Sparrow Pistol- a challenge awaits

[PathfinderNC]

The "Sparrow" pistol kit from MBS arrived today. Everything looks good and like a straight-forwards kit build... Except for one little thing.. the Butt Cap!
I am imagining how I will go about installing this diabolically grinning butt-head. I know in-letting it will be painstaking and that's ok. But that casting stem sticking up out of the bowl needs to go (these caps are screw-attached with one passing through the mask's mouth into the stock) and I have no idea how to do it. I imaging cutting as much as I can get to with a small hack saw and then using a small ball grinder perhaps? I'm just guessing here.
If anyone has done one of these could you give some hints as to how the best way to approach it would be?
Muchly appreciated,
Bob

 

[Colonial Boy]

Diabolical !!
l suggest that you hold the stem firmly and drill down through the center then cut it off using a riffler file.
Or are you lucky and the stem is directly behind the mouth screw hole position?

 

[PathfinderNC]

Diabolical !!
l suggest that you hold the stem firmly and drill down through the center then cut it off using a riffler file.
Or are you lucky and the stem is directly behind the mouth screw hole position?

Diabolical indeed! The stem unfortunately isn’t near the location for the screw hole. Not sure about the drilling idea… but we’ll see…

 

[bud in pa]

How about a Dremel with either a cutoff disc or a small circular saw blade? If you look at the hobby shops there are all kinds of shapes of cutters & grinders for the Dremel.

 

[colimr]

As Bud said a Dremel with a cutoff disc .Purchase a kit with a adjustable speeds that is one tool you will never regret buying the two size sanding drums are handy for the hard to reach curves and there are a bunch of attachments like a router base and a mini drill press stand available as well as numerous bits wood and metal and polishing wheels to polish that brass

 

[PathfinderNC]

As Bud said a Dremel with a cutoff disc .Purchase a kit with a adjustable speeds that is one tool you will never regret buying the two size sanding drums are handy for the hard to reach curves and there are a bunch of attachments like a router base and a mini drill press stand available as well as numerous bits wood and metal and polishing wheels to polish that brass

Yup, been using one for over twenty five years or so

 

[billraby]

This will do it

https://www.riogrande.com/product/rio-high-speed-steel-round-burs/345526GP/?code=345534

 

[PathfinderNC]

This will do it

https://www.riogrande.com/product/rio-high-speed-steel-round-burs/345526GP/?code=345534

Thanks Bill. I experimented and just used a Dremel metal grinding tool and it took about 20 minutes to get the post off and ground flush. I then cleaned and beveled the edges and got the screw hole situated. I think I have it about ready to go on to the next steps

 

[edrutecki]

I believe this was the original gun bought for the movie. They refer to it as the "Perry London" pistol. I wanted this pistol in the worst way many many years ago, but came to the conclusion that I had no skill to actually build one. Going from memory, the original pistol was purchased from a New England gun shop by the producer. The original was given to a well known builder (Kennedy???? maybe) who built 2 or 3 copies for the actual movie. There were also a couple hard rubber stunt guns made. Anyway, the builder either shared an extra copy he made for himself or detailed notes with someone who tracked him down. That person made up kits for the pistol. I remember seeing the kits at Dixon's Gunmakers Fair. I even took his buisness card that I might actually still have, but I think he is no longer in business. MBS is the only one who makes this that I know of although one could source out individual parts. There was also a plastic exact replica that I think they made a limited amount of. It came in a wall hanger case and was supposed to be cast off of the original.

I'm super excited to see one being built!

I wish you the best of luck in completing it!!!!!!

Ed

 

[Birddog1911]

Look forward to watching the progress on this.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I believe this was the original gun bought for the movie. They refer to it as the "Perry London" pistol. I wanted this pistol in the worst way many many years ago, but came to the conclusion that I had no skill to actually build one. Going from memory, the original pistol was purchased from a New England gun shop by the producer. The original was given to a well known builder (Kennedy???? maybe) who built 2 or 3 copies for the actual movie. There were also a couple hard rubber stunt guns made. Anyway, the builder either shared an extra copy he made for himself or detailed notes with someone who tracked him down. That person made up kits for the pistol. I remember seeing the kits at Dixon's Gunmakers Fair. I even took his buisness card that I might actually still have, but I think he is no longer in business. MBS is the only one who makes this that I know of although one could source out individual parts. There was also a plastic exact replica that I think they made a limited amount of. It came in a wall hanger case and was supposed to be cast off of the original.

I'm super excited to see one being built!

I wish you the best of luck in completing it!!!!!!

Ed

Thanks for that information Ed! I hadn’t known that much except that the original was used and.fired on the set. It was a Perry as you said. There were copies also made for props but didn’t know much about them.
It’s a handsome looking pistol and I hope I don’t screw this up

 

[sheriff john]

Swell looking pistol . What's "MBS" ?

 

[edrutecki]

Swell looking pistol . What's "MBS" ?

Muzzleloader Builders' Supply

 

[PathfinderNC]

Looked for any tutorials on in-letting this type of butt cap. Narry a one to be found. So I am planning to begin with the back strap and start inletting it upwards.
I know this step in the build should not be done first, but I am thinking that if I do it later on in the build and screw it up (which is a good possibility), then all my previous work will have been in vain. So I will begin here, installing the butt cap.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

That should be a fun build. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[billraby]

All that is left is to get rid of the Dremel and replace it with one of the flex shaft tools.

 

[beardedhorse]

I used to teach bronze casting at the local university. Looks like you got it solved. Lots of prussian blue or inletting black and if you draft or bevel the inside of the butt cap you can "ease it in" on the inletting. A Foredom flex shaft is costly but works well. A friend bought a used dentist's drill and uses it in place of a Dremel. Keep us posted on the pistol's progress.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Hi folks- a brief update on the Sparrow pistol:
I spent the day working on the butt cap. It's not fun but it's a challenge and learning opportunity. After about eight hours I got the cap on about as well as I can, going at it without any guidance or tutorial. With a bit more work I can get some of those gaps closed I think. Some more wood has to come off the back hump above the cap, but I do like the sleekness of this pistol. Here are a few pics of today's work:

 

[sheriff john]

Have you done this before? Swell looking kit, please keep us posted on what you do. My projects have stayed "projects", but this one's really nice.

 

[colimr]

very nice job your doing great !