AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Mike Brooks on July 12, 2018, 05:38:00 PM
-
Never built one of these before but I've studied on them for a while now. This one is a warm up for another I have planed. The main thing I have learned so far is how little I knew about this school, the architecture is incredibly complex. I am intrigued with this particular carving technique, incised with contoured parts below the main grade, very interesting. Getting ready to slap a Lehigh star on the cheek piece today. The box will be surrounded by thickish tapered brass wire in scrolls , which is typical for some guns in this school. I'll probably make some silver nails for accents in the wire design as well, as was done on these guns. BTW the box is a pre made from TDC, wanted to save some time there. You'll notice the ugliness that popped out ahead of the box as I was shaping it down, gives it some character I guess. Has a Colerain B weight barrel in .50 smoothbore, siler lock, my castings from reeves castings of a Nierhardt gun. about a 13 1/4" pull and weighs about 7 3/8 lbs or so. Shoulders well, I don't think it will be a cheek slapper, but we'll see won't we? ;) Any and all comments are welcome and encouraged.
I got about 1000 hours in this so far....yeah, that's the ticket, I got a 1000 hours in it already, I'll probably have to ask high 5 figures for it when it's done. With the wire I might have to go near 6 figures.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2F0703%2FGunmaker%2FDSCF2167_zpspcnr9nh6.jpg&hash=b35b64e2f01c453d0c6d20b6cb9b6ae7ce829f00)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2F0703%2FGunmaker%2FDSCF2168_zpshcynj9wx.jpg&hash=b6983e71af43617e5c6c4d1f2a21eca4b24c48eb)
-
Oh Yeah!!! Looking real good so far!! Those aren't easy by any means. I have a hard time believing that , you got this far in only 1000hrs. ;) Should be a dandy!! Keep us posted. Will you still talk to us peons , when you break 6 figures? ??? Just had to ask ::)
-
I really like the architecture of Lehigh rifles. I think the one you're working on looks fantastic, "ugliness in front of the patch box" and all. It is a unique school of rifles, I didn't realize this until after I bought a Herman Rupp kit from MBS. Now I'm afraid to touch it until I learn quite a bit more about gun building so it remains boxed up. I like the carving you've done, it looks really clean and crisp, can't wait to see updates.
K.C.
-
Carving looks terrific!
-
Can't wait to see this one finished, nice work!!
Al J.
-
Hey Mike,
I recently saw a fossilized roll of electrical tape found in the remnants of Herman Rupp's shop in Trexlertown. I wouldn't have known that he was using it for patchbox openers until I saw your work, great PC touch....
All the best
Ron
-
Hey Mike,
I recently saw a fossilized roll of electrical tape found in the remnants of Herman Rupp's shop in Trexlertown. I wouldn't have known that he was using it for patchbox openers until I saw your work, great PC touch....
All the best
Ron
Yeap, handy stuff. ;) Some of the tape I have is so old it may have come from Rupp's shop.Once you drive the PB door latch lever in it makes it so the buttplate never comes off again.....or at least I can't figure out a way to do it, but I didn't graduate at the top of my class.. Once I get the BP polished out the tape will be gone.
-
Nice carving Mike. Next one should be a even better. Tim
-
Mike in The gunsmith of Greenville, Peter Alexander builds a Lehigh. Might be worth a look..!
His dvds are very good !! Might help get that six figures your after..!
Looking good so far.. The electrical tape just adds more bling to it....!
Oldtravler
-
Mike in The gunsmith of Greenville, Peter Alexander builds a Lehigh. Might be worth a look..!
His dvds are very good !!
Oldtravler
Like that will ever happen. ;)
-
$99.998, tops! Great job on the carving Mike, looks good and fits the era. She doesn't look like a cheek slapper, but what do I know about Lehigh's, about the sum total of zilch.
cheers, outward and onward.
dave
-
Mike in The gunsmith of Greenville, Peter Alexander builds a Lehigh. Might be worth a look..!
His dvds are very good !!
Oldtravler
Like that will ever happen. ;)
;D
-
Since I have gotten some inquiries, this particular gun is not for sale at this time. I don't have a ML at this time and this one looks like it will be fun to play with so it's MINE ;D. Besides, I'll have to set it aside soon and go back to making a living building other peoples guns!
-
Mike, what kind of silver are you going to use for your wire inlay?
Bob
-
Mike, that's some very nice whittling.
-
Mike, what kind of silver are you going to use for your wire inlay?
