Rifle #3....Unfinished

[davec2]

A while back I posted pictures of the second rifle I had finished recently and I asked for critiques.  I learned several important lessons, but the first two stand out immediately.  First, in the process of posting the digital pictures of that rifle, I saw a series of errors that, for whatever reason, I had not seen holding the rifle in my hands.  (Not sure why, but the pictures seem to show more "truth" in this case).  Second, I could not implement several of the excellent critiques I received from others because the rifle was already finished.

So this time I thought I would do two things.  Number 1, take pictures along the way and look at them carefully to spot things I did not like early enough to possibly do something about any problems that became apparent.  Number 2, post those pictures and ask for critiques early enough to possibly do something about any problems that others point out.

So here goes.......50 Cal, 42 inch Rice swamped barrel, Chambers English round face lock, walnut stock, brass hardware, barrel keys.....Looking for any and all critiques about what is right, wrong, or indifferent...architecture, engraving, assembly,....anything.....  Also looking for suggestions about carving, patch box design, sights, etc., etc.......

Thanks in advance for any comments and help......

 

[galamb]

Keep practicing Dave, your work is starting to look like a rifle :rotf:


Truly outstanding. If I could engrave like that I wouldn't even build rifles - would have metal work backed up for years..

 

[wattlebuster]

I cant find anything to critique :idunno: Looks great to me

 

[thatoneguy82]

+1 on the truth of photos vs in hand, I have experienced the same thing building a hardware store grade rifle. Your work is outstanding, could you post some progression pics of your engraving process?

 

[Birddog6]

The only issue I see it the stock has grain runout at the wrist. I don't understand why you would do all of this 1st class work
on a 4th class piece of wood. :idunno: Your work deserves much better than this....

Man.... you do some Awesome... engraving.

Keith Lisle

 

[DanChamberlain]

There appears to be a crack in your floor.

 

[kaintuck]

There appears to be a crack in your floor.

It's California....... :surrender:

Dave, ask dunlaps woods for a red maple #8 blank, start over, bill it to me, send me this current one.
We'll call it even...... :rotf:
Marc un tomtom

 

[sb 54 cal.]

Outstanding work if only I had half the skill to do that work. Only thing wrong is the lock is on the wrong side :haha:
Pappy

 

[davec2]

Birddog6,

Actually, you're not the first to mention the grain direction through the wrist as a potential problem.  This piece of walnut is some of the most dense I have ever used so, except for the run out direction through the wrist, it is really an excellent piece.  So rather than wait until the wrist broke one day and then try to fix it, I thought I would be pro-active and fix it before it broke.

I routed out a deep groove 3/8 inch wide and 1.25 inches tall through the entire wrist area excavating the existing inletting for the trigger, trigger plate, and rear of the trigger guard.

I then cut a straight grain splint out of a scrap of the same stock blank and cut some narrow grooves in it to allow me to squeeze the epoxy out around the splint and get it fully seated in its groove.

One last full check fit before the epoxy was mixed.

Splint epoxied in place....

After a day of curing, the trigger, trigger plate and rear of the trigger guard were re-inletted back where they came from.

If the stock breaks at the wrist after this, I'll make a new stock.

 

[19283]

Truly, truly remarkable! :bow:

How does one even begin to learn how to engrave like that?

I'd be happy if I could engrave my initials on the barrel....

 

[Col. Batguano]

This one is more baroque (call it baroque-light) than the first two, and begs for a fairly symetrical sort of carving ( or inlaya) around the tang and butt. The incises near the belly seem a bit high off the flat. Maybe it's the camera angle. Or, maybe you could sculpt the wood a bit? It sort of looks like you're planning a raised rib rather than incised lines near the belly. True? Are you planning on an elaborate / finely detailed engraving of the tang and breach area? Raised or incise carving? Wire anywhere? with what's going on with the entry pipe tail it certainly doesn't need anything on the flats, so it was a nice call to leave it alone.

GREAT pro-active fix on the wood grain runout. In fact, brilliant. The only thing stronger would have been a multi laminate made of walnut, so it would have the same expansion rate as the rest of the wood. Still, with that fix, you should have NO issues. :hatsoff:

 

[Billnpatti]

I say forget gun building. Even though you build magnificient guns, I believe your true calling is engraving. Your work is impeccable. :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[suzkat]

Dave, Your a freak! In a good way.

 

[Brokennock]

Seeing as it has such an inherent weakness, I'll pay for the parts when it's done and you can ship it o me to shoot until the wrist breaks. Lol
Seriously. Phenomenal work.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Outstanding work and what an ingenious repair!! Incredible rifle!! :hatsoff:

 

[Snakebite]

With a little practice you might get that engraving down. :wink:

With work like that, you don't need any suggestions, just do your thing with the carving. If it's half as nice as your engraving you've got a beautiful rifle.

Tell ya what, I'll give ya fifty bucks for it right now!!

Sweet gun.

 

[SR James]

I can't believe all of the so called experts on this forum have failed to point out a glaringly obvious fault...there is no ramrod!!! Since it is worthless without a ramrod, Dave should set this rifle out with the trash in front of his house right after he sends me his address.
Truly amazing work.

 

[MSW]

tremendous!

downright intimidating!

double :hatsoff:

 

[b737tvc]

Are those also chambers lock screws? Also, if anyone can help me but how the h### do you post photos I can't seem to get it to work....ug!

Beaver T

 

[coloradoclyde]

Seriously!.....I think I just wet myself.
:grin:
looks great! now box it up and send it to me.