Wooden under rib

[coloradoclyde]

Well, I'll be dipped!!! That's a new one on me. I kind of like the look, though. :thumbsup: I wonder if I could re-fit a T/C Renegade with a wooden under rib like this? Hmmmm :hmm:

I was thinking it would be a nice way to make an additional take off barrel for a T/C

 

[Wes/Tex]

Well, I'll be dipped!!! That's a new one on me. I kind of like the look, though. :thumbsup: I wonder if I could re-fit a T/C Renegade with a wooden under rib like this? Hmmmm :hmm:

Why not...vot can it hurt? :wink: :haha: You'd be the only guy on the block! :rotf:

 

[M. De Land]

Me either Clyde! Always something new and interesting to learn on this forum.
Not sure I like it but sure is neat to learn of.

 

[Zonie]

If someone owns a Lyman GPR like mine, they could replace the steel under rib with maple and reduce the weight of their gun.

The existing steel under rib weighs about 5 ounces.
A hard maple rib the same size would weigh about 0.4 ounces.

Doesn't seem like a lot on a 9 pound rifle but remembering that this weight is all out in front of the forearm, it would definitely make the barrel seem lighter.

My GPR's under rib is held to the barrel with 3 screws and the thimbles are also held to the under rib by a screw in each one.

A nice coat or two of Walnut stain would make the rib match the stock.

Might look pretty classy and help the balance of the gun all in one fell swoop.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Sure it would shave a little weight off, but, I think wood would give the gun a much nicer feel....
I think I might try it....It should be a simple enough project...

 

[Rifleman1776]

If you have a woodworking friend I'll betcha he can make one for you in a jiffy. A couple passes on a shaper should do it just fine. As suggested, hard maple would be a good choice. I would probably use Osage Orang/b'darc. It would darken with time and be very strong.

 

[ZUG]

I think if I were to make one I'd use hickory or black locust. I got straight grain hickory no black locust on hand.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Those would be harder woods than Maple, and look more consistent with the barrel color. The Brits often used ebony when very hard or dark colors were wanted. It might be tough to find a stick of it long enough though, and ebony doesn't seem like it would be very HC for an American gun.

 

[Vaino]

A couple of yrs ago I built an S. Hawken for a customer and the 36" bbl in .54 cal. was tapered from 1" at the breech to 7/8" at the muzzle.

The only available under rib was meant for a larger, non-tapered bbl so a lot of filing had to be done to suit the tapered flat and also to make the sides of the under rib look like it wasn't modified.

A wooden rib would have accomplished 2 things.....easier filing and less muzzle weight w/ the 36" bbl. Also....the wooden under rib would have looked better. The problem was that the customer wanted a steel under rib and wouldn't change his mind.

An under rib has a light duty job and a maple under rib would last as long as the stock.....Fred

 

[rich pierce]

If anyone wants a black wooden under rib, staining with aquafortis turns cherry black.

 

[F.G. Ford]

What is the best way to attach a wooden under rib to a thin smoothbore barrel.

Denture grip! :grin: :shocked2: :rotf:
Fred

 

[Scota4570]

I have a similar project in mind that could us a wooden under rib. Attachment, tabs and pins. OK, how often, every 6", 12"? Wood will be flimsy compared to steel. Do the pipes use the same tabs as the rib?, double duty. I saw the original rifle pictures posted, neat! how many tabs were used?