• Friends, our 2nd Amendment rights are always under attack and the NRA has been a constant for decades in helping fight that fight.

    We have partnered with the NRA to offer you a discount on membership and Muzzleloading Forum gets a small percentage too of each membership, so you are supporting both the NRA and us.

    Use this link to sign up please; https://membership.nra.org/recruiters/join/XR045103

My Wheel Lock Pistol build, circa 1990

Muzzleloading Forum

Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Joined
Nov 11, 2011
Messages
5,077
Reaction score
13,264
Location
Surry County, North Carolina
I thought I would share this crazy-fun project I did years ago and just stored in the case on a back shelf. It is a Wheel Lock pistol I built way back in the 1990's. I didn't date it but wish I did. It's still in pretty decent shape from lack of handling I guess. I will shoot it again real soon.
The lock was from Dixie Gun Works. The barrel is a way-too-heavy .45 cal 13/16" rifle barrel I had cut down. I filed the forward half round and also inlayed two brass bands in it; one at the breech and another toward the end of the octagon section.
The stock was a chunk of Maple I band-sawed out and carved by hand. I stained it with dye (Tandy leather dye) The wire inlays were just pounded flat wire and inserted into slits I cut into the stock with a chissel and knife. The bolt inlays and ramrod entry thimble are cow horn. I like the shape of the grip and the steel plate was a nice simple touch.
The trigger is just a metal rod I turned in my drill and filed the shape and the trigger guard was just some strap steel that I heat bent and filed.
I am wondering if I can have the barrel bored-out so it's less heavy.
Oh, yeah, I didnt know how to put a front sight on when I built it. It still needs one !
Cheers :)
 

Attachments

  • 101828872_2305459993091930_7345635781270044672_n.jpg
    101828872_2305459993091930_7345635781270044672_n.jpg
    286.5 KB
  • 78434940_2305460126425250_6154817826000470016_n.jpg
    78434940_2305460126425250_6154817826000470016_n.jpg
    310.3 KB
  • 83099305_2305460239758572_5835104789813264384_n.jpg
    83099305_2305460239758572_5835104789813264384_n.jpg
    294.3 KB
  • 101863146_2305460306425232_3915546298773667840_n.jpg
    101863146_2305460306425232_3915546298773667840_n.jpg
    135.5 KB
  • 101326989_2305460519758544_1089803588642799616_n.jpg
    101326989_2305460519758544_1089803588642799616_n.jpg
    267.7 KB
  • 101418077_2305459849758611_6345867235571007488_n.jpg
    101418077_2305459849758611_6345867235571007488_n.jpg
    191.1 KB
Last edited:
Geese o Lou! Your work never amazes me! I am a craftsman, I have experience, tools and skill. Just not like yours! I’m a fan, keep posting your work. My dream rifle only exists in a builder kit. I’ve read many of your posts and the encouragement you pass on. I’ve resided that I will build that rifle when I can focus the time to do so, life is busy. Keep it up, you are an inspiration to an aspiring future builder.
 
Geese o Lou! Your work never amazes me! I am a craftsman, I have experience, tools and skill. Just not like yours! I’m a fan, keep posting your work. My dream rifle only exists in a builder kit. I’ve read many of your posts and the encouragement you pass on. I’ve resided that I will build that rifle when I can focus the time to do so, life is busy. Keep it up, you are an inspiration to an aspiring future builder.
Thank you Gtubicon! I am happy that you are getting some inspiration from some of my work. I can certainly relate- seems people often inspire each other in many various ways here. Best wishes on your build and I am sure you can get as much information as you may need from some fine artists and craft persons here :)
 
Much Agree. Great looking wheellock pistol. I too really like what you did to the grip area. Very cool. If there is enough "meat" area in the barrel, I'm sure someone like Bobby Hoyt could drill and ream it out to a larger caliber. As I get older (71 now) these guns start to get heavy. LOL Again, great looking pistol.

Rick



















m
 
I was wondering if Bobby Hoyt would be even interested in doing such a small job. Though I dont shoot the gun much, having a nicely worked and lightened barrel would sure make it more fun.
The stock design was something I had seen in a book of antique firearms and copied it from a few photos. This was before the internet so I didnt have much to go on. It is a comfortable grip I must say :)
 
I've had original antique pistol barrels that Bobby installed liners in. A simple drill and ream/burnish to a pistol barrel would likely be an easy, quick job. And inexpensive enough to make it worth it. He is very reasonable.
 
He moved a couple years ago, but same town. Phone number is: 717-642-6696. The only way to reach him is by phone. Usually best early around 8:00AM/EST.
You can leave a message, but keep trying. Sometimes tough to get in touch with. But well worth it.
 
Back
Top