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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: tallbear on July 10, 2013, 06:35:08 PM

Title: Reading Rifle
Post by: tallbear on July 10, 2013, 06:35:08 PM

I just finished up this Reading Rifle based on RCA #22.It has a custom profile .54 cal Getz Barrel and was stained with aqua-fortis and finished with real Spar Varnish.As always all comments are welcome.

Mitch Yates
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi112.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn166%2Fjmyates%2FButchs%2520Reading%2520Gun%2FButchesgun3098_zpsdf9cc62b.jpg&hash=50ac1a99e68e6ae74d70102d01020fa8dedaaadc) (http://s112.photobucket.com/user/jmyates/media/Butchs%20Reading%20Gun/Butchesgun3098_zpsdf9cc62b.jpg.html)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi112.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn166%2Fjmyates%2FButchs%2520Reading%2520Gun%2FButchesgun3023_zps7a2b96ce.jpg&hash=33c693657b8969fa22cf00fc58e857ab475b23ae) (http://s112.photobucket.com/user/jmyates/media/Butchs%20Reading%20Gun/Butchesgun3023_zps7a2b96ce.jpg.html)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi112.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn166%2Fjmyates%2FButchs%2520Reading%2520Gun%2FButchesgun2013_zps969883dc.jpg&hash=3e782f7c50be9547c25f514ea1547df4b63c5956) (http://s112.photobucket.com/user/jmyates/media/Butchs%20Reading%20Gun/Butchesgun2013_zps969883dc.jpg.html)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi112.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn166%2Fjmyates%2FButchs%2520Reading%2520Gun%2FButchesgun3042_zpsc6d06dfa.jpg&hash=d7457055db69dc29bbac14bbdc56d32faad91ff5) (http://s112.photobucket.com/user/jmyates/media/Butchs%20Reading%20Gun/Butchesgun3042_zpsc6d06dfa.jpg.html)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi112.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn166%2Fjmyates%2FButchs%2520Reading%2520Gun%2FButchesgun3115_zpsd614d478.jpg&hash=4925bf5bd33f3da0e076562066845356bd0931a2) (http://s112.photobucket.com/user/jmyates/media/Butchs%20Reading%20Gun/Butchesgun3115_zpsd614d478.jpg.html)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi112.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn166%2Fjmyates%2FButchs%2520Reading%2520Gun%2FButchesgun059_zps9f305bb1.jpg&hash=bc1a0c635fc1a9e1ac511fb62ca80fbe2ba397b5) (http://s112.photobucket.com/user/jmyates/media/Butchs%20Reading%20Gun/Butchesgun059_zps9f305bb1.jpg.html)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi112.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn166%2Fjmyates%2FButchs%2520Reading%2520Gun%2FButchesgun064_zps152373c4.jpg&hash=9ae8b042059e4163f9e92487320ec3c48cd8ce21) (http://s112.photobucket.com/user/jmyates/media/Butchs%20Reading%20Gun/Butchesgun064_zps152373c4.jpg.html)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi112.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn166%2Fjmyates%2FButchs%2520Reading%2520Gun%2FButchesgun015_zpsd9cec574.jpg&hash=f5df33d5f4c8a98cf89d80cf31f321fc96dbbfb2) (http://s112.photobucket.com/user/jmyates/media/Butchs%20Reading%20Gun/Butchesgun015_zpsd9cec574.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: E.vonAschwege on July 10, 2013, 07:36:51 PM

Mitch that's a beautiful rifle - very well done!  You achieved an excellent and eye-appealing contrast between the metal and wood finishes, particularly with the black glaze to highlight carvings and moldings.  I like that you chose to leave the lock mostly bright. 

Not only is it a nice overall rendition of RCA22, but you also kept a lot of the small details as well. 

Looks comfortable - will it be at Dixon's?  See ya there, thanks for sharing! 
-Eric

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: C Wallingford on July 10, 2013, 07:57:21 PM

Mitch-- an excellent job. That is one beautiful rifle, nice crisp lines and the color is beautiful.

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: Tim Crosby on July 10, 2013, 08:19:33 PM

  That is a Good looking rifle Mitch, Very nicely done. The finish, wood and metal looks great.

   Tim  C. 

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: Curtis on July 11, 2013, 12:15:47 AM

Mitch,

I have to pretty much echo Eric's comments.  I find your rendition very appealing!  Great work.

