NMLRA Gunsmithing Seminar - Trade Gun Class and my "Type G " pics

[gonzomann]

I have been back home from the class for a couple of weeks but I'm just getting around to posting. I just want to say outright that the class was WELL WORTH the time and money invested, it exceeded my expectations for sure. Jack Brooks was the instructor of the Trade Gun Class, he is a top notch instructor as well as a fantastic artisan. From what I could see of the other classes offered, all the other instructors were "Grade A" as well. The guys in my class were a terrific and talented bunch and it was a fun and rewarding experience working and learning with them!

My project was a Type "G" English trade gun, based on a surviving Wilson gun. The gun was started from a blank and all components besides the barrel and lock will be hand made. The barrel is a 46" Getz .62 cal smooth and the lock is R.E. Davis. I didn't have time to finish the gun in class, but the hard part is done. The barrel and lock is inlet, ramrod groove cut and hole drilled, thimbles made and the stock is rough shaped.

I have struggled with forming and shaping lock panels on both my previous guns. I guess all I can say is - Now I understand! It is amazing what some hands on training can do!

Here are a few pictures of my project in the works:

Working on barrel channel:

Barrel underlugs:

Formed Thimbles:

Cutting ramrod groove. Ever use the stock blank cutoff for a mallet?

Lock plate inlet:

Shaping stock:

Getting closer:

Class is over!

I will post more pics when I get the trade gun finished. Thanks for looking.
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Curtis Allinson

 

[shortbow]

Looking great! :thumbsup:

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

That looks great! Any chance of more pictures of the forearm and ramrod channel? How did you form the ramrod pipes on the blocks in the picture? :thumbsup:

 

[gonzomann]

Thanks guys!

Double Deuce - Here is a pic where you can kinda see the ramrod channel and forearm... I will try and take some better pics of those areas for you when I post an update.

The ramrod pipes were made by first cutting sheet brass to size and annealing it. The brass rectangle was placed on in the dies with the tab material hanging over the appropriate edges, then the "sandwich" was placed in a vice and pressed together - I stuck half of the sandwich in the vice, cranked it down tight, flipped it over and repeated. Then place it on an anvil and hit it a few times with a big hammer for good measure while trying to keep your fingers out of the way. Bend the tabs 90 degrees and take the brass out of the dies, bend it around a mandrel (or 3/8 drill bit) in a vice like you would making a standard thimble. The dies were hand filed to contour from mild steel stock by Jack Brooks, patterned to match an original Type G thimble. He said it took him an hour or two to file up the dies if I recall correctly. Around .010 - .015 brass is appropriate for the type G thimbles, the originals were fairly thin.
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Curtis Allinson

 

[matt denison]

In the fifth picture from the bottom shows the forearm. It looks like you cut slots crosswise. Can you explain that?

It must have been great working with Mr. Jack Brooks.

Matt

 

[Roy]

:thumbsup: Good stuff

 

[gonzomann]

In the fifth picture from the bottom shows the forearm. It looks like you cut slots crosswise. Can you explain that?

It must have been great working with Mr. Jack Brooks.

Matt

Matt, the explanation is simple - Optical Illusion! Those "slots" are actually my extra long barrel pins sticking up. I left them long so I could easily grab them with pliers to pull them out. If they get in the way I drive them down till they are sticking out the other side.

Working with Jack Brooks was indeed great. He is very down to earth, extremely knowledgeable as well as talented, and has the patience of a saint. And a sense of humor to boot!

 

[rabjr]

Looks like you got the makings of a winner there Curtis, nice job! :thumbsup:

 

[gonzomann]

:thumbsup: Good stuff

Thank you, Roy!

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Very nice work you lucky devil. I have been trying to get there for a few years now.

Jack is a super guy.

 

[matt denison]

Optical Illusion

Doh, now I see. (forehead slap)

I get my new glasses on Monday, maybe that will help.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[gonzomann]

Thanks Swampy! Cap Jas, you should plan on being there next year. Jack is a super guy and you would enjoy learning from him I'm certain.

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Thanks for sharing your building experience. Looks like you are going to have a fine gun!! Great job on the build.

 

[gonzomann]

Thanks for the good words, Tommy. It's good to hear you appreciated seeing the posting... hopefully it will help some folks who are sittin' on the fence wondering if they should try to build a gun to decide to go for it!