First build. Looking for advice on how to start.

[Tx635]

Tx635,

Lots of good advice here. I can tell you, I did EXACTLY what you are considering doing. I am handy with my hands, mostly an aircraft technician though. I followed mostly YT videos. I had basic tools and bought a couple files and a couple inletting chisels. I bought a full length unfinished kit from sitting fox. Had the barrel channel cut, the ramrod hole bored out, and the lock 80% inlet. I built the rifle on a small foldable table with a couple trips to the garage for the metal work. It won't win any ribbons for historical accuracy, but it looks great and shoots very well.

Good luck!

Thank very much for the vote of confidence. Sounds like a great rifle though

 

[Tom A Hawk]

I have made good use of the Recreating The American Longrifle over the years. I am about to tackle the butt carving on an Isaac Haines and wondering if the Greenville book offers some useful C scroll examples. Perhaps some of you owners could please advise.

 

[dave_person]

Hi Tom A Hawk,
Get KRA CDs of photos of original guns. There is a nice Isaac Haines shown on Volume 1, issue 6. KRA is Kentucky Rifle Association. The photos can be blown up to really see the details. Below are photos of carving I did on a Haines copied almost exactly from the original in the PA State Museum and also shown in RCA volume 1. The progress photos may help you.

dave

 

[Tx635]

That looks beyond beautiful. That's truly amazing the level of craftsman ship.

 

[kje54]

I do have access to a farm Owned by my cousin and a work space in his pole barn. So space won't be too big a problem for building it. I've seen the arguments from multiple sides on these rifles. It seems like their isn't much consensus on it, but this rifle seems like a good starting point to me to get close to what may have been carried.
I may do a few of the upgrades that where proposed to may have been done, namely having the barrel in .54 cal vs .50cal wich also is offered by track of the wolf but also adding the sling swivels would be great if I do take it into the woods.
As for it's balance, I'm not too worried about that. I don't shoot much these days but it's generally nothing too intensive or strenuous. I'm mostly looking to gain the skills and have something that I could shoot and hunt with on occasion if I want to. I do also love the very plain look of this rifle too, nothing fancy or flashy, just a nice modest looking rifle that will get the job done.

Trust Dave on this if you've never done a TOTW, Pecatonica or any other of those so called "kits" sold by them. Those so called kits are basically a collection of unfinished parts that you have to finish first (or pay to have them finished) before attempting to match the parts to the stock. If you have the dedication and patience for it then go ahead otherwise follow Dave's advice. I have a Pecatonica Tulle I bought back in 2015 that's about a third completed which has obviously spent more time sitting in the closet then on my work bench. I have done a few Pendersoli kits and reworked some other rifles to get practice, it's giving me more confidence to eventually go back to the Tulle and finish it.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Hi Tom A Hawk,
Get KRA CDs of photos of original guns. There is a nice Isaac Haines shown on Volume 1, issue 6. KRA is Kentucky Rifle Association. The photos can be blown up to really see the details. Below are photos of carving I did on a Haines copied almost exactly from the original in the PA State Museum and also shown in RCA volume 1. The progress photos may help you.

dave

Thanks Dave. You're a treasure. I just ordered the recommended CD and your photos are great.

Here is my rendition of Isaac's entry pipe and tang carving.

 

[Vaino]

Sorry for the spelling error....."pasts set" should have been parts set. Most of the parts sets offered by suppliers are a bunch of parts that can be made into a quality LR if the builder is capable enough. Kits are usually factory produced and are quite simple to assemble which mainly entails sanding and applying finish.....Fred

 

[steg49]

I usually don't show my rifles off but for a new builder this is what you can end up with if you take your time. I had never worked with wood prior to my first build and I had no special skills. I did almost exactly the same thing as Versanaut except I worked in the garage. steg49

 

[Tx635]

Sorry for the spelling error....."pasts set" should have been parts set. Most of the parts sets offered by suppliers are a bunch of parts that can be made into a quality LR if the builder is capable enough. Kits are usually factory produced and are quite simple to assemble which mainly entails sanding and applying finish.....Fred

Ok now I'm kinda getting what you are saying. So how close is this "kit" to a parts set? The stock is only shaped not inlet beyond the barrel and ramrod channels. But everything else is off the shelf.

