Kibler Fowler progress so far

[Texcl2]

Well I have my Fowler mostly done, French red filler/stain worked well, several coats of truoil afterwards, I was going to age it with bone black from kibler’s but my supplies from the Fowler orders haven’t showed yet, no biggie I’ll use them on the other Fowler that is on order with them. I left the lock and barrel bright, fire blued the screws and trigger, which are more black than blue do to a couple factors. The buttplate screws wouldn’t fire blue, might be stainless? I got them darker any how and the plate will be aged so that’s fine. I blew out a pin hole do to finish clogging it and trying to force a pin through. I’ll dye some thickened epoxy and fix it, it won’t be noticeable and is very minor. I adjusted the trigger so it has the slightest amount of play. Anyways here’s some pictures…..

 

[S.Kenton]

If you havnt done so, round your pins, at least the end that your pushing through the holes and you wont blow out your wood. I normally round both ends of my pins, that why I I can’t forget which end I’ve rounded.. lol. I like the color you’ve chose.. it looks really nice! Looking forward to seeing the finished product.Since your ordering another one I’ll buy this one from you when your ready! I’ve got a Jackie brown Fowler that I’ve reworked to my liking, I’m getting ready to sell it to fund my kibler Fowler.. or buy one when one comes up for sale.

 

[Texcl2]

lol, yeah the sad thing is they are rounded on both ends, I actually blew it out trying to start the pin through the dried filler/finish and the pin went sideways, it’s more like a small gouge. I was being lazy and should have used a drill bit to open it first. I got away with it on all the other pin holes, but that one time lol. My resin dye was all dried out, of course, so will have to wait till Wednesday to get the dye and fix it. This Fowler is a 20 ga, the other is a 16ga. I plan to do the next kit to a much finer finish and will get the brass hardware engraved in the same style as the originals. Figured I could knock the dust off with this kit, I haven’t built a gun in over 10 years, maybe 15. I think next time I will fire the screws to a lighter blue and quench them in a different oil so they aren’t so dark. I can always buff them back some but will probably just let them be, they will lighten up with wear.

 

[RiverRat]

The wood looks amazing! I just finished one in maple and after seeing yours, it makes me want to order a walnut one……..

 

[Texcl2]

Thanks! I like it as well, it was discounted for a chipped stock but it was glued and can’t even find it now. Saved $100 if I recall, those quick ships can be a great deal and you get to pick the wood.

 

[James Kibler]

Buttplate screws are zinc plated. Chuck in a drill and polish with sandpaper.

 

[Texcl2]

Thanks Jim, I knew there was something different about them. I’ll re-sand polish and try again.

 

[Adam in WI]

Buttplate screws are zinc plated. Chuck in a drill and polish with sandpaper.

Zinc plated on purpose, or is there trouble sourcing unplated hardware? I had to search high and low it seems to find bare steel screws. The ones I finally did find were not of great quality.

 

[Texcl2]

Here’s some more pictures….

 

[James Kibler]

No, not plated on purpose. It's hard to find quality wood screws. We could easily strip off the zinc plating, but don't bother as all screws really need to be polished as described above anyway.

 

[James Kibler]

Nice looking fowling piece!

 

[Texcl2]

Thanks! I need to engrave the hardware yet, but I’m not skilled enough. Will have to find someone or wait till I’m learned and practiced enough. I’d like to put some simple borders and some English roses on some of the hardware and border on the tang. Now onto the ramrod, I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to blue the ramrod tip after fitting since the pins should be pinned and filed. I may use pin stock, fit it and either not peen it since the pins should will already be fitted or I will put a similar “sheen” as on the barrel and lock. I think the blued finish would look sharp though.

 

[James Kibler]

I would suggest Chuck Edwards. It will be appropriate and well done.

 

[Texcl2]

How would I contact him?

 

[Texcl2]

Never mind, wife found him on Facebook. Thanks again!