Ian, really nice work, I try but you succeed! I have some books that I try to copy from but some how my fingers don't seem to follow the lines that I scribe to.
In the late 70s I built a Reading school rifle in cherry. I was anxious to get it done for reenacting so I inlet the square tang. Seeing my mistake I inlet a small piece of cherry into the tang area.Mostly copying from images of Haines original works, but I'm altering the style slightly (fewer sharp points to the leaves, for one thing) and making some of it up where I can't seem to find any detailed photos, such as the transition from the forestock mouldings to the entry thimble carving. I'll also have to make up the tang carving so some degree as I explained earlier the person who started the kit and inlet the barrel and tang didn't modify the tang so I have this big flared, squared-off thing to deal with.
Something that's more difficult than I anticipated was drawing some the designs backwards by eye....my rifle is left handed.
Thank you for the encouraging words. Thing is, I don't generally care for carved rifles, brass patch boxes, or muzzle caps, so with regard to carving in particular I don't have much desire to master it, just to get through this one without it looking like a drunk monkey beat on it with a hatchet. The only reason I'm carving this one is it is necessary for the style and I do like the overall look of several of Isaac Haines' rifles. This rifle is getting an engraved, four-piece patch box for the same reason, but for that I will be taking liberties of both the layout and size to make it more pleasing to my eye.You're doing really good work for just starting out. With more practice, or better yet taking a class from a top-not carver, you'll be doing even better work. What I'm trying to say is that you're off to a good start, show good ability and could get really good with time.
A little, yes. I didn't expect it to be difficult beyond avoiding flaking out pits in the wavy grain during background removal, and it hasn't been too hard. It would be MUCH mire difficult if I had to invent all the patterns from scratch. I took to heart the often-dispensed advise to unashamedly copy other's good work when starting out.It's easier than you thought it would be, isn't it?
Same as engraving. No matter how well the execution is done, the design makes it or breaks it.I agree that drawing the pattern is the hardest part.
Looks very good! A little insize carvings can add a whole lot to it- a few small vine- thingys. A little will add a lotSore neck, too.
A little preview. I know I should round over the leaves more, but then I'd have to rework some of the other panels to match, so probably will just leave them as they are.
One coat of blushed ferric nitrate/water solution to raise the grain, sanded back and wetted with alcohol:
View attachment 298947
After second coat of stain and light whiskering:
View attachment 298946
Done with carving, on to the infernal brass patchbox. I dislike them so much I've seriously considered skipping it. Might yet skip it, I'm squarely on the fence.
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