I usually don't show my rifles off but for a new builder this is what you can end up with if you take your time. I had never worked with wood prior to my first build and I had no special skills. I did almost exactly the same thing as Versanaut except I worked in the garage. steg49

Those are some very fine weapons. What did you build those off of?

 

[dave_person]

Hi Tom,
Those look good, just a little clean up needed. Here are the same areas copied from an original Haines:

Haines was a great carver and attempting to emulate his work is a real challenge.

dave

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Hi Tom,
Those look good, just a little clean up needed. Here are the same areas copied from an original Haines:

Haines was a great carver and attempting to emulate his work is a real challenge.

dave

Envious.

 

[kansas_volunteer]

I disagree 1792 contract rifles were heavy and clumsy. They were Lancaster style rifles, most made by Dickert. the 1792s were essentially base model hunting rifles. If 1792s were heavy and clumsy so were the rifles highly imitated today. The Stith L&C rifles might be designated today as M1792A1, but the evidence for them is speculative. As until 1803 the needs of those going into the great unknown of the west weren't known, at least not at all well known, I personally doubt the 92s were converted to the A1 configuration in anticipation of western needs. But, as a best guess of what L&C might have carried the M1792A1is as good as any other. If I wanted to make some effort to represent the L&C expedition rifles it's probably what I'd settle on.

Personally, my interest in 1792 rifles is limited to their history prior to any modification.

 

[Tx635]

I disagree 1792 contract rifles were heavy and clumsy. They were Lancaster style rifles, most made by Dickert. the 1792s were essentially base model hunting rifles. If 1792s were heavy and clumsy so were the rifles highly imitated today. The Stith L&C rifles might be designated today as M1792A1, but the evidence for them is speculative. As until 1803 the needs of those going into the great unknown of the west weren't known, at least not at all well known, I personally doubt the 92s were converted to the A1 configuration in anticipation of western needs. But, as a best guess of what L&C might have carried the M1792A1is as good as any other. If I wanted to make some effort to represent the L&C expedition rifles it's probably what I'd settle on.

Personally, my interest in 1792 rifles is limited to their history prior to any modification.

Ya. I've been seeing ones that where cut down and the stock still kept at a full length, which I may do if I could find either a 33in barrel and just buy everything else separate, since everything one the list has a sku and can be found for sale on track of the wolf. Or if I could find a way to cut the 42in down that they off in the kit as they do offer the option for 54cal aswell.
It would be a good representation, since we don't have definitive proof on the 15 rifles they got before the journey.

 

[Tx635]

I was able to find a 36in 15/16" stright octagan barrel that would work with this stock that they have. I'll just need to find a breach plug and plan a way to shorten the stocks forward portion of it so it'll even up like the original. Would all of this work? I also have art of making the Pennsylvania long rifle on the way.
The bottom one is the one I'd like to make.

 

[4575wcf]

Hey Guys
Newbie to the Forum tonight, but not new to muzzle loading been doing it for years. One hawken, one underhammer, two double barrel shotguns, couple plains rifles, one Charleyville, several revolvers etc. Been inactive, without a club, currently building an LC Smith shotgun (whew) on another forum.
Now my question. Have any of you fellows seen the 1792 rifle in the Clark collection at the Air Force Academy Library? It seems to have all the right Lewis and Clark changes, unfortunately you apparently cannot view it online anymore. Kind of like a murder investigation, sometimes all you got is a feeling. And I can't shake this one.
Next. Does anybody know if the McCormick contract rifle/pistol locks at Harpers Ferry were big enough to clean up a lock mortise in a used 1792? The locks were there and that is what I would have taken. Also would fit the two horse pistols. Thanks for having me.

 

[pooch156]

I wouldn't touch that kit, until I read this book, cover-to-cover.

View attachment 79473

Bought a copy of this book 20 years ago. I keep it near the bench. And yes, I still refer to it