AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Ed Wenger on October 01, 2020, 02:21:08 AM

Title: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Ed Wenger on October 01, 2020, 02:21:08 AM
I haven’t posted anything in some time, so I thought I’d show some photos of this piece I just completed.  It’s a Germanic Hunting Rifle, although stocked in a beautiful piece of American walnut.  My apologies for the not so great photos, they really don’t do justice to the stock.  Anyway, it has a 31” barrel, .62 caliber.  The lock is a Chambers, round faced Germanic.  The furniture is steel, cast from an original.  The side plate that came with the castings was just a tad small for this lock, so I fabricated a new one in the style of the original.  The trigger was hand made as well.  The wrist inlay was cast from a pattern I fabricated, and I cast it in fine silver.  I didn’t stain the stock, but did apply a sealer coat of Alkanet root varnish, then finished out with tung oil.  All the steel furniture and lock were cold blued, then mostly all rubbed off.  I think that’s about it..., any questions, ask away.  Thanks for lookin’!  Best,

    Ed

(https://i.ibb.co/BrVYgxF/C06570-CD-E4-F1-4741-BCE7-B1-C8-A64-E9-B35.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qWM2RfV)

(https://i.ibb.co/Yc40zzT/33-A8-EB77-0-F9-E-4-DC2-A271-3206-E2-DDAAFA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3p5RDDY)

(https://i.ibb.co/nM5NLtC/06621-FEF-DB8-B-40-B8-BBF1-895-C8-BAA061-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/60f7WLB)

(https://i.ibb.co/qnwTvcC/C58777-E0-FC7-A-46-B0-B928-593-DA6-E8-CBDB.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TT59s71)

(https://i.ibb.co/sq1ggHg/829-D9861-9226-4281-8850-46-FB2-BF7-A154.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4pSFFdF)

(https://i.ibb.co/vhnt5fB/DC1-E8-F68-3-A5-E-4976-9184-C8-E26919-A93-B.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JqJhL8d)

(https://i.ibb.co/5kB9ZT2/792930-A5-659-E-431-F-AAE9-CC28541-DF580.jpg) (https://ibb.co/r34t9kv)

(https://i.ibb.co/GWWwf4P/F43166-DE-7277-4130-86-E2-2-F635-FD6296-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/D99XPHK)

(https://i.ibb.co/n3yrxCk/36-E7801-B-A727-41-AA-9-ACB-101-BC70-F1693.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bHV1cJd)

(https://i.ibb.co/B2x2zNC/FB3-EB5-A9-E313-4-AFC-9366-EDB9-ED35-E4-A7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LdWdk5Z)

(https://i.ibb.co/hWtjcyW/050-A7-E4-E-3-F09-4-D1-A-9547-732-A828-E71-AA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FwjMXKw)

(https://i.ibb.co/56Q2hxM/01-E3-D22-B-1661-4952-BD04-A24-C9-D83910-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6mKN0Jn)

(https://i.ibb.co/gZXjz4C/B32-E2391-0336-4-E7-C-9848-EA89-BA010-F89.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m5YD6N7)

(https://i.ibb.co/D7dJJ4S/F75-D3-DC7-00-B3-4-D26-A362-162-B0-AEE084-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9qPDDnC)

(https://i.ibb.co/VqZ1FH8/6-F964-AB3-950-A-40-E1-87-D9-0754-F3-BD2-BAA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TgSfQK5)

(https://i.ibb.co/nDz1WQT/7-B5-A020-A-86-EC-48-E4-80-BB-E822402-AA96-C.jpg) (https://ibb.co/30BFJSw)

(https://i.ibb.co/bKVTBkZ/E2-C64-EE7-E5-B8-4-A56-8-F2-B-CE5-C26000100.jpg) (https://ibb.co/P6yKhdn)