Bob
I'm using brass, it was pretty commonly used in this area as well as silver. In fact the UPS driver just dropped off the brass sheet I'm going to use, I didn't have anything the right thickness. I was going to cut some out of .032 and beat it out thinner but that seemed like too much work..... :P
Got the big Lehigh star over the cheek piece now, in the middle of engraving it before I realized I was soaking wet from sweating....sure sign it's time to quit for the day!
-
Mike,
I love how you just whipped out a little Lehigh.
The carving looks great! Very Lehigh.
Jeff
-
I really like the composition of that carving.
-
Very Nice Mikey. Lehighs are complicated but then so are the English fowlers you build. Can't wait to see it done.
dave
-
Never built one of these before but I've studied on them for a while now. This one is a warm up for another I have planed. The main thing I have learned so far is how little I knew about this school, the architecture is incredibly complex. I am intrigued with this particular carving technique, incised with contoured parts below the main grade, very interesting. Getting ready to slap a Lehigh star on the cheek piece today. The box will be surrounded by thickish tapered brass wire in scrolls , which is typical for some guns in this school. I'll probably make some silver nails for accents in the wire design as well, as was done on these guns. BTW the box is a pre made from TDC, wanted to save some time there. You'll notice the ugliness that popped out ahead of the box as I was shaping it down, gives it some character I guess. Has a Colerain B weight barrel in .50 smoothbore, siler lock, my castings from reeves castings of a Nierhardt gun. about a 13 1/4" pull and weighs about 7 3/8 lbs or so. Shoulders well, I don't think it will be a cheek slapper, but we'll see won't we? ;) Any and all comments are welcome and encouraged.
I got about 1000 hours in this so far....yeah, that's the ticket, I got a 1000 hours in it already, I'll probably have to ask high 5 figures for it when it's done. With the wire I might have to go near 6 figures.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2F0703%2FGunmaker%2FDSCF2167_zpspcnr9nh6.jpg&hash=b35b64e2f01c453d0c6d20b6cb9b6ae7ce829f00)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2F0703%2FGunmaker%2FDSCF2168_zpshcynj9wx.jpg&hash=b6983e71af43617e5c6c4d1f2a21eca4b24c48eb)
Trying to learn here , is that unevenness on the comb and perch belly look in the wrist supposed to be there ? Very nice work .,,,,Ron Wehmeyer .
-
Yes, the architecture is correct I believe, although the curvature on the top and bottom I took from some of the more severe of the original guns I have pictures of. Represents a later gun with that much curve. The earlier ones were much more straight top and bottom. These are also diamond shape through the wrist, on this one it can be felt better than seen. The wrist is also wider than high all things which you fellows familiar with Lehighs already knew long before I did.
-
I defer to Eric on the PB latch button as far as technique goes, but the way I did it was to put the lever through the BP first and then install the BP with the lever loose. You can't remove the BP without removing the lever, and you can't install the lever with the BP in place.
1000 hours huh. You must be an attorney!
-
Mike , As everyone has stated your smoothrifle is SUPER ! Your bench however, is as messy as mine ??? . Well , maybe not quite as messy , but " well worked in" ;) . I DO clean my shop too! but, I don`t like to let cleaning get too much in the way of work ;) ;D . I envy those guys with the spotless shops ::) , but I get over it as soon as I click on the next topic ::)!!!
-
Put in 13" of brass wire inlay scrolls around the box today in 5 hrs including lay out and putting in brass and silver nails on the end of the tendrils. 93* in the shop when I finally quit. Going fishing tomorrow!
As usual, I find brass wire much more difficult to do than sterling. Work hardens quick, usually at least two annealings per scroll to get it into the stock, has a lot to do with the tapered ends. Was working with .020, thinking a little thicker might have looked more like the originals, but it's in. Next up is outlining the forward finial and going up the wrist. Pictures to come. (tomorrow)
CLEANING THE BENCH! NOT LIKELY! Cuts into profits! ;D
-
The box release inletting should have enough slack and space in the slot under the bp to install it with the buttplate installed. I just kind of lever/slide them on in by "hooking" it, kind of like getting a big piece of furniture through a narrower doorway. I've never had one so tightly inlet that I couldnt get it in with the buttplate screwed in place; tight inletting here means swollen damp end grain is might bind up your box spring. A large enough head on the spring should cover up a necessary sized slot. The springy end driven into the wood is tapered and thin, and you can use either mildly carbon springy steel or you can even use plain low carbon and just work harden the $#@* out if it by drawing it out and tapering it. Now just leave it like that while you're building the gun, so you can always hook a thin screwdriver blade under the head and pry it back out if necessary. When everything is complete, gun finished etc., I pull it out and tightly clamp the tapered end in a vise with just a portion sticking up out of the jaws. Take a really sharp, small cold chisel and raise up a couple of barbs on the very thin tapered end that will be in the wood. Then drive it back in place, tapping carefully until you get it just where you want it. Done, and it won't fall out.
