AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Contemporary Longrifle Collecting => Topic started by: Mike Brooks on April 16, 2020, 03:39:32 PM

Title: Covid374
Post by: Mike Brooks on April 16, 2020, 03:39:32 PM
Er...gun #374 ;) This one heads to Alabamy today. Built along the Berks county school with a few of the usual Brooksisms thrown in. Dandy piece of sugar maple. Harrison stump  wood. Dale Johnson lock, Rice 38" C weight .54 swamped barrel, BP and TG are from my local castings. I made the sideplate and the pipes are TOTW. Equipped with swivels. Weight is an ounce or two over 8lbs.

(https://i.ibb.co/VTSDgrk/DSCF2695.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WfyFkqR)

(https://i.ibb.co/HTMgYrY/DSCF2696-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/B27sjgj)

(https://i.ibb.co/857FzFY/DSCF2696-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2tkX8XZ)

(https://i.ibb.co/8m3M7t0/DSCF2697-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hg5smwy)

(https://i.ibb.co/5sBZxZB/DSCF2698-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kqQZ6ZQ)

(https://i.ibb.co/1QvnWjz/DSCF2700-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dMWcYxm)

(https://i.ibb.co/xCsxz0B/DSCF2700.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tmhVYtv)

(https://i.ibb.co/TcnJ62r/DSCF2701.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xhcwWL3)

(https://i.ibb.co/pdHkZ4Y/DSCF2702.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x6nrGzx)

(https://i.ibb.co/PN12nPp/DSCF2703.jpg) (https://ibb.co/f2r35yR)

(https://i.ibb.co/8cRJYTM/DSCF2704.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NSkXTQx)
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Bob McBride on April 16, 2020, 04:04:03 PM
She’s a beauty of a hog rifle Mike. Very appealing. Side plate and patchbox cover are perfect. Love the different engraving. Cool gun.

How long a screw did you use on the rear swivel? Do you use glue as well?
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Mike Brooks on April 16, 2020, 04:14:55 PM
She’s a beauty of a hog rifle Mike. Very appealing. Side plate and patchbox cover are perfect. Love the different engraving. Cool gun.

How long a screw did you use on the rear swivel? Do you use glue as well?
It's a 1/4" X by 1" lag bolt. It ain't coming out! ;D  I actually got this one in the middle of the stock for a change... :P
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: sqrldog on April 16, 2020, 04:24:07 PM
Nice rifle Mike. Too bad it's not mine. Anthony should really like it.  If not I'll take. Bob it probably will go hog hunting. Anthony intends to use it as his big game hunting rifle. Nice piece of wood with a great finish Mike.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Mike Brooks on April 16, 2020, 04:46:51 PM
I stained this with the old Aqua Fortis that TOTW used to sell, then a coat of thinned down Dangler's redbrown. then scrubbed the $#*! out of it.   I like the color.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Marcruger on April 16, 2020, 05:17:48 PM
Yep Mike, that one is sharp.  I really like all of it.  I agree, that color came out super.  I like those late 18th century lines.....solid but graceful.  I'd be proud to own that one.   God Bless,   Marc
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: rich pierce on April 16, 2020, 05:59:07 PM
Very fine.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Jim Spray on April 16, 2020, 06:07:06 PM
Very nice Mr. Brooks. Color and finish are top shelf.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Joe S. on April 16, 2020, 06:15:21 PM
Real nice Mike,love the color
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: smallpatch on April 16, 2020, 06:27:59 PM
Nice Mr. Brooks.
I swore I would never use this term, but I just gotta.
Your guns always have an " organic" feel.  Ya just wanna put your hands on em.
I guess you could call them " new girlfriend" guns!
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Bob McBride on April 16, 2020, 06:41:51 PM
Nice Mr. Brooks.
I swore I would never use this term, but I just gotta.
Your guns always have an " organic" feel.  Ya just wanna put your hands on em.
I guess you could call them " new girlfriend" guns!