(https://i.ibb.co/sPFfYcc/B4298-DDE-D31-F-41-AF-B0-B9-E0848-F044-AF0.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j5LNXqq)
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: BruceH on October 01, 2020, 02:33:56 AM
All I can say is "Excellent".
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: smallpatch on October 01, 2020, 02:38:41 AM
Ed,
Beautiful.  You can do no wrong! Wonderful piece.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: P.Bigham on October 01, 2020, 03:06:32 AM
Outstanding craftsmanship.  Have you any idea of how many hours of labor you have in this Rifle? 
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Joe Schell on October 01, 2020, 03:11:53 AM
Very nice work !
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: P.Bigham on October 01, 2020, 03:14:17 AM
That’s the curliest piece of American walnut I’ve seen.  Also just noticed the hinged accouterment holder inside the PB. Awesome!!!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Jerry on October 01, 2020, 03:24:42 AM
Ed, I always enjoy seeing your craftsmanship. This one is over the top. Excellent. Jerry
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: rich pierce on October 01, 2020, 03:28:43 AM
And to think I knew ya when you were just outstanding!  Not sure there’s better carving out there. Altogether superlative.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: FALout on October 01, 2020, 03:35:10 AM
Wow, that is nice!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: helwood on October 01, 2020, 03:43:58 AM
Greetings,
Very nice work, really enjoy seeing your progress.
                  Hank
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Daryl on October 01, 2020, 04:03:05 AM
Now THAT is special, Ed.  I  might even be able to see the rear sight!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Oil Derek on October 01, 2020, 04:42:35 AM
WOW, just WOW!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Ed Wenger on October 01, 2020, 05:00:51 AM
Thank you all, very much.

I really have no idea as to how many hours I have in this rifle.  It seems like I was getting pulled away far more than usual during this project.  Vacations, staining the house, putting in a downstairs bathroom all added to the time.

It is a very nice piece of wood.  I’ve seen a couple walnut blanks close to this one, but never any nicer.  To be honest, there was a bit of apprehension on my part, not wanting to screw anything up.  Also, all the curl made for some interesting carving and shaping.  I felt honored to be asked to build this piece.

Thanks again.

        Ed
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Richard on October 01, 2020, 06:03:54 AM
Ed, so much to admire. Your work is outstanding. Overall beautiful. I can hear it saying "TAKE ME HUNTING"
What does it weigh, please.

RG
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Curtis on October 01, 2020, 07:01:46 AM
Wow Ed, you are the carving man!  Exemplary work from the architecture to the relief carving.  It will make a dandy hinting rifle!


Curtis
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Daryl on October 01, 2020, 07:22:45 AM
The breech engraving, trigger guard and butt plate (entry-pipe & top jaw too) is over the top - carving plus really fine stippling combined - very nicely executed.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: wattlebuster on October 01, 2020, 11:29:44 AM
Wow. Excellent work ;D
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Rolf on October 01, 2020, 12:18:05 PM
truly beautiful work.

Best regards
Rolf
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: alacran on October 01, 2020, 01:35:11 PM
That is extremely nice. American black walnut really doesn't lend itself well for those intricate carvings. The carving around the entry pipe is exquisite. Bravo!!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: guido on October 01, 2020, 01:48:50 PM
Amazing Ed! Impressive to say the least. Feel fortunate to see this from inception. That was a lot of time and work that went into this gun.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Dennis Glazener on October 01, 2020, 02:08:40 PM
Ed,
Excellent work, beautiful gun. I always thought walnut stocks were beautiful and you have made this piece exquisite.
Dennis
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: tiswell on October 01, 2020, 02:30:07 PM
Stunning!, Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Tim Crosby on October 01, 2020, 03:49:30 PM
  Man Ed you really dressed that one up, she is almost "Bewitching". How in the world do you top it, I'm sure you will