Caveat, I have had the opportunity to take apart a couple of guns with this type of box/release, I mean completely take apart, and the box springs can practical be removed by pinching your fingernails and yanking. They're not crazy permanently anchored in there; no other way to get off the buttplate and I sure wanted to see under some of those buttplates.
-
That's interesting, I figures once I drove that spring in that would be it. I have the spring already to go I just figured i'd have to wait a while to drive it in.
-
The box release inletting should have enough slack and space in the slot under the bp to install it with the buttplate installed. I just kind of lever/slide them on in by "hooking" it, kind of like getting a big piece of furniture through a narrower doorway. I've never had one so tightly inlet that I couldnt get it in with the buttplate screwed in place; tight inletting here means swollen damp end grain is might bind up your box spring. A large enough head on the spring should cover up a necessary sized slot. The springy end driven into the wood is tapered and thin, and you can use either mildly carbon springy steel or you can even use plain low carbon and just work harden the $#@* out if it by drawing it out and tapering it. Now just leave it like that while you're building the gun, so you can always hook a thin screwdriver blade under the head and pry it back out if necessary. When everything is complete, gun finished etc., I pull it out and tightly clamp the tapered end in a vise with just a portion sticking up out of the jaws. Take a really sharp, small cold chisel and raise up a couple of barbs on the very thin tapered end that will be in the wood. Then drive it back in place, tapping carefully until you get it just where you want it. Done, and it won't fall out.
Caveat, I have had the opportunity to take apart a couple of guns with this type of box/release, I mean completely take apart, and the box springs can practical be removed by pinching your fingernails and yanking. They're not crazy permanently anchored in there; no other way to get off the buttplate and I sure wanted to see under some of those buttplates.
Eric, Thanks for explaining this. I have built a few with the spring /latch like this. I have never had the chance to see an original . I incorrectly used a screw , to hold the spring in place , because I was afraid once I drove the spring in , it was over! Thanks for your input. Nate
-
I used a hot blade, smaller then the spring end, to burn a slot in the wood to receive the spring. I also barb the spring end.
-
I've seen a few on different guns held in with little brads or nails and I definitely think Ive seen one or two with a screw but can't say for absolute certain - it's tough to remember all this stuff!
-
Looks like I might get some stain and finish on this little beastie today. Anybody want to learn how to draw file a Colerain barrel? I just want to do the pointing and somebody else do the drawing...... ;)
-
Holy cow that’s nice. I’m using your tutorial and now have two fine reference pictures to go along. Good pictures of that wrist are hard to come by. I’m planning to have the first ever Mike Brooks inspired Lehigh.
-
Holy cow that’s nice. I’m using your tutorial and now have two fine reference pictures to go along. Good pictures of that wrist are hard to come by. I’m planning to have the first ever Mike Brooks inspired Lehigh.
Well, you're looking at the only Brooks built Lehigh ever. I'd look to A. Martin for examples rather than my work. Either of the Erics would be excellent references as well.
-
Here's some pics just before the stain.
(https://preview.ibb.co/fvjXR8/DSCF2172.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hU4ozT)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mxcVDo/DSCF2173.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jP2xto)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mVoFeT/DSCF2174.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hjKcto)
(https://image.ibb.co/hHUMKT/DSCF2175.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kspcto)
(https://preview.ibb.co/iyhrKT/DSCF2176.jpg) (https://ibb.co/eyV0Do)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cDnQeT/DSCF2177.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ko2DYo)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dY2DYo/DSCF2178.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jx7fDo)
(https://preview.ibb.co/bOinto/DSCF2179.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jyybm8)
-
Really nice, Mike!!
Ed
-
Excellent work Mike
Can't wait to see the finished rifle.
-
Fabulous!
Tim C.
-
Agree with everyone. Special!
-
Thanks all. Sure looks different stained!