Curtis

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: smallpatch on July 11, 2013, 12:32:38 AM

Mitch,

Awesome job. Love the patina, and the architecture.
 I totally fell in love with the Reading style a couple of years ago.  Very unique architecture.  I'm  just getting ready to start carving my rendition of the RCA #26 rifle. Another really unusual Reading gun.
Thanks for sharing.  Again, Nicely done.

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: Ed Wenger on July 11, 2013, 03:26:10 AM

Nice, clean looking piece, Mitch.  Really well done!

   Ed

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: JTR on July 11, 2013, 03:39:03 AM

That's a fine looking rifle for sure!

I'm curious, what's the difference between 'real' Spar Varnish, and the stuff in the spray can?

John

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: wattlebuster on July 11, 2013, 03:49:56 AM

Great looking gun. I really like your carving ;D

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: Acer Saccharum on July 11, 2013, 05:32:27 AM

That's a very yummy rifle, Mitch. Great job.

T

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: tallbear on July 11, 2013, 06:14:12 AM

Thanks guys!!!!

JTR
Sorry for not being clearer.There are many things sold under the label of spar varnish.Not sure what the differences are but I did a lot of work on wooden boats in a previous life.When some one said "real spar varnish" they were referring to McCloskey Man O'War Marine Spar Varnish and only that.Most boatyards would use that and only that as all others were considered inferior. I use gloss and rub it back rather than matte as the matting agents make the finish less clear than the gloss.I also thin it with naphtha so it goes on thinner unless I'm using it to fill grain on walnut.

Mitch

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: JTR on July 11, 2013, 12:24:38 PM

Thanks Mitch. The finish looks particularly nice to my eye.
John

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: bama on July 11, 2013, 02:08:03 PM

Mitch that is one of my favorite rifle and you did a fantastic job on it. Your work just keeps getting better my friend.

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: johnny on July 11, 2013, 04:44:46 PM

Hello Mitch,

Very, very clean!  I certainly enjoy visually feeling her out.  Oh yeah I can see the front sight settling back down on target after a good follow through and then the ball piecing flesh, clanging steel or punching paper.  Oh yeah it is so good!

John

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: Don Getz on July 11, 2013, 04:57:21 PM

Mitch.......looks like you are taking over the late Dave Dodds gunbuilding scene.   He used flat black paint to accent most of
his guns, and they looked good..   I was looking at the trigger guard, did you re-shape a Reaves #10 guard on this gun?
Don

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: pushboater on July 11, 2013, 05:19:37 PM

Good looking Rifle Mitch.  Well done. 

Capt. David

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on July 11, 2013, 07:25:07 PM

Someone described it as 'comfortable'...that's exactly how I see it too.  A real shooter!  Nice job Mitch.

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: rich pierce on July 11, 2013, 08:49:19 PM

I like the Reading vein Mitch is working lately.   Great early guns and terrific execution.  Look real.

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: tallbear on July 11, 2013, 10:48:35 PM

Thanks again guys for the kind words,they are appreciated and let me know I'm working in the right direction. :) :)

Don
The trigger guard is Reeves #66 which he lists as Dave Dodds early Berks guard.The BP is #10

The patina is basically expensive dirt.I use dry earth and iron oxide pigments with a little bone black from Kremers.Dust them on the wet finish and rub them out when dry.


Mitch

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: Brian Jordan on July 12, 2013, 01:22:12 AM

Just like the rest of your work Mitch. It just screams talent!!

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: B Shipman on July 12, 2013, 07:01:49 AM

Really like it.

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: flehto on July 12, 2013, 07:52:29 PM

Reading LRs were unique and your rendition follows in the "footsteps" of these early makers. Beautiful LR....Fred

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: Cory Joe Stewart on July 14, 2013, 11:17:59 PM

Fantastic Mitch.  I am going to be building a Reading for a buddy this fall/winter.  Studying this one will be a great help.

Coryjoe

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: Robby on July 14, 2013, 11:53:34 PM

Fred pretty much said it for me. I always enjoy looking at your work Mitch!
robby

Title: Re: Reading Rifle
Post by: James Rogers on July 20, 2013, 09:29:54 PM

I have been glancing at these new builds on my cell phoneover the past months. After seeing some of this stuff full size on my computer today all I can say is WOW.