    Tim 
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: scottmc on October 01, 2020, 04:01:54 PM
I'm not typically someone who likes the guns with all the embellishments but I have to acknowledge this one as a true beauty!!  It is a real piece of art and you are obviously a master of the art!  Great job!!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Mike Brooks on October 01, 2020, 04:20:53 PM
Outstanding work. Excellent carving and engraving.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Robby on October 01, 2020, 04:28:39 PM
Spectacular piece of walnut, your composition and execution are equal to it!
Robby
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: alex e. on October 01, 2020, 04:40:20 PM
Amazing  !  Work for all to aspire to.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: t.caster on October 01, 2020, 04:47:58 PM
Beyond beautiful and excellent, I think this piece is SPECTACULAR! It has so many great individual details that all flow together into a cohesive work of art.
Congrats to the lucky new owner, you have an heirloom!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Ed Wenger on October 01, 2020, 05:01:02 PM
Thank you, all!

Richard..., I don’t know what it weighs, I’d guess a little over 8 lbs or so.  The barrel has a pronounced taper and flair, and it seems to handle and point nicely.

Thanks again,

Ed
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on October 01, 2020, 06:53:18 PM
Wonderful work Ed!!  In design, the German hunting rifle rivals the English counterpart, and this example fills that bill perfectly.  I love the intricate floral carving which is next to impossible to pull off in Black Walnut.  Magnificent, all around!!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: alex e. on October 01, 2020, 06:58:50 PM
Amazing  !  Work for all to aspire to.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Marcruger on October 01, 2020, 07:36:23 PM
Now I know what you've been up to.   :-) 

Jaw-dropping work Ed, especially your carving and engraving.  I especially like that tang shell.

Wow.   

God Bless,   Marc
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Ian Pratt on October 01, 2020, 08:07:09 PM
Very nicely done Ed!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: davec2 on October 01, 2020, 08:50:11 PM
Edward !

You've outdone yourself on this one !! Unbelievebly precise work all around.  Did you do the steel castings ?  And the side plate....did you relief carve / engrave  that from steel plate ?  Is the muzzle cap horn or ebony ?  I have always been personally big on using the patch box to hold tools for any gun and I love the hinged, mounted tool holder you did in this patch box.  The breech engraving is stunning and the carving, as Taylor noted, is not only beautifully done but difficult to do in black walnut.  The intricacy is demonstrated in all of the carving, but I noted the delicacy of the molding around the patch box in particular. 

I hope you made this rifle for yourself.  If I had made a rifle that spectacular, I would be hard pressed to turn loose of it.   ;)

Just just an outstanding rifle.

Dave C
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Bob Roller on October 01, 2020, 09:02:25 PM
I'm not typically someone who likes the guns with all the embellishments but I have to acknowledge this one as a true beauty!!  It is a real piece of art and you are obviously a master of the art!  Great job!!

Fine work indeed.Like scottmc said about not liking embellished guns,I am the same way
but as an old friend,Big Bill Hendersen used to say,"It would only be an oaf or a poltroon
who couldn't appreciate this one.
Bob Roller
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Marcruger on October 01, 2020, 09:17:47 PM
"It would only be an oaf or a poltroon
who couldn't appreciate this one."

