New Winter Project

[Tom A Hawk]

I received a nicely figured Tennessee stock and the back ordered Deluxe Siler in the mail today. The stock looks great and I can find no significant imperfections. I think Pecatonica may be my go to source for stocks going forward. The .50 barrel arrived about two weeks ago and will start fitting now. Have put some of the other components on a list for Santa.

 

[Cody1776]

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Here are the parts to start with. I can't wait to see this stock after aqua fortis and finish.

 

[SingleMalt]

Have two rifles with deluxe silers on them and two with late kentlands on them, the kentlands win hands down on speed.

I can't say for sure the P place profiled the kit stock, only TOW and the P place know for sure.

Somewhere in the cobwebs of my mind, I remember hearing that most precarved stocks are done by the same person.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Have been making good progress on the above winter project. The barrel, tang, lock, triggers and guard have been fitted. The lock, triggers, guard and respective mounting screws have been browned. Having just finished draw filing the barrel I have renewed appreciation for the effort of the old time gunsmiths in filing a swamped barrel. Its hard to imagine the number of hours that must have been required. I have seen some references indicating the possible use of a draw shave.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Everything has been fitted now and the stock shaping and sanding completed. Thinking to whisker and apply the aqua fortis today as I'm anxious to see the curl. Still waiting for the second .40 cal barrel from Colerain though. They must be very busy as its been on order for a couple of months.

 

[Erwan]

That's a good and nice job, I can almost do what I want with steel or iron but never give me a good piece of wood except if you want make a fire in the chimney....

 

[Buckskinn]

Make sure you have it the way you want it prior to aqua fortis… I thought I did that on my first rifle and after studying it when done I found several areas that needed attention. Mostly more wood that needed to come off... The rifle that I'm working on now I am going to get it to where I think I want it, post a bunch of pictures for critique, fix, get ready to stain and then put it away for a few days and look it over again.

 

[M. De Land]

A new build project for the cold winter months ahead is underway. For some time now I have been eyeing the Tennessee Classic style as potential candidate.

View attachment 19027

I find the lines rather pleasing but have been undecided on caliber. I have several 50's and .54's and a new rifle in .40 sounded rather appealing as I don't have one. However, a .40 would limit use to small game and targets and I enjoy deer hunting with these guns. What to do....After thoughtful consideration I have settled on a plan and started to order parts.

The new gun will have interchangeable 7/8" Colerain barrels, 36" long in both .40 and .50. a grade #4 maple stock from Pecatonica and a Deluxe Chambers Siler lock. If all goes as planned I should end up with a nimble, light weight hunter. for deer and a pleasant to shoot forty for fun. I will post pics from time to time as things progress.

I just finished a kit identical to it. I chose the .45 caliber 36 inch barrel because it does better with wind drift than the .40 and shoots just as fast plus the ball weight goes up to about 130 grains which is a better deer killer and not overly large for squirrel.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

I agree with your thoughts on the .40 which is why the second barrel for this gun is a .50. I can use the .40 for small game and tin cans and the .50 for deer.

The stock is looking pretty good after blushing.

 

[M. De Land]

Here are the parts to start with. I can't wait to see this stock after aqua fortis and finish.
View attachment 19323

Nice wood and a good job of fitting!

 

[longcruise]

I just finished a kit identical to it. I chose the .45 caliber 36 inch barrel because it does better with wind drift than the .40 and shoots just as fast plus the ball weight goes up to about 130 grains which is a better deer killer and not overly large for squirrel.

Great rafting pic. Trying to figure out how it goes with the topic!

 

[Tom A Hawk]

While I still have a couple of components being browned, I couldn't resist the temptation to go out to the woods today for a test fire of the new rifle. The target below is the first three shots fired from the .50 barrel at 40 yards, off hand. With a little filing of the front sight I think everything will be delightful. I am also pleased with the ignition time of the "Deluxe Siler" lock. Photos of this newly completed Tennessee Rifle will follow once the browning process has been finished.

 

[Erwan]

Wow, you don't waste any time, your rifle is already almost finished (you work day and night ? ) and is able to shoot this very honest group at 40 yards.
The three bullets fired show the potential of this new rifle. I really hope to see it finished and on pictures...

Just to make me an idea but without wanting to be indiscreet, what can be the value of this rifle not assembled in the USA, here the only possible assemblies are made with Pedersoli kits: not so beautiful and very expensive...

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Wow, you don't waste any time, your rifle is already almost finished (you work day and night ? ) and is able to shoot this very honest group at 40 yards.
The three bullets fired show the potential of this new rifle. I really hope to see it finished and on pictures...

Just to make me an idea but without wanting to be indiscreet, what can be the value of this rifle not assembled in the USA, here the only possible assemblies are made with Pedersoli kits: not so beautiful and very expensive...

Well, I am semi retired, but most of the work has been done in the evenings. Its turning out to be my shortest assembly time to date at about 3 months. But without carvings and wire inlay its also been the easiest. Its difficult to estimate purchase value. Whatever the market will bear. Le client décidera.

 

[Buckskinn]

I think Erwin was asking how much for the kit/parts. Probably $1,200 - 1,400 for that grade of wood depending on how you acquire the parts.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

I think Erwin was asking how much for the kit/parts. Probably $1,200 - 1,400 for that grade of wood depending on how you acquire the parts.

Ahh - you may be right. https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Cate.../1/EARLY-TENNESSEE-LONGRIFLE-FLINT-PARTS-LIST

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Calling this project done for now. Still waiting on the .40 barrel but Colerain says they are drilling this week so it should be coming soon.

 

[Erwan]

Ahh - you may be right. https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Cate.../1/EARLY-TENNESSEE-LONGRIFLE-FLINT-PARTS-LIST

Hi Tom A Hawk,
Thanks for the link for TOW. I though the base of the rifle was largely more expensive for a so nice rifle, that gives a more great value to your work. I know that no one can tell a price for this marvelous rifle you did whereas with the same wood and me there would have been only shavings and finally a good fire....

Bravo monsieur, le client peut être content....

 

[Tom A Hawk]

I have been working to fit the #2 .40 caliber barrel to the already finished Tennessee rifle. Fitting two barrels to the same stock would have been a lot easier if I could have done them at the same time. However, the . 40 barrel was back ordered and slow in coming. So, now the challenge was to recreate the same tang curvature and fit to the stock in the second barrel without touching the stock. It took a bit of bending, filing and trying but we made. it.

The hardest part is done. Next comes installing the staples to fit existing keys and the vent liner and I still have to drill the tang bolt to align with the threaded hole in the trigger plate.

I have always had good success filing dove tails using a hack saw and the hardened filing guide. It does make a guys arm a bit tired though.