New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle

[davec2]

I am determined, while I have some rare free time between contracts, to finish as many of the partially started rifles and pistols I have put on hold as I learned enough from the great builders on this and other sites to know how much I didn't know (if that makes any sense....?)  The problem with completing projects I started before I learned as much as I have now is that I have to live with a lot of things that I would not now do the same way.  However, I have determined that I can learn more by making the best of what I have rather than throwing it all out and starting over.

So here is another rifle that I really started in parallel with the walnut stocked rifle I just finished.  The architecture had long been established as well as some of the parts I used.  I had originally planned to make another brass patch box, but in building the copy of the Kibler rifle that I completed a while ago, I made my first wooden patch box got the hang of it.  I changed over to one here.  The barrel is a Rice, 42 inch, swamped, round bottom rifling in .50 cal.  I had already inletted a Chamber English round faced lock along with the barrel.  I liked the carving I copied on the Kibler rifle and am using many of the same elements here, with some modifications.

So here is is so far................

 

[davec2]

All the rough carving completed.  Just need to finish sculpting and cleaning up the background.....

 

[davec2]

Some engraving.....not none, but not too much.  English motif.

 

[wattlebuster]

:shocked2:

 

[nchawkeye]

Looking good!!! :hatsoff:

 

[hoochiepapa]

Dave, you picked a good one to copy. Jim Kibler is one of the modern greats.
I haven't stepped out and tried a wood patchbox yet, maybe now is the time.
Very nice work.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Do you use Dykem's machinist blue and then scratch your designs in to it, rather than the engraving white and draw on it with a pencil?

 

[davec2]

Yes, that is Dykem.  I use many methods to get the original design down on the part, but often just Dykem the surface and sketch the design very, very lightly with a sharp scribe.  The part looks like this while I am working:

Here the side plate has been attached to a scrap piece of wood with Super Glue (later released by heat), coated with Dykem, the design sketched, and then cut.  Before I remove the Dykem, I blacken the engraving with a "Q" tip and Brass Black.  In the fresh cuts, the Black works immediately and the Dykem keeps the rest of the surface from blackening.  Once the cuts are black, I wipe off the Dykem with lacquer thinner.

 

[davec2]

Mike,

Here is the Jim Kibler rifle I copied exactly:
http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2014/06/jim-kibler.html

And here is my copy:
http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2014/11/david-crisalli-rifle-after-jim-kibler.html

 

[kaintuck]

Dave,
I would enjoy it if you would also show n tell how you get such smooth wood contours~ I see on your workbench different gouges, but no riffle files. Out line with a zacto knife, or do you use the 'stab' method, or a sliding chisel method with the gouge that fits your contour???
your inner wood areas are so smooth....I work and work, and still have unevenness....I think I must be not holding my tongue right or something...
please demo if possible.....or tell us your method~~ :shocked2:
marc n tomtom

 

[kaintuck]

OOOPPPSSSsssssssss.......I DO see riffle files on your table~~~

marc n tomtom

 

[19283]

I asked the same thing a while back, and Dave answered kindly. The reply is in:

Post#1433459 (Topic#291292)

I don't know how to link to it though :grin:

 

[davec2]

Info about tools I use, etc., can be found here
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/291292/fromsearch/1/tp/1/

 

[davec2]

Continuing the work on this rifle......

Finishing the carving

Two applications of Aqua Fortis / iron stain with heat blush of each and the seal coat of Sutherland & Wells polymerized tung oil 50/50 with aged turpentine.

Some barrel decoration in progress

 

[Brokennock]

Absolutely incredible work. Words just can't do it all justice.

 

[Powderhorn09]

Wow! My chin is getting in the way while I type! Absolutely beautiful craftsmanship and detail. You sir are a true artist!

 

[Crewdawg445]

:surrender: Unbelievable... I can't help but imagine the items you mentioned in the earlier stages of your builds you'd like to have done differently... must have been just as incredible! Your attention to detail blows me away, I'm extremely anal with the details and this hobby as a whole... Looking upon your work certainly inspires me to work harder... even when I think I'm doing just fine! Beautiful, absolutely beautiful!

 

[Jim C]

Absolutely beautiful Dave, with nary a single flaw. I particularly enjoyed the part about the sights, very original! You are truly a master craftsman, and your work is a true work of art.

 

[davec2]

Breech decoration and gold makers mark completed

Finished the barrel on the rifle (as much as I intend to).......

 

[hanshi]

Gosh! What beautiful work.