Engraved Trigger Guard

[LRB]

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Just finished this guard. The last of the parts to be done. A couple or so coats of finish on the stock, and the gun will be finished.

 

[Roy]

Beautiful work. :bow:

 

[rabjr]

:bow: Wow! Very nice Wick!

 

[KyFlintlock]

Very nice work!

Wess

 

[grey8833]

Wick:

How long have you been doing that?

Mike

 

[LRB]

If you mean anywhere near correctly, very recently. My first attempt was 1977. It was a dismal failure, but equall to some original LR's I've seen. There was not enough info available then, without going to a formal school for it. I did a couple of small pieces afterwards that where a bit better, then no more until a few years ago, when I built my second longrifle. The engraving was not that great then either, but much improved. I gave up the push graver, and went to hammer and chisle. That was like night and day for me. About three years ago I did another longrifle, then a yeager, and did much better after watching tapes from Lynton McKenzie. That is pretty much it until I started this project. I still have a ways to go. I do not consider my work all that good, just good enough for 18th c. America, and early 19th c. If you were ever able to see a Ron Ehlert gun up close, you would see the difference. That man was a real engraver. Once you kinda get the hang of the tools, design becomes one of the hardest areas to master.

 

[philo426]

Great work!Did you put black laquer in the grooves and wipe it off to bring the engraving out?

 

[RMillet]

So did you ever go back to the push graver? I've never mastered it. I'm pretty good with a chasing hammer but that push work just baffles me. I'm definitely at that point where the design part has become the hard part. Looks like you've done a real fine job of figuring that out, congrats.

****

 

[LRB]

I have found the push graver very useful for cleaning up ragged areas, fine shadeing,ect. I also use a flat push graver for nick and dot, although on this piece, I had to use the square to do the nick and dot on the forward tang. I did not have manuver room for the flat. I can see where the square would do N+D in a neater fashion than the flat, but would take more time. I still have a lot to learn.
Pyrodex, that is Derusto flat black. Wipe on,wipe off.

 

[BLAHMAN]

Where can one find those videos?

How about doing us a tutorial of your techniques like Mike Brooks did with his?

 

[Mike Brooks]

WOW! That's SUPER Wick! :hatsoff:

 

[Tommy Bruce]

C'mon Wick, Tell us what it's going on. You did a fine job on the engraving. Can't wait to see the rest of the gun.

 

[fw707]

Wick, that is absolutely beautiful. :hatsoff: