Need to add a front sight and the metal work (other than polishing) will be complete. All shaping lines are drawn onto the stock so I can let my trained beaver loose on it in the morning. Maybe....oiling by Saturday morning?? :hmm: Cheers, Bookie

 

[Bookie]

Gentlemen, Not a great photo, but here is the stock with it's first coat of oil. It's engraving and metal polishing time now. Anyone want to lend a hand? :haha: Cheers, Bookie

 

[fatboy]

You have great talent there sir looks mighty fine to me cant wait to see some more of her ! :bow:

 

[spitfire]

So far the wheelie is looking great :thumbsup: !Are you trying to replicate from a period piece-nationality,time period,ect?

 

[Bookie]

Gentlemen, Thank you for your nice comments. :bow: I've used two original Dutch cavalry carbines for the basis of this piece and I have remained pretty much true to them. The wrist and forearm were lengthened to make it short rifle size. I'd post a photo of it, but I don't wish to get in trouble for using something in a book that I didn't write. The blown up photos reveal many details that really suprized me and I have incorporated them into the gun. Enlarged the photos of the paddlebutt, belly, and forearm to get exact shape by using them as a traceable pattern. One thing not being installed is a rear sight and nose cap like what is on the original. Bookie

 

[Leonredbeard]

Bookie!
What did you use to get the pleasing brown color on that white stock. It looks good. :bow: I am green with envy. :shocked2: I did not get anything done on my lock since tuesday. Anxious to get it finished.
YHWH bless.
volatpluvia

 

[Bookie]

Thanks, Leon. The stain is Dixie Gun Works's house brand, a.k.a. Fleibing's Leather Dye. It is very forgiving. This stain was the closest to the reddish tint I wanted for the figured walnut. Hope you get to work on your lock again soon. Bookomundo

 

[Bookie]

Finished my lock today. I've put my customary brass tail on it and added my cartouche. Even though it needs a bit more polish, this is what it looks like. The oiled stock is taking it's own sweet time to dry. Bookie

 

[benvenuto]

nice touch! i was wondering if you were going to stick to your family tradition

 

[Leonredbeard]

Bookie,
I like the dog design. :bow: That might be easier to build by hand than one with the moveable jaw on the top. I will have to look into it for any future locks. Actually, if my new lock works, I will then make new parts for it and restore the ones I am borrowing from the TRS back on the TRS. I hope that last sentence makes sense.
YHWH bless.
volatpluvia

 

[Bookie]

Thanks, Richard! Just found your website. Love that disclaimer!! Wish it was on my site. :grin: Bookie

 

[Bookie]

Hi Leon! Yep. I understood what you are saying. Do hope that you get that wheelie up and running soon. I believe I shall forge a better main spring that the cast TRS job. I've noticed that they didn't do a good job of heat treating the one they supplied with their kit as it's pretty mushy. My long distance apprentice (soon to be Journeyman) in Denmark is looking at building a wheelie pistol. I do like the looks of the one on the TRS website. Maybe I'll have to do that after I finish my wender. Cheers, Bookie

 

[Leonredbeard]

Bookie,
Of course it is okay for you to forge whatever spring you want. However, do consider using the TRS for a while, especially if you want it wound up for hours while you hunt. Mushy may mean it will stand up to being compressed that long. It only needs enough strength to spin the wheel and cam the pan toggle violently enough for the retaining spring to catch it.
YHWH bless.
volatpluvia

 

[Bookie]

Hmmmm. Interesting comment, Leon. I'll mull this over a tad, but something tells me you may be correct. :hmm: The stock has 5 coats of oil; and another is due much later this evening. The WX is not cooperating for me.......uh,...."violently" you say!!!? Wow! That sounds like my 1st wife's answer to everything! :rotf: Cheers, Bookie

 

[Bookie]

Well, Leon....the wheelie main spring finally decided it didn't want to work any longer, so I took it on a close up tour of the Yeller Tom Cat Forge this morning. Drew the temper in ignited oil and it turned out beautiful. It even has some "case hardened" type coloring now and it do speak with authority. Glad I didn't pay to have TRS do that 1st job for me! Here's a shot of it going in for the final heat before quenching. Bookie :thumbsup:

 

[Leonredbeard]

Bookie,
Great picture! I am glad it works now. I am waiting to hear about the Dutchie going BOOM! :hatsoff:
God bless.
volatpluvia

 

[Bookie]

O.K., Leon. You've named my gun...."Dutchie". :grin: HawkmanDan took some photos this morning of our first time out........

The barrel is being proofed in the tester. 200 grains of FFG under two patched balls. The recoil moved the tester back 6 ", which is normal for this caliber.

Look closely. The pan has been ignited. [Tried to get a pic of the main charge going off.] Used the Horst pyrites and they worked great. Vacillated from 50 to 70 grains of double F working up a charge for the round balls. Will do the same once I get some #5 shot.

I'd like to introduce you all to "Dutchie". All in all, I feel pretty gratified that the paddle butt eats powder & lead and spits fire after all these months. I be happy. :thumbsup: Hope you've enjoyed these photos and good luck to you on yours, leon! Cheers, Bookie

 

[RobF]

Bookie, All I can say is OUTSTANDING! Although I think I need a new keyboard from all the drool on mine :rotf: Thanks for sharing your project with us.

Rob

 

[coehornboy]

Excellent work!! :bow: :bow:
Thanks for sharing all of it with us... :v

 

[Leonredbeard]

Bookie!
I am ecstatic for you! :bow: :grin: I remember the feeling the first time I lit the redhairedgal. I nearly jumped and shouted, hee hee! Those are truely great pictures. I am honored that you have chosen to use the name. May you have many hours of shooting pleasure with your new passion! :hatsoff:
God bless.
volatpluvia