Finally the Trade Rifle is ready to finish

[ronaldrothb49]

Was wondering if I would ever get to this point on this thing. This was a plain maple blank that had probably been sitting in the workshop for over 30 years. Man that wood got hard, I think I spent more time sharpening chisels than I actually spent working on it. I have wanted a trade rifle for as long as I can remember but Now wishing I had made an English Pattern instead of the Lancaster pattern. I don't really like Lancaster rifles. OH well this was about the finish anyhow. Did a final test strip for the finish and will start on that now.

 

[EndoftheLine]

Was wondering if I would ever get to this point on this thing. This was a plain maple blank that had probably been sitting in the workshop for over 30 years. Man that wood got hard, I think I spent more time sharpening chisels than I actually spent working on it. I have wanted a trade rifle for as long as I can remember but Now wishing I had made an English Pattern instead of the Lancaster pattern. I don't really like Lancaster rifles. OH well this was about the finish anyhow. Did a final test strip for the finish and will start on that now.

Looking good! Where did you get your hardware?

 

[ronaldrothb49]

Looking good! Where did you get your hardware?

Modified parts I had laying around

 

[wiscoaster]

I vote for #3.

 

[IanH]

I vote for wrap it with iron baling wire and wave a propane torch along the wires for faux stripes, then I second #3.

 

[ead]

Awesome, it looks just like a J. Henry trade rifle.
I always wanted to build one. If you don't mind my asking, Were you able to buy this patchbox on the market and what brand is the lock, Chambers perhaps?

 

[ronaldrothb49]

Awesome, it looks just like a J. Henry trade rifle.
I always wanted to build one. If you don't mind my asking, Were you able to buy this patchbox on the market and what brand is the lock, Chambers perhaps?

I am pretty sure that the lock is probably an old DGW lock. It is a little smaller than an actual Henry lock. It has a roller on the frizzen spring and I could modify it to look like a Henry. Chambers does have a lock that is close to the correct size and could be modified to look right. I am trying to use up parts that I have in stock got to stop buying parts and use what I have I will be 75 next month. The patch box was a plain kit. I made a pattern from the Trade Rifle Sketch Book and cut it out by hand. Not hard to do.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

I vote for wrap it with iron baling wire and wave a propane torch along the wires for faux stripes, then I second #3.

Pretty sure they didn't have propane torches 200 years ago.

 

[IanH]

Pretty sure they didn't have propane torches 200 years ago.

Okay, then heat a poker orange hot in your coal forge and use that.