Want to try a swamped barrel stock

[John D. Dennison]

Have spoken to Tip and plan to visit his place before making any decisions. Thanks for the advice.

 

[jdkerstetter]

I'm not offended. As I said, to each his own. We all do this for different reasons with different levels of expectation.

If you are an engineer and want to use CAD to design a gun, fine with me. That might be fun for you. For me it would add a an unecessary step to the process....I wouldn't find it relaxing, but then again, I don't find a set of plans all that helpful in building a longrifle.

I pick a barrel of suitable profile, a lock that complements the school and lay it out on the wood.

There's a rifle in there.......let it out. :thumbsup: Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Robby]

:hatsoff:
Robby

 

[kaintuck]

I think I like building guns because I get to buy more tools...... :youcrazy: :shocked2:

 

[DUSTY 14]

if Tip enjoys beer show up about 5 with a six pack of good beer. if not bring cinnamon rolls early. then go to the rondy and ask LOTS of stupid ?. you will learn o much in such a short time. then ask the build ? all over again. never learn it all or even a little. but that is part of the fun to me

 

[John D. Dennison]

I am so new at this that I really have no idea what or how I will eventually proceed. I always listen to every opinion then being stubborn, usually do the wrong thing.

Based on every one's good advice my current thinking is to visit Tip, choose a rifle, buy a quality set of the historically correct hardware, and a good quality blank stock. Then everyone will have to wait and see how many blank stocks will be needed before a rifle escapes from my latest addiction.

Thanks again, will be back in touch after seeing Tip sometime late next week.

 

[54ball]

I'm going to be more diplomatic when it comes to the cad stuff. I'll try to explain it.

To actually cybernize a true representation of a longrifle may actually be harder than just building one by hand.

Imagine trying to cad the Mona Lisa with the texture of every brush stroke or Micheal Angelo's David with every chisel mark and no images to go by other than a 2D picture.

What about a complete and working computer model of Flathead V8 with just basic images and measurements from scratch. The data to enter in the system would be astounding and may or may not be an accurate representation of the real thing.

What plans offer on the other hand is good reference material. Most show trigger layouts and cross sections of originals.

When studying these plans one needs to imagine how these shapes were accomplished by hand and by the tools used. These tools include files, rasps, chisels, gouges and scrapers.

When studying a rifle in hand even one that is factory built, imagine how one could arrive at that shape by hand.

Practice on pine or other cheap wood.
Put new handle in a shovel using hand tools, no kidding.
Get the feel.
Study study study.

If you have a particular interest in a certain type of rifle study every detail of it.

Research gun building and study tutorials.

It's kind of like restoring a car. If you want to build a 57 Chevy study it and find one. Do not waste your time with a 76 Pinto just the gain experience.
If you do, in the back of your head the specter of "it's just a Pinto" will haunt you and could eventually show in your work.

If you want a Soddy Daisy Tennessee percussion by golly study it and build it. I know I said that flintlocks were easier they are, but none of this stuff is "easy". If it were everyone would have a GOOD full house longrifle.
So if your willing to put the time into learning the craft by golly build what you want.

Lastly with building these rifles or guns, do not be distracted by fancy inlays and decoration.

Before you start, lean what the following term really means in the construction of a longrifle. If you do you can tell whether one is a silk purse or sows ear whether a year old or 200 years old.

Architecture!
Architecture!
Architecture!

 

[John D. Dennison]

I know where you are coming from. I am currently in Asheville NC and plan to visit Jim chambers for a look see. First of next week, A visit to Tip Curtis for a little more look see.

When I have decided on a rifle to duplicate, I plan to order the most appropriate hardware from Jim or David Keck at Knob Mountain. I have read the "Gunsmith of Grenville Valley" and completely understand the effort needed to accomplish the woodworking aspects of this effort. That is the appeal for me. I plan to buy a stock blank and work up the the stock from scratch. I believe you suggested this approach and I agree after reading the literature that a preformed stock from a kit would do little for my education with my woodworking experience. Of course I would'nt want it to be to easy, so my present thinking is late Landcaster flintlock with a swamped barrel in 54 cal.

This effort will be very challenging and will provide me a great deal of headaches. But that is why I find it interesting. I never gave much thought to making a gun stock before, just cut it and shape it. Therefore it never appealed to me. Now that I am just slightly smarter, I believe that I might be able to learn enough to combine the metal working, enlay, and carving skills needed to make a rifle. Just maybe.

The jury is out, but I am persistant. If need be, I can start over using the same hardware, and will buy as many blanks as needed to get there.

Thanks again for your advice, I am sure that I will need further help in the future.