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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Bruce Bump on February 11, 2009, 09:57:12 AM

Title: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Bruce Bump on February 11, 2009, 09:57:12 AM: Hello, My name is Bruce Bump. I make knives and occasionally make a black powder contraption. I made a pistol/knife combination that I hope I can show here. Hope this works as I'm the new guy here.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2F100_2580.jpg&hash=13c6546f52c00b0d1fb099001e0ef5177152686f)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2F100_2582.jpg&hash=a25ba243b2ac060f6c6602c08466bd658e9985b1)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2F100_2583.jpg&hash=4c8a925312e1d8f036323150003c1f3089bf9fdc)
Ok good I can post pictures here.
This is a lathe turned .45 cal barrel and mounted to a machined frame with a damascus folding blade on the side. I have it out right now for engraving and would like to post a finished picture when it comes back.
Thanks for looking, I realize its not very traditional and I hope you guys like it anyway.
I am an old friend of Don Litton. Is he still around? I lost contact about a year ago with him.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: lew wetzel on February 11, 2009, 03:40:36 PM: WOW,talk about bringing a gun to a knife fight..you got it all covered....welcome to the board and you surely take some good photos im sure the fellas here will get a kick out of seeing that ....
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Levy on February 11, 2009, 05:39:22 PM: An old gentleman that I worked with told me that, "A knife don't snap". It looks like you have all the bases covered. It may not be that traditional, but I like it. Great workmanship. Most of the old originals that I have seen were about .28 cal.

James Levy
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: PINYONE on February 11, 2009, 07:56:46 PM: That is a really nice combo- way over my head as to how to build one. In my view it is traditional, there are many in the 18th century in the same style. I have a friend in the Florida Keys that is a tortuga pirate- he would love that piece, great work- pinyone
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: tg on February 11, 2009, 08:15:56 PM: That is one nice looking "contraption" nice work, what do you build when you get serious about it? ;D
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: George F. on February 11, 2009, 09:36:35 PM: That looks like really a nice job. What is the purpose of that round gear looking wheel under the muzzle. and that vise grip jaw looking thing under the breech? ...Geo.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Ezra on February 12, 2009, 12:52:10 AM: If you are the same Bruce Bump I am thinking of, I have seen many of your beautiful knives at gunshows in Eastern Washington State. Quality of your work is top drawer. Folders especially.

Ez
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Pete Allan on February 12, 2009, 04:09:45 AM: Bruce beautiful piece of work. I have been watching your work for years on Blade forum. How about posting a picture of your"Brutus axe head matchlock"? I don't think the good folks here get to see that level of art work very oflen.
To say the least WELCOME
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Bruce Bump on February 12, 2009, 05:38:14 AM: Thanks guys for the warm welcome and great compliments.

Ezra, yes I'm the guy that used to frequent the gun shows with knives. I bet I know you but my memory isnt what it used to be.

George F, There is a blade lock under the frame and the knob under the muzzle is the ram rod that screws into the frame. I could post other views sometime if you like.

Pete, here is Brutus the axegun. It may be low res pictures though.

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2Fbrutus2_8x10.jpg&hash=cde43b6e97a3153506013f4a8467ae7423fccd5c)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2Fbrutus_8x10.jpg&hash=0bcc682073505fd679fd9f30120fdbab60f80273)
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Brian on February 12, 2009, 05:47:16 AM: Ah ........ the words "Holy Cow" and "WOW" come readily to mind. Don't you be leaving this forum. You found "home" so don't be wandering off now. ;)
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: lew wetzel on February 12, 2009, 07:23:04 AM: holys$#@& that ax/gun is spectacular....very nice indeed...
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: B Shipman on February 12, 2009, 08:06:56 AM: Very cool Bruce.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: JTR on February 13, 2009, 01:07:18 AM: Welcome over here Bruce.
I've watched your work over on blade forum for awhile too, and continue to be impressed.
Hope you find this an interesting place and stick around.
John Robbins
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Bruce Bump on March 11, 2009, 10:46:11 PM: I have the Tortuga II pistol finished and thought maybe you fellas would take one last look. The engraving is by Tom Ferry. Thanks for the welcome and compliments on my guns.