I’ll go ahead and say it. They’re sexy.  ;)
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on April 16, 2020, 07:19:40 PM
I don't think I've ever seen a cleaner rifle from your bench Mike.  Sweet!!
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Daryl on April 16, 2020, 07:29:02 PM
That is a pleasant, warm looking rifle. Nice.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: alex e. on April 16, 2020, 09:06:10 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Robert Wolfe on April 16, 2020, 09:07:28 PM
Very nice - as usual!
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: ScottH on April 16, 2020, 10:20:55 PM
Somebody is going to be really happy!
Fine as Frog Hair!  ;)
And that is a great butt plate, I like the way it kinda wraps around the heel.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Mike C on April 16, 2020, 10:42:39 PM
Mike,
How did you finish the steel surfaces?
Mike C
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Mike Brooks on April 17, 2020, 01:12:06 AM
Mike,
How did you finish the steel surfaces?
Mike C
Rust in a damp box for 4 or 5 days then sand it all off. 
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: PIKELAKE on April 17, 2020, 01:30:23 AM
What a wonderful rifle Mr. Brooks. My question concerns the front swivel. I am guessing you used a barrel lug for the cross bolt....... How do keep that cross bolt from interfering with the ram rod channel if the web between the barrel and stock is kept at a minimum?  I tried using a #6 bolt and it still didn't work on this rifle but I have been successful on other rifles. It must be the stock?  Thank you. JZ
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Ed Wenger on April 17, 2020, 04:33:30 AM
Nice, Mike!  I’m getting very partial to this type of rifle, and this ones a dandy.  Nifty piece of wood to boot!  Best,


          Ed
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Lucky R A on April 17, 2020, 01:12:51 PM
Hey Mike,
       That sure is as nice of a rendition of a Reading City rifle as I have seen.  Too bad someone palmed that ugly stick of wood off on you.  The grain almost confuses the mind looking at it, but then at my age I am easily confused.   #374 huh!  what happened, you on vacation?  I pulled a few numbers ahead of you...more whittling and less typing... Best wishes
Ron
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: rennikselum on April 17, 2020, 01:39:50 PM
Beautiful!!!

Thanks for sharing.

Jeff
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Mike Brooks on April 17, 2020, 03:49:35 PM
What a wonderful rifle Mr. Brooks. My question concerns the front swivel. I am guessing you used a barrel lug for the cross bolt....... How do keep that cross bolt from interfering with the ram rod channel if the web between the barrel and stock is kept at a minimum?  I tried using a #6 bolt and it still didn't work on this rifle but I have been successful on other rifles. It must be the stock?  Thank you. JZ
Being a swamped barrel there is plenty of wood in the web in that area for a swivel bolt. I used a #6. There isn't alot of wiggle room. I usually use a 5/32" web at the muzzle and breech which gives you even more wood under the swamp. I could probably even go to an 1/8" web and still do it.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Mike Brooks on April 17, 2020, 03:55:33 PM
Hey Mike,
       That sure is as nice of a rendition of a Reading City rifle as I have seen.  Too bad someone palmed that ugly stick of wood off on you.  The grain almost confuses the mind looking at it, but then at my age I am easily confused.   #374 huh!  what happened, you on vacation?  I pulled a few numbers ahead of you...more whittling and less typing... Best wishes
Ron
I'm old and busted up. If I get 6 guns done a year now it's a miracle. Back in my wasted youth I sometimes did as many as 18 carved rifles a year. Now it's arthritis in my hands, back, neck and knees. I'm lucky to get 3-4 hours in a day. Been getting more done lately as my wife is a teacher and is home all the time now. I have to stay the  $#*! out of the house or she finds something for me to do. If I'm going to be in pain doing something I'd just as soon be building guns.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: wattlebuster on April 17, 2020, 06:00:16 PM
Very sharp. I like it a lot. Ought to do quite a job on these hogs an whitetails here in hotabama
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: sqrldog on April 17, 2020, 07:33:18 PM
It'll look better with some of the shine worn off aged with some mud and hog manure on it.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: oldtravler61 on April 17, 2020, 07:34:27 PM
  Mike as I said on other sites. This is one beautiful rifle. Like the fact that it has a 38" barrel. Going to be a fine well balanced rifle.     Oldtravler
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Robby on April 17, 2020, 09:10:22 PM
Beautifully done, all of it. Has a soft, smooth, clean look about it, nice!
Robby
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Smokey Plainsman on April 18, 2020, 12:45:39 AM
Another breathtaking Brooks!
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: PIKELAKE on April 18, 2020, 01:01:14 AM
Thanks Mr.Brooks for the reply. I just don't have much wiggle room to chance it. Thanks again.  JZ
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Eddie Southgate on April 19, 2020, 01:48:36 AM
Great looking rifle , I like everything about it .
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Tim Crosby on April 19, 2020, 02:32:47 PM
 Wow! The contours on the Brass is neat.