-
I’ll bet it does, Mike fine looking rifle.
Bob
-
That's gonna be a real beauty, Mike! HEY, it already is. That Lehigh "star" inlay really makes it POP.
-
Looks like I might get some stain and finish on this little beastie today. Anybody want to learn how to draw file a Colerain barrel? I just want to do the pointing and somebody else do the drawing...... ;)
Out of sheer boredom, I figured out that a Colerain barrel can be draw filed one handed. It takes twice as long to do but can be done. Will see how sanding goes. I’ve got nothing else to do!!
-
Looks like I might get some stain and finish on this little beastie today. Anybody want to learn how to draw file a Colerain barrel? I just want to do the pointing and somebody else do the drawing...... ;)
Out of sheer boredom, I figured out that a Colerain barrel can be draw filed one handed. It takes twice as long to do but can be done. Will see how sanding goes. I’ve got nothing else to do!!
Took me about 2 1/2 hours. This one was really bad, had to cross file first then draw file. Shoulders were really complaining but luckily no ill effects afterword. I cut the dovetails for the sights then bashed it up a bit before I hung it in the rust box. The bashing part was the fun part. ;D It occurred to me while I was laboring away that although Colerain barrels are cheaper they certainly aren't a "deal" in the end. There's almost $100 labor to file them out. :o
I'd sure hate to do one of these one handed. :P
-
Ok, all done now. Lightly antiqued and mellowed. It has it's various warts but I think it came off well overall. Learned a whole lot on this one and could probably learn a whole lot more on the next one as well. This one was supposed to have a wood box when it was in the planning stage, things just got away from me a bit. Ended up at 7lbs and 4oz. Very comfortable to handle and it won't be a cheek slapper which was my main worry.
I have only 2800 hours in it......wait, I was confused :o....I actually have 75 hours in it which is pretty typical for me for a gun of this decoration level.
This gun will be at the CLA if you want to see/handle it in person.
Hold on a minute, forgot to resize my pics...... ::)
Ok, got 'er done. As always all comments and questions are welcome.
(https://preview.ibb.co/j9Dvae/DSCF2182.jpg) (https://ibb.co/junz1K)
(https://preview.ibb.co/g5o6gK/DSCF2183.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fJVK1K)
(https://preview.ibb.co/byTTve/DSCF2185.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kiAxoz)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cXqK1K/DSCF2186.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fEsXMK)
(https://preview.ibb.co/jeCz1K/DSCF2187.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cap1Fe)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dHf8ve/DSCF2188.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fxze1K)
(https://preview.ibb.co/bNTHoz/DSCF2189.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bVBFae)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dZVaae/DSCF2190.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fFo6gK)
(https://preview.ibb.co/m1F8ve/DSCF2191.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bNYvae)
(https://preview.ibb.co/gg7GgK/DSCF2193.jpg) (https://ibb.co/i01bgK)
(https://preview.ibb.co/iwEkae/DSCF2194.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fr3dve)
(https://preview.ibb.co/jOewgK/DSCF2195.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cfg91K)
(https://preview.ibb.co/j13dve/DSCF2196.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bRop1K)
(https://preview.ibb.co/hO308z/DSCF2198.jpg) (https://ibb.co/crGbgK)
(https://preview.ibb.co/egqf8z/DSCF2200.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jxB91K)
(https://image.ibb.co/fVTNMK/DSCF2201.jpg) (https://ibb.co/noYYTz)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dgUU1K/DSCF2202.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hSz7oz)
(https://image.ibb.co/m9H5ae/DSCF2203.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
-
Did I say "Fabulous"? Must be a better word.
Tim
-
Did I say "Fabulous"? Must be a better word.
Tim
Oh, I don't think I'd go quite that far. :P
-
Well, no comments other than I like it, a lot!
We need a, "show us your Lehigh's", thread.
Robin
-
How about "masterful"? ;) Very nice. Love the colors, brass wire turned out great too. Your Liberty Lady is a quiet gal... has no mouth (by design, I bet ;D ) and big buggy E.T. eyes, but I like her!
-
Mike, Very Nicely Done!! Someone is going to be thrilled with that one! I like the open front muzzle cap also . GOOD JOB!!!! Nate
-
Fine looking work, ’Mike. I look forward to seeing it and you at Lex. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Bob
-
That's a beautiful rifle. Everything about it is nice. Is the below info correct to see the rifle in person?
