Pecatonica NW Trade Gun Build Help

[8541ss]

This is my first gun to build. I have a Pecatonica NW Trade Gun 20 Gauge. Supposedly it is an easier build but not Kibler easy. I am looking for tips, links, and videos to figure out how to get this build put together. I have searched without success so far as to how to put this gun together. I need kindergarten details. All know is to take my time. Thanks in advance!

 

[beagle74]

You may want to get a gun building resource. "Recreating the American Longifle" has a ton of information in it.

 

[tenngun]

Subscribe to Rumble and look up the gun building videos by Bill Raby.

 

[Bnewberry]

I am not the expert but I can share what I have learned so far working with a Petaconica build.

1. Check the ramrod hole, make sure it is centered and drilled full depth. You will need to sand the ramrod to a smaller diameter to fit.
2. Finish inletting the barrel and tang.
3. Finish inletting the lock, make sure the touch hole location and pan are where you need them to be.

That is all I can offer so far!

 

[ronaldrothb49]

Not necessarily a trad gun but they all go together the same way

 

[Rob M.]

Start with your barrel ...its first nothing else !! Get the breech plug out and start bedding that barrel to finish ... Inlet black needed . Stock in vice and keep painting that barrel black , with wood tap that barrel down and back to breech , tap at muzzle .Keep going until there is no gap at the breech and the e barrel is down to finish . The breech is even with wood at breech and muzzle is down to bed . Try to make sure there is a gap between the barrel and ramrod hole at least 3/16 , esp. if your going to have a front lock bolt ... It goes through there ... Longest pert of a build ... Once thats done you put the breech plug in ... Inlet black the plug and tang ...mark the B.P..bolster and you can chisel it down with out much problem ....then ,barrel inn, trace the tang on wood when it sits down flat on wood ... Chisel and bed that tang down , youll probable have to ben d the tang a bit a few times ....beds it down , blacken it and remains ve he black spots until.the barrel is back to bed and the tang is down .... You can file tang down a bit but not a big amount , most needs to be kept in there ... Stay inside your lines when inletting straight down with your chisels ...nwant as little to.no gap as possible ....keep.tapping barrel back during the process .... Holler when all that is done ....take year time .... Get Hershel Houses VDO d n making a Kentucky rifle, get it at Library so you dont have to buy it ....its great , helped me bunches when first starting out .... Best of luck.

 

[8541ss]

Subscribe to Rumble and look up the gun building videos by Bill Raby.

Tallpine recommended rumble yesterday. He lives nearby

 

[deerstalkert]

before you do the excellent advice above, make sure your chisels and gouges are scary sharp.
SHARP tools take half the effort out of the build. i try to get my chisels sharp enough to shave a 12 inch translucent curl.
Oh yeah also needed is a box of bandaids

 

[tenngun]

 

[deerstalkert]

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OMG! a dremel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! guess where you are going when you die!

 

[tenngun]

OMG! a dremel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! guess where you are going when you die!

Mia culpa Mia culpa!
But in my defense it wasn’t used to fit any part
I cut notches where the pins went through way above the shape. Then used it to touch up my chisels , and cut my pins to over length but close

 

[TDM]

You might find the thread I did on my Clay Smith build helpful.
Thread 'Clay Smith Trade Gun Build'
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/clay-smith-trade-gun-build.161222/

 

[waksupi]

Uh...the butt plates should be attached with square nails.

 

[Reno]

Great advice and pictures here so far. Yes start by in letting the breech plug and tang snd the barrel first. Don’t hammer anything in.
I use a candle instead of inletting ink. Just light the candle get some black soot on the parts. Then place the parts where they should go and remove the black spots left.
Good advice on sanding the ramrod. You will need to do this.
Enjoy your build. Be patient. If you need to step away then step away.

 

[Arrow139]

Uh...the butt plates should be attached with square nails.

Not always, many originals found with screws in buttplate. That is a personal choice now, and by the gun maker contracts back then.

 

[mikesto44]

When your in letting the barrel. You have to pull the barrel straight up out of the stock. Otherwise you get a false reading mark at the breech with your in letting black.
Also while in letting the barrel. Make sure you keep the pan of the lock in relationship to the end of the breach plug.
Pay attention to what Rob tells you. All he builds is trade guns. But the bad thing is once you build one you can't stop. Lol

 

[tenngun]

Uh...the butt plates should be attached with square nails.

On about 70%.
Dutch and American made knockoffs tended to screws, even some of the English made had screws thus nails were the norm

 

[mikesto44]

The nail issue is more based on the time period and which maker you are copying. This is what I have found out doing research.

 

[Rob M.]

Late t

Not always, many originals found with screws in buttplate. That is a personal choice now, and by the gun maker contracts back then.

Late trade guns started using screws when screws became more common place and much cheaper ....

 

[Clark Badgett]

Late t
Late trade guns started using screws when screws became more common place and much cheaper ....

Even that doesn’t seem to be a hard, fast rule. But yes, nails were more common earlier.