I wish I'd thought of that one.    :D
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: B.Habermehl on October 01, 2020, 09:43:20 PM
Absolutely stunning!! I love Germanic styled guns like this. I only wish I had half the ability it took to create this gun. BJH
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Hessian on October 01, 2020, 10:48:56 PM
Mein Gott im Himmel!
That is such a beautiful rifle!
If ever you seek to "Re-home" it, I would be interestedI posted before reading the whole thread. One lucky man to own a rifle like that!
I once had one with similar lines when I was younger but it was much more plain. Unfortunately I was much less prosperous and had to sell it to meet expenses one month. I miss that rifle something terrible. IIRC a fella in Arizona bought it. Can't remember his name. I think I sold it on the old "Historical Trekking" board.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: draken on October 01, 2020, 11:38:58 PM
Lucky indeed, is the soon to be owner of that exceptional piece!  :P
The pictures made me drool all over my keyboard.    :)
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: hanshi on October 01, 2020, 11:43:31 PM
Outstanding, of course, and I'd say more if I could close my gaping mouth!  I love jaegers and that one's primo!
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: flatsguide on October 02, 2020, 01:36:35 AM
Beautiful work and great carving in black walnut. I think the design and execution of the patch box and molding is top drawer work. Could you please take a few close up photos of the rear and front sights?
Thanks Richard
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: BOB HILL on October 02, 2020, 02:44:04 AM
Ed, I don't know what to say that hasn't been already been said, except thanks for sharing this wonderful piece of work with us. I always enjoy your artwork.
Bob
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: TommyG on October 02, 2020, 02:48:33 AM
Ed, that is some kind of wonderful right there..  For a gun that is heavily decorated, it's just all the right designs in all the right places, with  outstanding execution.  Nothing interrupts the eye as it travels across your work.  That is beyond well done...  A great piece of wood as well.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: acorn20 on October 02, 2020, 02:52:25 AM
I've enjoyed reading the many well deserved accolades from your peers.  Personally, I think you should sign up for a few more Ron Scott Jaeger seminars and workshops!  But then, you probably wouldn't get much out them at this point.  ;)

I understand that there were 278 phone texts between you and the owner discussing various details; 2 phone calls; and 148 pictures/sketches of the build concerning other details.  To say that you kept the owner in the build is clearly an understatement.  You have definitely found your niche in gun building!  Congratulations on an unbelievably, gorgeous build!   
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: smart dog on October 02, 2020, 03:08:42 AM
Wow Ed!!  I really like the metal sculpting and engraving.  I think Frederick the Great would employ you.

dave
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Ed Wenger on October 02, 2020, 03:27:28 AM
Jeez o Pete..., thanks very much, all..., really appreciate it!

Richard..., I don’t believe I have any photos of the front sight, sorry...  Here are two of the rear sight:

(https://i.ibb.co/z2XJQvq/C16-C036-D-6111-40-FB-8-FD5-5-F864830-F24-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fNkvqwj)

(https://i.ibb.co/WBjgQ1H/D8-BC813-A-F1-E5-4-B57-98-FC-A8-AC6011069-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RQdz1Wg)

Dave..., thanks!  I did not cast the furniture, other than the wrist inlay.  Btw, I used your wood screw soldered to the underneath of the inlay trick to secure it in place.  Excellent method!  I did chisel the side plate design from a piece of steel.  The muzzle cap is horn, per every original I’ve personally ever seen.  I stole the idea of the jag holder in the box, so can’t take credit for that one.  Thanks again!

Acorn20..., I had no idea I’d made that much of a pest 🤣🤣

Again, many thanks to all!  It means a lot coming from a group of people like yourselves!

        Ed
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Acer Saccharum on October 02, 2020, 04:00:40 AM
That's an incredible piece, Ed. Delicious everywhere you look. I'm especially impressed with the sideplate, as it's not easy to pull that oof when you start from a blank piece of steel.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: Phip on October 02, 2020, 04:59:43 AM
I'm partial to the trigger guard.  Your restrained decoration, Ed, make it all the more elegant.  Superb.
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: tlallijr on October 02, 2020, 05:02:40 AM
Beautiful !
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: flatsguide on October 02, 2020, 04:36:35 PM
Thanks for the rear sight photos Ed. Well done, just like the rest of the piece.
Richard
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: thecapgunkid on October 03, 2020, 09:37:42 PM
What a beauty
Title: Re: Germanic Hunting Rifle
Post by: gunmaker on October 04, 2020, 12:11:45 AM
The only fault that I can see on this rifle is that shes not in my gun safe......
.A hunting rifle ?  my son has one like this only a plain working gun.  After 15 yr. hunting deer/elk in western USA  looks like it came off a Prussian 18th C battlefield......very well done very well......thank you
 P.S.  the rifle says, my grand children live in Pennsylvania colony and are much taller than me......