AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Larry Luck on June 29, 2008, 05:44:27 PM
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This is my first attempt at incorporating design elements from a particular maker in an effort to capture the feel of that maker's carving style. The rifle is built from a Jack Garner "Late Lancaster" component set. I substituted a modified Chambers Late Ketland lock and a Reaves Goering triggerguard and fabricated the thimbles, patchbox, sideplate, and toeplate based on several Fordney rifles.
Here is my rifle, still under construction, and a photo from the KRA book, The Kentucky Rifle: a True American Heritage in Picture (2nd ed.), which I highly recommend, that inspired the design. I have not decided whether to incorporate the arcs above the principal scroll or bracketing the two terminal volutes. The wood is a little soft (not unexpected for such an attractively priced kit).
(https://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c300/leluck/DSC00513.jpg)
(https://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c300/leluck/Fordneycarving2.jpg)
Bill Shipman's exceptional "Dragon Fordney" got me interested in this maker's work.
Larry Luck
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Looks like it's coming along nicely. Your carving flows well. Your chip cut work on the butt edge is really well done.
I like the idea of creating a rifle in the style of a master's style that appeals to you. That being said, you can keep most elements you like yet not do an exact copy. I'm not sure all the parallel arcs agree with me. What other carving did Fordney use in that space ?
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I like Tom's notion. you could put a few of the parallel lines and get the feel with out doing all of them. Fordney might like it better too!! ;)
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i'd leave it as is, the beauty in your carving is the simplicity
karwelis
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That's beautiful work Larry, especially if it's a somewhat soft piece of wood. Looks like you've got a complicated long toeplate too, I'll look forward to seeing it.
I think what you have looks great, but I feel it's missing something above the main scroll. Perhaps a few parallel lines, but you wouldn't have to go all out the way the original is. Just my 2c, I wouldn't change anything about what you've already got on there. Thanks for sharing!
-Eric
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Great work Larry. I like the nick work along the buttplate.
Kevin W.
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What you've done looks really good Larry! Like some others I would tend to lean toward minimalizing anything you decide to do above the main scroll.
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Larry,
I like the look and the looks of it. Is that the rifle you checkered the wrist on? I also like the comb line coming off the but plate. Can we see more under construction pics?
Tim C.
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larry,looking good so far,i bet that is a fun project recreating such a fantastic gun.would like to see some more pics as you progress.thanks for sharing what you have so far.
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Thanks, guys.
Tim,
Yes, this is the rifle with the checkered wrist. I'll look for a couple in works photos, but I didn't take many. Thanks also for the pattern for the hunting pouch. It will be my first attempt at a double bag and I am looking forward to makeing it.
On other Fordneys, the KRA book cited in my first post has this and another and a "Dreppard" that incorporates similar elements. The KRA CD (very much worth the $15 or so price) has one, and Kindig's book has another four or so. Ron Luckenbill was kind enough to send some photos that inspired the toe plate.
Kevin,
The nick work was about the easiest part of the carving. I drew a pencil line and then used my version of "Gary's Little Stamping Tool" to stamp a fine line that I smoothed with a sharp skew chisel. (Woodcraft sells a line of Japanese "Power Grip" chisels and gouges for about $7 each. Short blades, mostly handle, but sharp.) I marked a second pencil line for the beginning of the cut. Starting around the middle, I began to make the little chip cuts with another one of those Power Grip gouges. I think it is the equivalent of a 2mm No. 9. Place the gouge on the reference line, press into the wood at a shallow angle and pop up the chip. I did most of the nicks while holding for one or the other of two Hewlett Packard tech reps. Maybe 15 minutes work.
My (wholly unsubstantiated) impression of Fordney's work is that he worked fast. The elements he uses in both his carving and engraving are relatively simple with respect to each cut or stroke and are easy to accomplish quickly. He had a gift for combining these pretty simple elements into a pleasing whole.
Larry Luck
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I'd put in those arcs. All these chips and cuts are what Fordney is all about.
