Next build, early gun questions?

[Tommy Bruce]

Hey guys after much fidgeting over whether to have a rifle built for me or try my hand at no. 2 I have decided to get started. While the first one I finished from scratch will win no prizes I was encouraged enough to try it again. I would like to build an early gun similer to the Edward Marshall rifle but a little different. I have both of Mr. Shumway's books and am still undecided. I have a "c" weight 42" .54 rice barrel and a good hard piece of sugar maple. I like the lines of the Marshall rifle but would like to do one with a little less carving, a single trigger and obviously a longer barrel. Does anyone have any pictures or advise on what to study before I begin my undertaking. I've been looking at Track's trigger guards and butt plates but am still undecided. I'm thinking of going with a Davis early american lock as I put one in my first rifle and have had good luck with it. I have a good friend who will be mentoring me through this one as well. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[rich pierce]

I love the Christians Spring guns myself. A C weight is going to be handy. I generally use a D but this will be lighter and with a longer barrel will balance well.

On the Christians Spring styled peice below, which was started long ago when lock styles were limited, I used the Tulle Davis lock and modified it some. It's nice and early but not quite as snappy as some. I am going to use the Chambers early Germanic on my next one. It's a big strong and fast lock.

I use Reeves Goehring guards and buttplates almost exclusively when I don't form my own. You might try a more standard "Large Dickert" buttplate about 5" tall and 2+" wide. I made the one in the gun below from thick brass plate. For the guard, Reeves and others have a nice "double spur" guard with a rail that stands well off the wrist. That's what I used below. Shoot me a message or email if you want as I could go on about those guns all day.

 

[MSW]

rich- that's a really nice looking rifle... now i gotta wipe the drool marks off my keyboard again..

 

[rich pierce]

Thanks, this was my re-initiation gun. I built guns regularly between 1977 and 1987 or so, then career stuff took over. This is the first one of my "second wind". It's not the best for offhand target shooting, but for hunting in rough country, it's the right combination of weight and balance to carry, then shoot. Early guns with modest drop, wide buttplates and swamped barrels sure are easy to shoot.

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Thanks for the information Rich. By the way that is one fine looking rifle. I think I remember you posting it before. I will be in touch as soon as I get a little more time to play on the computer.

 

[aragorn]

Beautiful rifle - I especially like the carving behind the cheekpiece. Is that your design or copied?