AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Lucky R A on June 11, 2016, 07:50:32 PM
-
A little while ago Jim offered one of his kits that had a minor boo boo. The ram rod drill had wandered into the barrel channel about 4" in front of the breech. Not a hard fix, particularly when using a single bolt for the lock. The kit was in 40 val. with a $200 wood upgrade.
I rarely build from a kit, except when a client commissions me to do so. I thus have limited experience with kits. I found Jim's kit to be exceptionally high quality in fit and design. I was able to assemble the kit as shipped in 4 hours using only a hand drill and a few other small hand tools. I added a double end box and a small simple cheek piece inlay. I kept the stain dark to show off the metal finish. I am sure that we will see all kinds of "customizing" of the basic kit, but this is my effort.
Best wishes,
Ron
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg242%2Fluckenbill%2FP1130231.jpg&hash=e72c5df30e198ef79d5ddb704f3fa2caa854731c) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/luckenbill/media/P1130231.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg242%2Fluckenbill%2FP1130235.jpg&hash=8fc0abe595570703aa0dfc831dfed9154c4668c0) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/luckenbill/media/P1130235.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg242%2Fluckenbill%2FP1130239.jpg&hash=fa36d9d44b5056351c91a3ebc7d754ca8adab717) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/luckenbill/media/P1130239.jpg.html)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg242%2Fluckenbill%2FP1130238.jpg&hash=1975e3de37afd830ff875081aad7df3f1411c599) (http://s58.photobucket.com/user/luckenbill/media/P1130238.jpg.html)
-
Wow!! That a very sharp looking rifle!!
Would you mind me asking how you did the metal??
That's exactly the finish I'd love to get on my current build..I'm not sure how to get it though...
-
Fine looking rifle gun! Well done.
-
Very Very nice!!! _
-
Great rifle Ron!
-
Great Ron!!
You are someone who can make a good kit look even better.
dave
-
Very nice, like the metal finish
-
As usual Ron... very nice!!!
-
I remember when that was for sale. It was a beautiful piece of wood, I would have bought it if I had the money, it's good to see it done so well. It t looks great.
-
Classic
Tim C.
-
Thats nice! I like that double box.
-
Great looking rifle ;D Excellent work
-
I like the box. In fact I like all of gun except for the cheek inlay, for me it really stops the flow in the architecture. I'd rather see a muzzle cap.... ;) Nice mellow antique job too. I think this is the first antiqued one I have seen very nice.
-
But how does she shoot?
-
WOW! That is everything I envisioned in my mind when I saw the raw kits. I love the deep finish on the wood and the metal patina is super. The patchbox and the moon inlay are just right. For someone who doesn't do kits, and didn't spend long, it came out wonderful. Someone is going to be veeeery happy. Best wishes, Marc
-
Very nice job, Ron. Love it.
Bob
-
I really like the finish, both wood and metal.
Looks great to me on that style gun.
Jeff
-
Very nicely done, however, for some reason, I find myself agreeing with Mike on the cheek-piece inlay. Perhaps being so large, it just stands out and removes the flow of the lines. Course, if we were all the same - no variety in that.
-
I have only built guns from T/C, Lyman, CVA, Traditions, etc., but my opinion is OUTSTANDING!!!
-Joe
-
What do you guys think of a pewter decorative nose cap on these rifles like some of the old mountain rifles had along with a patchbox?
I almost have my hand made box completed along with inletting and really want to add the pewter nose cap but don't want to distract from the historical overall appearance of this kit. This is my first build and something that I want to really be proud of when finished. I learned a lot in the class from Jim that I will be able to apply on any future builds. :-\
-
You may have opened a can of works asking for an opinion Mossy, and this is a great place to get them. Some very knowledgeable folks here. If you're going for historical accuracy you'll hear ten arguments for or against just about any question you ask. But it's your rifle. The only opinion that counts is yours. Make it to suit your taste. And good luck!
-
That's real nice, Ron. Thanks so much for sharing the photos. Thanks for the message you sent as well. Your feedback is really appreciated.
All the best,
Jim
-
Nose Caps -
I just looked at the mountain rifle section of Bill Ivie's book of North Carolina rifles.
Here's the answer. From what I can see, maybe 2/3 or 3/4 of the mountain rifles HAVE nose caps. Some look to be poured pewter, some brass, some dark (steel or dark turned brass?).
So, you could go either way.
Hope this helps. Marc
-
I just looked at your photos again Ron. That is one beautiful rifle. A tip of my hat to you and Jim. God Bless, Marc
-
Ron well done. Nice looking rifle. Like that dark stain.
-
Thanks for all the nice comments on the gun. The credit for the architecture has to go to Jim Kibler and his excellent kit. I don't see how he could make it any easier. If all styles of longrifle were available in kits like this, I and a number of others would be out of business.
Mike, as to the cheek piece inlay; I was working on the restoration of an original John Derr rifle at the same time. The simple moon cheekpiece inlay on that rifle was made from a coin rolled out thin and just a couple of simple circular cuts. I liked the simplicity of it, and of course being primarily a PA long rifle builder it is hard for me not to put something on the cheek piece.
I thought about a poured pewter nose cap, but wanted to keep the price down on the gun when I put it up for sale, so I did not put the extra time into doing one.
Mauser06 I have written the process for the Clorox metal finish up a number of times and it has been discussed pro/con here a number of times. I am sure a search for "Clorox metal finishes" will give you all the process. Be careful with Clorox, the fumes are dangerous.
Ron
-
Great job Ron. I am looking forward to seeing you at the KRA show in a couple of weeks.
-
Yes Jim, I am looking forward to it. There is to be a really nice collection of Bucks Co. rifles this year. See you there----Ron