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Larry,
Thanks for posting the pics. It's looking great!
kEN
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your work is amazing, and your skill certainly seems to be up to the task of cutting the arcs even in softer wood, yours looks fabulous, but i think the arcs are what makes it stand out
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Thanks to all, and particularly to Bill and Zack for encouraging me to press on. Here is an additional photo. I have some more nicks and several arcs to cut, but this is where things stand now. More Fordney in feel, I think.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi29.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc300%2Fleluck%2FDSC00514.jpg&hash=0b3dab509ae374de3a7841c985fdfe530c5471ef)
Let me know if you think I have ruined it!
Larry
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More, More, More.....Man that is looking good!
Tim C.
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Ah Larry a masterpiece in the making! I really had no idea that Fordney guns had so much chip carving. A very interesting detail. The Berry I am building has a little for accents here and there. Scarees me to death!!
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It looked great before, and I thought it was just right, but I have to say it looks even better now. Keep up the good work!
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Let me know if you think I have ruined it!
Larry
You sure didn't ruin it, that really looks nice, and more Fordney-esk.
Scott
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I like it a lot. What's the plan for above the main scroll ? You sure don't have to add anything. WWFD ( what would Fordney do ? )
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OK, guys.
This is about it for the cheek side carving until the finish goes on.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi29.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc300%2Fleluck%2FDSC00520.jpg&hash=cd96d50114ee40685c9627537d1a7b3d51775980)
Thank you all for the comments and encouragement.
Hope to see you at Dixon's.
Larry Luck
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Man, I can't believe how good that looks. A fine job. We sure would like to see the rest when it's ready. ...Geo.
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super job, and the shoes aint bad either
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Larry, its perfect! those arcs just made the rest of your carving jump out, i think it pulls you in, you should be proud, im glad you had the courage to keep going. i cant wait to see it with some finish on it, maybe you have mentioned before , but what stain are you going to use of her?
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those arcs just made the rest of your carving jump out, i think it pulls you in, you should be proud,
I couldn't agree more! It looks great Larry, thanks for sharing. Those gouge marks in the main scroll and cheek are excellent. Nice work boots too... mine are open toe flip-flops.
-Eric
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Beautiful work!
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Bill Shipman was right (no surprise there), really nice!
Scott
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Just when you think it can't get ay better....it does. Supper job Larry. I am looking forward to seeing it. Are you going to enter it?
Tim C.
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No, you didn't ruin it....you made it more better! Keep going! You are beginning to capturing the spirit of Fordney very nicely! Add the arcs above the scroll now!
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Very nice. I didn't think I would like the arc's above the scroll but I do. They look better than the original.
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Here's how the carving ended up, and a couple photos of other aspects of the rifle.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi29.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc300%2Fleluck%2FDSC00529.jpg&hash=bd08aa76e249b178c28cd1bed058fb5c2d2d2e19)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi29.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc300%2Fleluck%2FDSC00522.jpg&hash=0e29292d64aaef48486cc34d59c72d0f5eecbfea)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi29.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc300%2Fleluck%2FDSC00524.jpg&hash=e523cde023120a500c335b1dc33bc22cbedc31c1)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi29.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc300%2Fleluck%2FDSC00526.jpg&hash=dac6ae3ed8153228009e876b43ca2c44d91368c9)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi29.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc300%2Fleluck%2FDSC00525.jpg&hash=a5f676f579a0f38b95e0597b4c0f617f63ab55ee)
Hope to see lots of you at Dixon's.
Larry Luck
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OK Larry! very nice!! I think the thing that strikes me most is the architecture, especially of the wrist. I have no idea whether it is Fordney or not but it looks "right" to me....
I am sorry I won't see you at Dixon's this year......I hope you are taking this rifle to show it off!!
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wow,looks great and i bet you can breath alittle easier now....
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It's hard to beat a Fordney for that timeframe, for me- extremely well done rifle.
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still looking good! good enough that i may copy some of that on my current build.
karwelis
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Hi Larry. Thanks for posting the finished product. It looks great! I'll bet it shoulders well. I like it.
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It takes a lot of courage to tackle a project like this. I think that Fordney was almost in a school of his own. He was certainly not one to follow where others had gone before. I think that there is no such thing as "almost right" on a Fordney gun, since he copied no one and no one copied him; it is either completely right or completely wrong, and yours looks completely right.