Friday, August 17, 2018 Show opens at 8:00 am until 7:00 pm Saturday, August 18, 2018 Show opens at 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Members only (Non-members may join at the show for a prorated membership fee of $20.00.) Location Grand Ball Room Lexington Convention Center 400 West Vine Street Lexington, KY
-
Mike very nice work. Sure like the stain. Turned out great.
So are you bringing it to the CLA ? Hope to see it. Well done !!
Oldtravler
-
Just spent the last half hour studying the photos, trying to figure out what I like best. Finally gave up and realized it’s the whole package. Really nice rifle, Mike. Think I’ll go back and look some more!
Ed
-
Somehow I have the feeling that you were never "lost" Mike, not like "lost in the woods" anyway. I think you were lost in the making, so involved in making Lady Lehigh there that you didn't want to be found.
She is beautymus from nose to toe. I keep looking at your gun and going wow!
dave
-
Not bad work for an old chicken farmer. Like Ed said, there is a lot to look at. I especially like the finish.
David
-
I can’t wait to see it!
Hopefully the gun will like it here at Stoner Creek and decide it wants to stay!! ;D
-
Mike, I truly enjoy the tang and fore-end carving you've done on her. I had something very similar kicking around in the back of my mind, and you have clarified it well for me.
Envious of your skills and artistic abilities.
-
I learn something every time I follow one of these build threads by one of the pros here on ALR. This time, among many other things, I learned that a little mineral staining (I think you called it "ugliness in front of the patch box") is no reason to pass on a stock blank. That turned out to be a great looking rifle. Nicely done.
K.C.
-
That's a beautiful rifle. Everything about it is nice. Is the below info correct to see the rifle in person?
Friday, August 17, 2018 Show opens at 8:00 am until 7:00 pm Saturday, August 18, 2018 Show opens at 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Members only (Non-members may join at the show for a prorated membership fee of $20.00.) Location Grand Ball Room Lexington Convention Center 400 West Vine Street Lexington, KY
I believe that's correct. It will be there all day Friday. You can carry it around for a while if you want to. ;)
-
Mike very nice work. Sure like the stain. Turned out great.
So are you bringing it to the CLA ? Hope to see it. Well done !!
Oldtravler
Yes, I and that gun will be there all day Friday. I'll have a nice Carolina gun with me for sale as well with a English walnut stock.
-
YUM! That's just Delicious! And I'm trying not to say...w o w, but I couldn't help myself. Inspirational too.
-
I learn something every time I follow one of these build threads by one of the pros here on ALR. This time, among many other things, I learned that a little mineral staining (I think you called it "ugliness in front of the patch box") is no reason to pass on a stock blank. That turned out to be a great looking rifle. Nicely done.
K.C.
This piece of wood would win the Ugly Board Award at Dixon's hands down. Those ugly spots popped up out of nowhere, then there are checks from drying all over this gun. One on the left side of the tang, another at the top of the BP on the left side, one in the wrist on the right side and a monster on the left side running above the box finial up into the comb hollow that the wire runs through several times. All of them are stable and will present no issues with the strength of the gun. IMO They actually lend themselves well to the antiquing. I was aware of the checks when I laid out the gun, I thought they would "build out" for the most part as I went and they nearly did. I was aware of all of them and chose this piece of wood because I wanted a racey looking gun with out the distraction of curl. I've got a couple projects coming up that have super tight vivid curl coming up and didn't want to wear myself out on this one.
-
Why the gaps between metal and wood at the end of the muzzle? Wood to metal fit is perfect everywhere else. You have the skill to make it perfect there too.
-
I applaud the beauty and logic in your choice of plain wood. The obsession with curl gets rather wearisome. Deformed, neglected blanks all over the Nation are celebrating! Looking forward to hefting that Lehigh at CLA.
-
Hi Mike,
Very nicely done! I like the little extra drop at the toe. Your carving and silver wire inlay are very well done.
dave
-
Why the gaps between metal and wood at the end of the muzzle? Wood to metal fit is perfect everywhere else. You have the skill to make it perfect there too.
My work is far from perfect, if it was I'd move on to something else. I work rapidly in a workman like manner, which is what I see in old guns. All I can tell you is those gaps are exceptable to me, I could have easily soldered an end cap on and hid the whole end, but it just doesn't seem that important to me.
It is what it is, no excuses.
