Clay Smith Trade Gun Build

[TDM]

Going to post some photos of the assembled gun at this stage. Now these aren’t bragging pictures, they’re for critique. I’m thinking I still need to remove more wood along the sides of the ram rod channel to expose more of the rod and pipes. Maybe slim the sides a bit more too. Only concerned with the stock forward of the breech, aft of the breech will come later. So I’m hoping @Rob M. will give his critique and anyone else who knows the proper look for a Trade Gun.

 

[TDM]

And one more for good measure.

 

[BillyC]

I don’t know a thing about trade guns but the photos look like very nice workmanship to me.

 

[TDM]

Thanks @BillyC !

 

[WALT53]

Thanks @BillyC !

Looking good

 

[TDM]

Looking good

Thanks Walt, but I’m going to have to remove more wood along the ram rod channel. Luckily no rush.

 

[Bnewberry]

Going to post some photos of the assembled gun at this stage. Now these aren’t bragging pictures, they’re for critique. I’m thinking I still need to remove more wood along the sides of the ram rod channel to expose more of the rod and pipes. Maybe slim the sides a bit more too. Only concerned with the stock forward of the breech, aft of the breech will come later. So I’m hoping @Rob M. will give his critique and anyone else who knows the proper look for a Trade Gun.

Sweet! A little brag at this point is in order! With the bike racing season started I am falling farther and farther behind on my projects. You are keeping me inspired so thanks!

 

[TDM]

Thanks @Bnewberry! I’m enjoying it, but I really want to try and get it as correct as I’m able. What’s the old saying, “slow and steady wins the race”.

 

[PathfinderNC]

And it seems like you’re enjoying this build which is how it should be… well , after fixing up that darned lock, that is

 

[TDM]

Your right about that @PathfinderNC

 

[Rob M.]

Going to post some photos of the assembled gun at this stage. Now these aren’t bragging pictures, they’re for critique. I’m thinking I still need to remove more wood along the sides of the ram rod channel to expose more of the rod and pipes. Maybe slim the sides a bit more too. Only concerned with the stock forward of the breech, aft of the breech will come later. So I’m hoping @Rob M. will give his critique and anyone else who knows the proper look for a Trade Gun.

The pictures , esp from above , the length of the barrel ,looks great ! The photo of the ramrod pipes ...the pipes look a bit buried . It may be just the pic. If they are at least half exposed they are good to go ... Ken Netting likes they to be a bit more than half exposed , slimmer stock and it does look good that way but thats a judgement call on your part . .Whole thing is looking really nice . The lock mortices does nerd so.e trimming of the wood around the lock but I know your just concerned of the sto k forward of the mortice right now . I like my small rat tail rasp for around both mortices .... Lookin great !!

 

[TDM]

Thanks @Rob M. I definitely agree. I sent Clay a few photos asking for his critique. His reply was the same as yours, that the ram rod should be half exposed and that the 1740 type is supposed to be a little beefier than the type G. So I’ll trim the ram rod base to the halfway mark but leave the width as is. Still got some shaping to do on the muzzle relief and inlet the cap. Then I’ll start at the mortise and work back.

 

[Rob M.]

I can never get that lock mortice as thin around the lock as the originals ! First is an original , gonna see what else I can find as examples ..... A Mr. Gahagan trade gun , man he's good ! and a NW gun I made . I can never get them thin enough . They look good in person and then in pics the edges look big ....

 

[TDM]

I can never get that lock mortice as thin around the lock as the originals ! First is an original , gonna see what else I can find as examples ..... A Mr. Gahagan trade gun , man he's good ! and a NW gun I made . I can never get them thin enough . They look good in person and then in pics the edges look big ....

Whew! I can see that I’ll be staying busy. No wandering around in the woods at night for me for a while!

 

[Ed Pilkington]

Best i can remember, no frills or wood carvings, no extra large trigger guard, only Berry stain and bear lard preserving the stock, not much to look at but one “hell-of-a-club” after the first shot.

 

[TDM]

It’s amazing what you see after walking away from a project for the day, then coming back to it the next morning. As soon as I stood in front of the still assembled gun the front pipe and ram rod were as close to the 50% mark as I could hope to do. It was the 2nd and 3rd pipes that were still too deep. Evidently, though not intentional, I’d been working at an angle. Took a straight edge and marked along the rod channel to meet the front pipe. Disassembled and started with a fine rasp and sanding block, finally got all the pipes at 50%. Kept thinking the fore stock had a slight bulge, put the straight edge on it and it did. Got that fixed. Then I started on the lock mortise. As @Rob M. said, the trade guns had a very thin mortise, so I traced the lock outline as close as I dared and started removing the wood, mostly using my small rasp. Hopefully Rob can tell me if I need more depth on the mortise. I’ll work on the side plate mortise tomorrow.

 

[Rob M.]

It’s amazing what you see after walking away from a project for the day, then coming back to it the next morning. As soon as I stood in front of the still assembled gun the front pipe and ram rod were as close to the 50% mark as I could hope to do. It was the 2nd and 3rd pipes that were still too deep. Evidently, though not intentional, I’d been working at an angle. Took a straight edge and marked along the rod channel to meet the front pipe. Disassembled and started with a fine rasp and sanding block, finally got all the pipes at 50%. Kept thinking the fore stock had a slight bulge, put the straight edge on it and it did. Got that fixed. Then I started on the lock mortise. As @Rob M. said, the trade guns had a very thin mortise, so I traced the lock outline as close as I dared and started removing the wood, mostly using my small rasp. Hopefully Rob can tell me if I need more depth on the mortise. I’ll work on the side plate mortise tomorrow.

Dude !! Looking great ! Ain't that somethin ? Walk away for awhile ...then come back and look at it .....you can see high spots and such you didn't see before

 

[TDM]

Thanks @Rob M. !!!!

 

[mikesto44]

They had a couple original trade guns at the Tennessee show this weekend. Seeing them helps too...

 

[TDM]

Today I inletted the wrist plate, the pre inlet was off center so I couldn’t get it centered without a couple of gaps. And I reduced the side plate mortise. As I reduce the thickness of the wrist I’ll be able to add a bit more relief to both mortises.