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2F100_2663_edited.jpg&hash=d628094310bb8e374859b9c0187034c45ba9a4f8)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2F100_2666_edited.jpg&hash=bf9f64ab6e5d1f9b4d532bf0178dfedd46e8a4b5)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2F100_2674_edited.jpg&hash=f5646eb4479caee89069779c575c28e1d6428633)

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2F100_2669_edited.jpg&hash=0ee750c3c80104dcec9c4e0df3a8772675ff3c3a)
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Brian on March 11, 2009, 10:51:14 PM: Spectacular work! In my dreams I build stuff just like that. ;)
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: hanshi on March 12, 2009, 12:45:30 AM: WOW! Those are absolutely the coolest things I've seen. The term "high art" comes to mind. Hope you hang around & post often.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Brian Jordan on March 12, 2009, 01:43:00 AM: I have never seen anything like that before! You are a true craftsman, and an artist!! Thanks for sharing your work with us!!
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: jerrywh on March 12, 2009, 01:49:44 AM: COOL --- nice to see something different.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: B Shipman on March 12, 2009, 07:00:12 AM: Great stuff. Completely different. You march to your own drummer for sure.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Bruce Bump on March 12, 2009, 07:02:25 AM: Thanks for kind words guys. I do have fun. :)
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: J.D. on March 12, 2009, 08:52:45 PM: Stunning, absolutely stunning work. Could I ask, how was the flame pattern on the pattern welded blade made?

I have made some pattern welded steel, but noting like that spectacular piece.

Thanks, and God bless,
J.D.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Bruce Bump on March 13, 2009, 08:35:35 AM: Hi JD,
That damascus pattern is called "Feathered W's" and is fairly easy to make with the aid of a forging press.
I Started with about 12 layers of alternating 1084/15n20 steel of equal thickness. Forge weld the stack and turn it 90 degrees so the layers are now on edge. Next heat and smash the billet while drawing it out at least 4 times its original length. Cut it into 4 pieces and restack them and forge weld, draw, cut and restack for a total of 12-16. Draw out to 2" wide and cut into 2" squares. Stack the spuares and forge weld. Cut the entire welded stack right down the middle with a log splitting wedge at welding heat and simply weld the two pieces back together. You will now have a loaf of feathered damascus that is actually big enough to slice like bread and make 3 or 4 exact blades.
Here is a bowie with the same billet but I forged it out bigger.

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2F100_2699_edited.jpg&hash=5913bbffa4399f2846bb6af90e9a8f1372d0dfcd)
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: J.D. on March 14, 2009, 09:37:16 PM: Thanks for that explanation Bruce. I will have to experiment a bit to get that right.

That is a stunning piece of work. I must say that your work is comparable to the very best of those posting here.

Thanks and God bless,
J.D.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Bruce Bump on March 14, 2009, 10:28:17 PM: Thanks so much JD
Here is a picture that tells a thousand words thanks to Nick Wheeler.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi284.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll18%2Fbrucebump%2Ffeatherfromwheeler.jpg&hash=8c155e63dfd3d2ed94e8b9c7c2f4d04169711515)
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: LRB on March 15, 2009, 09:06:17 PM: Absolutly, strikingly, magnificient!! And I don't normally like damascus. The entire piece is simply beautiful.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: J.D. on March 16, 2009, 12:51:20 AM: Thank you for that illustration, Bruce. One last question and I'll quit pestering you, does the billet need to be cut through, or can it be cut nearly through, equally from each side, then welded. Cutting roughly 1/4 through, from each side should give the same effect, but save time and make it easier to manipulate the two pieces for welding.

The only problem I would see with not cutting the billet completely through would be the difficulty in getting the opposing cuts even.

Just kinda think'n...typn' out loud, so to speak...type.

Thanks and God bless,
J.D.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Bruce Bump on March 16, 2009, 03:32:26 AM: Quote from: J.D. on March 16, 2009, 12:51:20 AM
Thank you for that illustration, Bruce. One last question and I'll quit pestering you, does the billet need to be cut through, or can it be cut nearly through, equally from each side, then welded. Cutting roughly 1/4 through, from each side should give the same effect, but save time and make it easier to manipulate the two pieces for welding.

The only problem I would see with not cutting the billet completely through would be the difficulty in getting the opposing cuts even.

Just kinda think'n...typn' out loud, so to speak...type.

Thanks and God bless,

Yes the billet needs to be cut completely in two and cleaned up and rewelded. It would be a different pattern (maybe cool) if cut from both ends, but I dont think you could hot cut it from both ends and come together with the cuts. It takes more than one heat when hot cutting.
This is one of the most difficult patterns I have made before and screwed up 4 or 5 billets before getting it right.

J.D.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: J.D. on March 17, 2009, 03:50:10 AM: Thanks Bruce, that makes sense.
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: altland jr. on April 29, 2009, 12:12:40 AM: That is a spectacular piece of work. I love this gun. Good job!!
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Joey R on April 29, 2009, 05:36:11 AM: Bruce, Astounding work and Thanks! Sparky
Title: Re: Tortuga pirate pistol
Post by: Acer Saccharum on April 29, 2009, 05:47:05 AM: Hokey Smokes, Bruce, that is one spectacular piece of work. Oh, my.

I gotta ask, is the blade real damascus, or is the pattern engraved or etched? Wicked looking pistol, all around. Great job. Whew.

Acer