   Tim
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: BOB HILL on April 19, 2020, 09:25:42 PM
Somehow I missed this one.  Mike, you've done a spectacular job again. I like everything about it.
Bob
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Jim Kibler on April 19, 2020, 10:39:24 PM
Pretty snazzy Mr. Brooks!  I like it.

Jim
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: J. Talbert on April 20, 2020, 01:19:04 AM
Mike,
Very nice, right up my alley.  Simple with just enough features to make it interesting and as always, well executed.

Jeff
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: littlefat on April 29, 2020, 10:46:35 PM
Absolutely gorgeous !
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Mike Lyons on April 29, 2020, 11:00:02 PM
Dang Mike.  You have gotten really good at building rifles!!  Can you tell us your secret?
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Bob McBride on April 29, 2020, 11:17:16 PM
Dang Mike.  You have gotten really good at building rifles!!  Can you tell us your secret?

It’s that sour Iowa elbow grease. He should sell it on eBay by the pint...  ;)
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Bob Roller on May 04, 2020, 03:43:27 PM
Hey Mike,
       That sure is as nice of a rendition of a Reading City rifle as I have seen.  Too bad someone palmed that ugly stick of wood off on you.  The grain almost confuses the mind looking at it, but then at my age I am easily confused.   #374 huh!  what happened, you on vacation?  I pulled a few numbers ahead of you...more whittling and less typing... Best wishes
Ron
I'm old and busted up. If I get 6 guns done a year now it's a miracle. Back in my wasted youth I sometimes did as many as 18 carved rifles a year. Now it's arthritis in my hands, back, neck and knees. I'm lucky to get 3-4 hours in a day. Been getting more done lately as my wife is a teacher and is home all the time now. I have to stay the  $#*! out of the house or she finds something for me to do. If I'm going to be in pain doing something I'd just as soon be building guns.

Sounds like my current schedule.I haven,t been in the shop for a week.
I have got several inquiries for locks and I am not making any more of
them of any type.The triggers are all I will do and in limited numbers.
TIME is not a friend and never has been tp any of us and at 84 the level
of interest is changed a lot from "get it done" to "It gets done when it is done".
Bob Roller
/

Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on May 19, 2020, 02:20:44 AM
Love the color of the stock and the finish on the steel.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: t.caster on May 19, 2020, 04:51:28 PM
Mighty nice Haga rifle, Mike!

Glad to see your little Lehigh sold so quickly! I just finished mine yesterday and once it stops raining, I will get some pics of it to post.

Tom C
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: moseswhite on May 20, 2020, 03:38:44 PM
WOW ! What a beautiful rifle !!
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: TPH on May 20, 2020, 04:01:04 PM
As always Mike, exceptional work.
Title: Re: Covid374
Post by: k gahagan on May 20, 2020, 05:13:05 PM
Very nice Mike