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my 36 caliber longrifle pics

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Gustavo Hoefs

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I hope you all enjoy these pictures but before you look keep in mind I did not try to copy a Pennsylvania long rifle, I instead used purchased parts swamped barrel twig style lock and set triggers. As an artist and craftsman I fabricated the rest of the parts by hand to a theme and created this gun based on some rules while stretching others. The theme is a dedication to the alligator and the sable palm therefore the brass inlay palm fronds and the alligator sideplate and patchbox cover. The front sight is fossilized mammoth ivory which would have been available for discovery back in the day. I welcome all opinions including those which are not positive the link should cycle through approx 5-6 pics.
http://s410.photobucket.com/user/gustavohoefs/media/IMG_0418_zpsd2ymjjty.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
 
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That's a very unique rifle! I personally lean more toward the historically correct but I think it's cool that you came up with your own style. Nice work.
 
I much prefer "traditional" LRs, but if taking "artistic license" is what you want, so be it. As the saying goes..."it's your gun so do w/ it what you will". Can't really make a remark other than....if it pleases you, that's the important thing.....and do appreciate your time and effort in building your LR....Fred
 
Unique it is. Back in the day they recycled parts, so not everything was "pure". Many of the makers were artisans as well as gunsmiths, and some of the carvings on Christian Springs rifles will bear witness.
 
I like it in the respect that it could have, should have, and a version quite perhaps did exist.
 
As an artistic exercise it is interesting, but it isn't something I personally would want to own. The execution appears to be well done.
 
Looks good. Can't get more southern than those gators and sable palms.
 
Great looking shooting iron!

Though not a historical piece, it definitely shows your talent as an artist and a craftsman, and it a good representation of your gunbuilding skill.
 
I think it is pretty cool. I like your imagination and the whimsical sideplate. I think that is very clever.
 
Thank you! And To all who have commented on the " Gator Getter " I appreciate your input, honesty and encouragement. I went in the direction I did because I am of the opinion that In order to do historical I would need original rifles to examine and copy from or at least some in museums, both of which are not available to me. There are also experienced gun builders from whom I can buy a historically accurate gun for a fair price and done better than I could. I thought it more appropriate to come up with something on my own, I should build a rifle that works safely and a design that was achieved /executed using hand tools that falls within the parameters of 18th century technology, size,profile,& limitations and a design that was my own. This is a great forum and I am grateful to be allowed to participate.
 
I like the rifle. Personally in regards to PC, if you had the extra coin to spare back in the day, I don't think too many gunsmiths would turn down making a rifle to your specifications that looked very similarly themed with a similar parts set up.
 
I do build LRs which are pretty much HC and have never held an original. How is it done? By buying the best books that have examples of LRs that you would like to simulate and becoming educated by various sources that pertain to the styles you want to build. Of course this research takes time and effort...but in lieu of "the real thing", it's the only procedure.

Building LRs that have no documented precedent is the easy way out....no research is req'd.

I think that you are quite capable, as displayed w/ your build and that you could do the same research.. interpolating photos shouldn't be that difficult for you.

If you're not interested in building more LRs w/ an HC style that yields interest and will be worth something, ignore this post.....Fred
 
Actually ....... the Andrew Long rifle on page 84 of Bivins book LR's of NC appeals to me and I think it would be a nice one to copy
 
Personally, I'm with Fred. I prefer basing a gun on originals. Just my thing.
I do appreciate artistic ability however.
Your skills in creating the side plate and entry pipe far exceed your woodworking and finishing abilities. My suggestion would be to hone those skills so,that the finished product complements those artistic abilities. Pretty pieces that are not properly installed don't work.
 
Goo describe your wood finishing technique and materials. Are you satisfied with your own work on this area?

You can learn a lot from folks around here. Dane's criticism is interesting... basically to match the set of skills involved in gunsmithing. I never considered that. It makes sense though, that particularly good woodcarving can be undone by poor metal-working skills and vice versa. So if we pick up faster on one skill-set we should put more effort into our weak spots.

As for wood finish- figured maple does not benefit from your garden variety wood stains found at the local hardware store (think minwax). That stuff gets color from pigments which are microscopic particles that clog the pores of wood grain. For some woods like ash and oak this works well because the annual rings take up pigments in different ratios and become accentuated by the pigment. Wood like maple doesn't have very pronounced annual rings and gets its figure from a wavy texture in the alignment of the grains. Grain structure such as this can let light into the pores before reflecting back. When the grain has waves, the light penetrates deeper in some areas than in others, giving the wood a striped look.

If you put a pigment on figured maple the tiny particles clog the pores. This may accent the striped nature of the wavy grain but it will only be 2-dimensional.

There is a better way. Stains for maple usually involve a chemical reaction with the tannins in the wood. This tints or darkens the wood without clogging pores. Then when the wood is finished with a good penetrating oil the stripes are highlighted without losing the depth. The result is stunningly beautiful.

It is difficult to photograph this, and even more difficult to describe.
 
I like it! I hold two views on muzzleloading rifles. One is an appreciation for historically correct examples. Especially in awe of people who still can actually make every piece. I have another place in my heart for what I like to call neo primitive style. Merging the modern with the past. Can be difficult to do in a tasteful way. In my opinion you accomplished it.
 

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