Mid 18th century rifle

[blackdog of vt]

This is my take on a European trained gunsmith (possibly Bavarian) working in colonial America, in the years leading up to the F&I war. I attempted to look at rococo from a baroque point of view assuming an experienced gunsmith was trying his hand at carving in the newer fashion yet still retaining the roots of his training. This I think blended old parts with new art and some charismatic flair thrown in creates a rifle with a interesting yet a business like personality in the game taking 58 cal.

 

[blackdog of vt]

A few more.

 

[kurts]

that is a very nice rifle

 

[kaintuck]

Very good! :hatsoff:
Like the different type of lock panels!

Marc

 

[Tinker2]

Nicely done.
:hatsoff:



William Alexander

 

[wattlebuster]

Very sharp :hatsoff: Im with Kaintuck on the lock panels

 

[rich pierce]

You know what you're doing.

 

[blackdog of vt]

Thanks Rich, I like this one so much I even feed it some of those white flints as a treat :haha:

 

[galamb]

Looks quite "believable" for the time period you were shooting for.

What is your barrel length??

 

[blackdog of vt]

Its a rice 37''. Believable is close enough for me, even a maybe or two.... I only have to impress myself on this one. Even my dog approves, but then again she chases more butterflies than stags so whatever that's worth.

 

[galamb]

On your side plate it looks like your dog is pushing the deer just fine (or is that "another" dog?) :rotf:

I would suspect that 37" would have been on the long end of barrel lengths if the builder was staying closer to their European roots. You probably have gone even shorter if you wanted (down as far as 30/31").

But it does look "visually" balanced - not "stubby".

That is not to my taste in rifles but I would be more than well pleased if I had built it.

Very nice.

 

[Pete G]

Interesting concept on the carving.

 

[blackdog of vt]

It is my current dog, but maybe wishful thinking on the stag part. She is actually a pretty good bird dog, just gets a bit confused when not in hunting season. :youcrazy:
The gun I used as an architectural example had a barrel of about 39 inches. I used 37 just because I like the profile and feel. There were plenty longer than that and shorter too. The short barrel thing is more stereotype than fact.
The barrel is 1 1/8 at the breach and really doesn't feel fat.

 

[Vaino]

You've done a good job of using that short a bbl.....it doesn't look "short" which is quite an accomnplishment....Fred

 

[stuartg]

I'm with Marc on the lock panels. I dig em!

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Eye bacon...great work! :hatsoff:

 

[blackdog of vt]

I started calling it the paradox gun because of that. Its big but not really heavy at 8.5lbs, short but doesn't look or feel like it, wide but not fat. All characteristics I see in some Bavarian made rifles I admire.

 

[LRB]

A very nice looking rifle, but one question. Is there a historical reason that the rear mount of the guard is way off set in the butt stock flat?

 

[blackdog of vt]

Its just how the shadow makes it look. I was fighting with sun and clouds so there is a few colors and shadows that really aren't there in person. If you look close you can see the line.

 

[Col. Batguano]

A 58 caliber barrel is a big profile barrel, yet you managed to make it look slender, which is really saying something.

How thick are your webs fore and aft?: