Wanna be builder

[Kevin M]

Sorry to pull you away from your projects, but I had a couple of questions. First I have the first Rifles of Colonial America book. The descriptions on the barrels are minimal. It says octagonal barrel on one. What I want to know is if its tapered or if its swamped etc. Am I missing something?
Second question. I have put together a couple of kit guns. Lyman GPR. A Deer Creek Tower pistol. My wife got me a Lehigh Valley kit from Pecatonica River. I am currently working on putting that together. My question is what should my next step be. Should I jump to a more difficult kit? I know I am not ready to go to a hunk of wood with the barrel inlet in it. I am in Utah and don't have access to handle a lot of longrifles. I would not want to try and shape one without having another one to copy. I have the tools I need, but I don't want to waste money ruining stocks or heading in the wrong direction and learning bad habits. What would your advice be?
Ok that was more than a couple of questions. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[LRB]

American Pioneer Video, has a two tape set of modern long rifles and a few Jaegers. The tapes go over each gun very slowly and pointing out the main features of each. All the guns in the tapes were made by makers of high respect. These can be very helpful in showing variations from different types, and they are just great to to sit and watch. Really good close ups.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Nearly every rifle in shumway's book has a swamped barrel.
Where you should go next with your building experience is up to you. Some people stay right where they feel comfortable and others are always ready for the next challenge to thier skill level.

 

[Kevin M]

Well I guess I need to get a builder to make me a style of rifle that I am interested in. Make sure it has all the frills and whistles on it. Then I can start making copies of it. Use calipers to get everything the same size etc. I can get a few cheap peices of maple and stock the same barrel and lock a few times until I am not ashamed to take it out into public. Once I am to that point I can branch out a bit.

 

[54JNoll]

There are a number of good videos out. You might also want to get the 5 tape seried entitled "The Gunsmith of Greenville County" by Peter Alexander. He takes you through building from a blank to include scratch building most of the hardware.

 

[Zonie]

Track of the Wolf, Muzzleloader Builders Supply and Dixie Gunworks all sell rifle plans.
These are full size drawings so you can measure sizes and locations of features.
The plans show crossections thru the butt and forestock so getting the shape and sizes correct is fairly easy.

The plans available do not cover all of the guns that exist but they may have something that interests you.
For example in an old MBS catalog Susie lists:
Pre-Revolutionary rifle
Davy Crockett rifle
Jacob Dickert rifle
German Flintlock rifle
German Jaeger Flintlock rifle
Tennessee rifle
Edward Marshall rifle
Hawken Full stock rifle
Hawken Half stock rifle

TOTW adds
English Sporting rifle
Purdey Rifle
H.E. Leman rifle
Bedford rifle
Tulle :fusil de chasse
North West Trade Musket
Brown Bess,
U.S. 1803 Harpers Ferry

I have used some of these plans even when I have "pre-carved" rifles because the pre-carved stock usually have excess wood everywhere.
Prices range from $5 to $15.

 

[Kevin M]

I have the book Gunsmith of Grenville county. I should get the videos. I never thought of buying the rifle blueprints or plans. That is a good idea also. Thanks! This is great!

 

[Kevin M]

I can't seem to find the The Gunsmith of Greenville County" by Peter Alexander gunmaking movies that were mentioned above. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[patch knife]

I can't seem to find the The Gunsmith of Greenville County" by Peter Alexander gunmaking movies that were mentioned above. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Have you tried Track of the Wolf ? I know they have the book .

 

[Kevin M]

I could not find it on Track.

 

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