Getting wired

[Mike Brooks]

I built this a while ago from a Chambers smooth rifle kit. The guy that ordered it wanted some wire work on the gun, and let me have my way with it.
If I remember correctly it has a .54 rifled barrel.
There is just over 10 feet of brass wire in it. Thought you guys might get a kick out of this one. :winking:
>>>>GET WIRED

 

[rich pierce]

Brother Oerter would be pleased.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Brother Oerter would be pleased.

Just too bad it isn't a Christian Springs gun. :shake:

 

[rich pierce]

True dat, but some of the design behind the cheekpiece Oerter-ish. I love the sideplate. I've never ventured into wire inlay; must try it. I imagine that curling down from the lock panels to the belly is challenging.

 

[Mike Brooks]

I took most all of the design from the oerter rifle, but Chambers kit is definatly not an Oerter rifle, that's what I was getting at. I just regret after all of these hours of work i didn't end up putting all of this wire in an actual Oerter rifle! Oh well, I'll just have to do it right some day... :winking:
I've done a lot of sterling wire in the past, but this was the first go around with brass. I believe the thickness was .016. I found I had to aneal more often. I anealed the sheet I was cutting from right off, but as soon as I cutt a piece off it work hardened and had to be anealed again. Going over those curves was impossible if the wire had work hardened at all. As long as the wire was soft I coud get it to do about anything.
I'm getting real itchy to do a high end fowler with TONS of wire and writhing dragon beasties all over it. Like the old french design plates from the early 1700's or so..... Wally Gusler had an excellent French example in his booth last Sept.Now, If I could just get somebody to order something like that.... :haha:

 

I'm getting real itchy to do a high end fowler with TONS of wire and writhing dragon beasties all over it

You mean something like the one Monte Mandarino did a few years ago? That would certainly keep you out of trouble for awhile :grin: :hmm: then again, you'ld likely still find time to get into trouble now & then. Very nice wire work BTW. It has a nice balance from butt to muzzle.

Cody

 

[CoyoteJoe]

That is "way cool" Mike. :bow: I've done a little wire inlay myself but not in many years, not sure I remember how. I bought brass ribbons from DGW. Did you coat the brass with glue before tapping into the cut? I'd imagine those three dimentional bends would be a bitch. I made my chisels from bits of hacksaw blades shaped and sharpened with a dremel tool and found some blades were too soft and others too brittle, what did you use?

 

[Mike Brooks]

That is "way cool" Mike. :bow: I've done a little wire inlay myself but not in many years, not sure I remember how. I bought brass ribbons from DGW. Did you coat the brass with glue before tapping into the cut? I'd imagine those three dimentional bends would be a bitch. I made my chisels from bits of hacksaw blades shaped and sharpened with a dremel tool and found some blades were too soft and others too brittle, what did you use?

I cut my brass ribbon from sheet stock with a standard pair of scissors. I use bits of hack saw blade too, they work fine. No glue on mine, I've not had any trouble keeping the wire in....so far. :winking:

 

[Mike Brooks]

That is "way cool" Mike. :bow: I've done a little wire inlay myself but not in many years, not sure I remember how. I bought brass ribbons from DGW. Did you coat the brass with glue before tapping into the cut? I'd imagine those three dimentional bends would be a bitch. I made my chisels from bits of hacksaw blades shaped and sharpened with a dremel tool and found some blades were too soft and others too brittle, what did you use?

I cut my brass ribbon from sheet stock with a standard pair of scissors. I use bits of hack saw blade too, they work fine. No glue on mine, I've not had any trouble keeping the wire in....so far. :winking:

 

[Deerstalker]

:bow: You guys just amaze me sometimes,and that is all I have to say about that!
Bryan