Building Matchlock smoothbore

[Leonredbeard]

Just thought I would let you know, I am starting to build the gonne for the brass lock I did last year. I was afraid that the maple tree that the men cut down in the front yard of the parsonage was silver maple and wouldn't make a good stock. Well! It is hard! And it has a few curls here and there. I thought I would get the barrel in wood today, but got only a third of the way there.
volatpluvia

 

[TNHillbilly]

Com'on Vol' (forgive me, it's a Tennessee thing)yur jus baitin' us. Throw some pics up here so we can watch!

 

[Leonredbeard]

TN,
I might post some pictures at critical junctures along the way. Maybe when the barrel is in. Then maybe when the lock is in, etc. It looks really rough, the sides of the plank are still chain sawed. :barf: :shocked2:
volatpluvia

 

[Leonredbeard]

Here are some pics. I finished settling the barrel into the wood today. Then I spent about four hours with the common hand rip saw. I should have visited wulf!

volatpluvia

 

[PitchyPine]

Cool, alot of wood to take off :shocked2:
Looking good. :thumbsup:

 

[TNHillbilly]

Nicely done! Not at all difficult to envision the finished product. However, I now know where my missing oil lamp-sans shade-went! How'd ja do that?

 

[Leonredbeard]

TN,
I bought that at Wal*Mart in 1988! Hee! Hee!
volatpluvia

 

[Leonredbeard]

This morning I tapped the underbarrel lugs back in. This evening I inlet them into the barrel channel. Then I marked measured and very carefully drilled holes for the pins. Then I put a wood screw into the already drilled hole in the tang. Sorry, the barrel is used and I am not running a bolt through from the bottom that is big enough to tap into the hole that is already there just to be period correct. Every thing came out perfect.
Now to inlet the lock.
volatpluvia

 

[Leonredbeard]

This evening I was slicing wood off around the breach area, preparing to place the lock.
I had forgot how satisfying it was to saw, chisel and plane wood. I have spent the last three years building wheel type locks. Oh, yes, and the lock for this matcher. I hadn't done any wood work in that time. A sharp blade in the two hand plane or the spoke shave produces a glassy smooth surface. Whatever species this tree was it is hard and dense.
volatpluvia

 

[wulf]

Don't stop now. Your doing great...

 

[Leonredbeard]

wulf,
My gonne building has come to a screeching halt for the next couple of months. We have just been informed that we are no longer needed at the church where we have been associate pastors.
So I spirited (pun intended) my gonnes and building stuff up to our daughter and son in law's house in PA. My only job at the moment is to pack like crazy and find a job and a place to live in PA.
We are happy and relieved with this turn of events, but do need to get jobs and house.
volatpluvia

 

[mazo kid]

We are happy and relieved with this turn of events, but do need to get jobs and house.
volatpluvia

Good luck in your quest for a house and job; I hope you find both soon! Emery

 

[bioprof]

Volatpluvia,

Good luck and I'll be praying for you. Hope you get an assignment and are back to building soon.

Bioprof

 

[wulf]

Well.....Good luck to you...Your a fighter and
I am sure you will have no trouble...

 

[Leonredbeard]

Thanks guys,
I appreciate the thoughts and prayers. We are making good progress packing for the move. Now...where to? Probably have to bunk with the mother in law for a little.
I might be able to set up to build there and get back on the internet.
volatpluvia

 

[PitchyPine]

Praying for you and yours, hope ya get back to us soon and find what your looking for.
Gods time, Gods time. :thumbsup:

 

[Grizzled Roberts]

The best of luck to you! I look forward to your return. :thumbsup:

 

[Leonredbeard]

Thanks,
I might suffer withdrawel from the forum. Maybe the DT's.
volatpluvia

 

[ofiebakoa]

I don't know you as yet , but I trust that the Lord has bigger and better things in store for you . Just trust in Jesus.

Daniel

 

[Leonredbeard]

Thanks, Ofie
The church got the news today. We've had a few interesting conversations since noon.
volatpluvia