Sparrow Pistol- a challenge awaits

[PathfinderNC]

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.

This is my second pistol kit (both from MBS). The other one is a French Model 1733 Dragoon (Horse Pistol).

 

[PathfinderNC]

So I went to the bench this morning just to put in the steel screw (removing the temp brass one) from the cap. After that was done I somehow decided to fuss around a bit with the lock and it's semi- fitting pre-inlet mortise. Well, another three hours flew on by and it's in. Unanticipated time well spent

 

[colimr]

What is you plan for the finish a stain and hand rub? That is going to be a show piece

 

[PathfinderNC]

What is you plan for the finish a stain and hand rub? That is going to be a show piece

I am not sure just yet!

 

[PathfinderNC]

I got the lock drilled and tapped for the bolts and did some modifications on the side plate so it fit the panel area a bit better (I think).
Next thing to do is inlet it almost flush.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Today I inlet the sideplate. As I expected, I needed to remove all the wood inside the outside edges of the plate shape first. Next, I carved small pieces of Walnut and glued them into the mortise to fill the small plate piercings.
I have a bit of filling to do still, but that will be later.

 

[PathfinderNC]

The "Sparrow" pistol is starting to take shape. I inlet the trigger assembly this morning. For a guide, I used a Kibler rifle to give me a good distance from the trigger pivot pin to the sear bar, which is 1/2". The trigger pull is nice and light.
Then this afternoon I worked on the barrel, starting with the breech plug. The tang was long so I cut off about 3/4" and needed to just slightly cold-bend it, as the wrist on this gun is quite straight. It sits nicely and the touch hole/pan lines-up to where I want it.
Tomorrow I will install the tang screw, lug and pins, rough shape the stock and maybe begin installing the cast brass ramrod pipes. I might trim the stock some and move the entry-pipe back a bit further, not sure yet.

 

[SOLANCO]

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

Agreed. But you can also screw something up with a Dremel much faster than with hand tools.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I had a great eight-hour day at the workbench and got the ramrod pipes in. The stock also got some shaping, with much more to come. I have a thumb piece that I hoped to put on this pistol but it's too large and won't fit. Hope I can find a nice pistol-size one.

 

[TDM]

It looks very good. Nice work!

 

[Birddog1911]

Man, wish I had the time to sit at my bench and make that much progress on my build. This is really looking good.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Yesterday I worked on the trigger guard and then shaped the fore-stock, adding some molding at the front of the lockplate. Today I got back for a few hours and worked on the barrel a but and also started some carving around the tang. It still needs to be cleaned-up a bit. After getting the carving started I was able to start thinning out the wrist as well, and it is taking on a very nice, slim and graceful shape.
Next I can start working on the rest of the lock and sideplate moldings.

 

[TDM]

Your carving turned out very nice!

 

[colimr]

Of all the posts on this site watching your progress is the most enjoyable like a series you can't wait for the next episode. Keep up the good work !

 

[PathfinderNC]

Your carving turned out very nice!

Thanks/ I need to do some needle file work on it yet.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Of all the posts on this site watching your progress is the most enjoyable like a series you can't wait for the next episode. Keep up the good work !

Wow thanks colimr I am really glad that you are enjoying these little updates! I wanted to include more pics but I always forget to take photos as I work !

 

[sheriff john]

Thanks for posting. Really good photos, too. If I may ask without being offensive, what does one of these cost for a kit? Yours has superb, graceful lines - far better than most. Thanks again.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Thanks for posting. Really good photos, too. If I may ask without being offensive, what does one of these cost for a kit? Yours has superb, graceful lines - far better than most. Thanks again.

Thanks! The kit runs about $700, which included shipping and for Ryan soldering on the front sight and forward barrel lug for me.

 

[colimr]

Pathfinder may I ask, does your skill as an artist influence what you have been doing during this build ? You seem to approach each step in a more creative thought planned manner more then a average builder .When I build I concentrate on function and dependability my builds look off the shelf but yours I would give my eye teeth to own

 

[Relic shooter]

I had a great eight-hour day at the workbench and got the ramrod pipes in. The stock also got some shaping, with much more to come. I have a thumb piece that I hoped to put on this pistol but it's too large and won't fit. Hope I can find a nice pistol-size one.

Consider using the handle off a fancy solid silver antique silver tea spoon, this is what I used for thumbpieces' back when I was building. Sometimes the spoon-end would serve as a nice butt cap. A good selection was usually available at antique shops, this was before the internet & ebay.
relicshooter