Interesting gun and lock

[Slowpoke]

A buddy of mine has a rifle built about 30 years by Ron Griffie. The barrel 40 caliber Griffie barrel and is 48 inches. It's kinda like me... not much to look at but a really good shooter.
What makes this rifle interesting is the lock. It's made from a extender arm for the trunk of a Honda. It has a single trigger that catches on a notch. Once the trigger is pulled it slaps the nipple that is threaded into the barrel. Anyway, I thought ya'll would like to take a look at a unusual gun.

SP

 

[Slowpoke]

 

[Stumpkiller]

Well, ya done it.

I can't think of anything to say. :shocking:

 

I agree with Stumpy, I'm sitting here with my mouth open, in awe of the simplicity of the lock mechanics, and what gorgeous wood on that gun..Are you sure the builders name was'nt Rube Goldberg. Bill

 

[Zonie]

Somehow it doesn't look PC, but who knows? Mr Honda's Great, Great, Great Grandad might have taken it to the Rondy. :: ::

I think that stock came from a very rare tree called a Maple Fauxcurl. Seldom seen after being put on the Endangered Species List. ::
:imo:

 

[Slowpoke]

Yeah, very simple firing system. I wonder if way back if Ole Joe Manton ever tinkered with anything like this. The wood is beautiful but it does have some worm stains and holes in it, I think it actually adds a little character to the gun. It goes to show ya, we sometime make thing more complicated than they really should be. I offerd to buy it but the guy is steadfast on keeping it.

SP

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Just damn, nuff said.

 

[Pork Chop]

Whew!! For a moment, I thought that was a hook to keep the gun from sliding too deep into your boot. The action shot relieved my concern. All kidding aside, that is neat! Did the original builder go from any historic documents, or is that his own design "lock?"

Very nice looking stock BTW.

 

[Henry]

I can not figure out how to add a picture
Can I send one to somebody on this list
who can do it ?

 

[Slowpoke]

I'm pretty sure he was inspired by a mule-ear lock and just got lazy and took a "few" short cuts.

 

I saw one almost identical to this at Friendship many years ago, except that the slapper rod was made from a pitch fork tine.

On that one the rod was turned and ran through the stock instead of having a seperate piece as a sear bar.

:RO:

 

[silverfox]

Slowpoke: Like you say it is a strange and interesting rifle how well does it shoot. Like the wood it looks like the wood on a Kelker Bros smooth rifle I have. The finish has to be very old I don't think you can get that patina with any recent finishes. At first I thought the stripes had to be painted on but then changed my mind they were just coal black from age except where normal wear wore the color down. I like the lock simple and effective and I wouldn't part with it if it was mine either. Nice gun.
Fox

 

[reddogge]

Ron is an interesting an unusual character and I can imagine the glee he had making this gun. Every rifle I ever made had a Griffie barrel and Griffie wood. Every trip to his house was an adventure.

 

[Henry]

There is a plan for a pistol with a similar
system in this book:
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/categories...tNum=BOOK-AFPPP

A pistol of this type was on the market in France
around 1900

 

[Slowpoke]

I spoke with the owner and he confirms that the rifle is no more than 7 years old. For some reason I thought it was older than that. Anyway the inspiration for this gun came from a trip Griffie took through NC/SC and saw a rifle similar to this one but the "hammer" was made from a pitchfork tine.
Personally I want to build a rifle like this but I don't have the time right now, maybe winter of next year.

SP

 

[loojack]

Is there anyway to get the links to the photos back? I'd like to see this! Thanks!.....loojack

 

[Slowpoke]

Here you go......

 

[loojack]

Thank you! Slowpoke, that is truely amazing.....Thanks again!... :hatsoff: loojack

 

:thumbsup: nOW IF SOME SMARTA.. WILL MAKE IT INTO A FLINT............!

 

[CrackStock]

What an elegantly simple design, but I imagine that the trigger would be awful.

If I could solve that problem without ruining the simplicity of the "lock", I would likely build one.

CS