-
Hi Mike,
Very nicely done! I like the little extra drop at the toe. Your carving and silver wire inlay are very well done.
dave
That is brass wire and it was quite a struggle. Silver is so much easier to work with and gives far better results. With silver I cut off any excess above the wood with very sharp wood chisel. With brass this doesn't work because it has work hardened just from the process of getting it into the stock, even with a couple annealings. So I had to file and sand it all down to wood level which left burrs here and there which really annoyed me since I spent all kinds of time tapering the ends which didn't show up well in the end. Also, for this particular school thicker wire was often used, I used .020 and might well have went to maybe .026 or .032. Re thinking this now, I think I need to adjust my tools so they cut the groove a bit deeper so I can get the wire even with the wood surface, didn't occur to me at the time.
It is what it is. I think overall it came off well. I sure learned a lot, which is why I built this particular gun anyway.
Things I learned:
Lehigh architecture. I had the buttstock shaped three different times and each time thought it was good. Next day I go out to the shop and take off tons more wood. I think I finally got it skinny enough. Also I was experimenting with just getting the architecture over all right, all those weird profile curves, V shaped forend, little short cheek piece, diamond shaped wrist. I think I got it mostly right AND it's not a cheek slapper which was a big priority
I wanted to try this tapered brass wire thing they had going on in Lehigh. I think more experimenting might get me where I need to be with it.
I wanted to explore this particular form of incised/molded carving. I have never held an original done this way so I don't know if I hit it or not but I was pleased how it came out.
I was curious about the patchbox release mechanism, got that down.
Also was experimenting with the barrel finish but nobody made any comment about it so I'll assume it is acceptable.
I actually enjoyed the entire build which doesn't always happen. The wire was annoying at times and I had to walk away from it a couple times but hey, it's in there now! ;D There will be more Lehighs in the future!
-
Mike, is there a particular table where you will be at the CLA show?
-
I wanted to ask about the barrel finish but thought it might be a secret or I might be out of line asking those type of specifics. How did you do it? I'm debating on an in the white lock with a boiled black browned barrel or a cold blued rubbed back lock and barrel. My goal with the rubbed back blued barrel was to get what you have.
-
Mike, is there a particular table where you will be at the CLA show?
I'll just be stumbling up and down the aisles.
-
I wanted to ask about the barrel finish but thought it might be a secret or I might be out of line asking those type of specifics. How did you do it? I'm debating on an in the white lock with a boiled black browned barrel or a cold blued rubbed back lock and barrel. My goal with the rubbed back blued barrel was to get what you have.
Laurel Mt. Forge browning solution. 2 coats this time instead of three. It's really been getting crusty with three coats lately and too much work to get back off. I left a lot of the brown on and mainly took it off the corners, still leaving a pitted texture on the corners. The browning that's left actually has a plum color in person which is what I after. I bashed in some nicks and dings along the way to add to the antique appearance.
-
Well, no comments other than I like it, a lot!
We need a, "show us your Lehigh's", thread.
Robin
There's a nice one that popped up on TOTW by Michael Hayes. Very nice and coincidentally, the same carving as mine. ???
-
Mike - Are you planning to bring it to Princeton this weekend? Would like to get a look at it.
-
Unfortunately , it looks like I won't make Princeton this time.
-
Beautiful rifle. That insized carving looks like a real Challenge.
Best regards
Rolf
-
Very bonny work on a very complex build, Mike.
Very clean carving......it's just like you knew what you were doing! LOL.
Never could work like "The Gunsmith Of Grenville County" myself. He Measures stuff! :-)
One of the cleanest builds I've seen, Mike. Clever lad!
-
Very bonny work on a very complex build, Mike.
Very clean carving......it's just like you knew what you were doing! LOL.
Never could work like "The Gunsmith Of Grenville County" myself. He Measures stuff! :-)
One of the cleanest builds I've seen, Mike. Clever lad!
Thanks!
Haven't seen you around in a while.
-
Computer been sick for a month Mike. Just got it back a day or so ago....
-
That's a wonderful looking rifle. Congratulations on a job well done!
-
Mike, Is your locked finished the same as your barrel? The finish on that barrel and lock go well together. I don’t have LMF Brown but I do have Tracks tried and true. It was a cake walk to use and pretty easy to tell when it was finished doing its thang.
-
Mike, Is your locked finished the same as your barrel? The finish on that barrel and lock go well together. I don’t have LMF Brown but I do have Tracks tried and true. It was a cake walk to use and pretty easy to tell when it was finished doing its thang.
Yep, both treated the same way.