AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: clockman on January 14, 2010, 05:30:12 AM
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OK guys, I haven't posted a rifle till now. I've been one of those lurking on the sides watching what everyone else posts and have been in absolute awe of what I've seen here. I still see alot of places for improvement on the next one but here it is anyway...
I finished this on Christmas Eve for my dad. It’s a contemporary Virginia rifle sporting a blued .40 cal swamped barrel with 14 Kt gold rings on the breech and muzzle. This is also my first real attempt at engraving. I engraved the breech of the barrel and tang along with the patchbox, side plate, trigger bow, toe plate, but plate and a couple of the screws. I stained it with aquafortis and finished it with linseed oil.
It’s my third rifle, so let me know what you think.
-Kevin
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx208%2Fclocksdr%2FLeftSide3.jpg&hash=7c5744e25bcc5117fc3e2a77a4703c9f13a3a478)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx208%2Fclocksdr%2FPatchboxLock2.jpg&hash=80bfab7b23e0918bab2690f8192fa30b503190e5)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx208%2Fclocksdr%2FPatchbox3.jpg&hash=ba07f1e99b507c19aabf469adbf666ca9d65d748)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx208%2Fclocksdr%2FTang.jpg&hash=f415ea35326963d475155206933a64f91172117b)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx208%2Fclocksdr%2FSideplate.jpg&hash=f6a0266fc60356d4581482276b5d7f90b1e0d2a1)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx208%2Fclocksdr%2FName.jpg&hash=de50f43816c866f25ebc9b6723784f176e270f65)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx208%2Fclocksdr%2FStock.jpg&hash=afd95ff52a6a97ef1f1331379ba551bcf872b12e)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx208%2Fclocksdr%2FMuzzle2.jpg&hash=b0e1cb4b6d814eeef52f4913cf6631673001296d)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx208%2Fclocksdr%2FRearPipe2.jpg&hash=63e0b8dc2d14bf7d0d9dcf863241da7fa4bea837)
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First attempt at engraving Huh!! Awesome work!! I can't wait to see the second, and third attempt ;D
I would love to see some pictures of your clocks.
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That hurts, ya know, to see someone make such a nice gun on their third try. I give up. I am going to apply for work at the supermarket produce section.
Great job. Lots of talent, Kevin.
Tom
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Hey Kevin,
That's a beautiful rifle you have there! Excellent engraving all around, smooth lines and scrolls. May I ask why you chose to use only one lock bolt? Did you use store-brand linsee oil or a home brew, it looks good. Thanks for sharing with us.
-Eric
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Kevin.....Wow! Very nice. I'm sure your father is thrilled.
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Way to go, Kevin. Keep up the good work. It looks great. I know your Dad is proud of it.
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not fair.
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Thats the best you can do on your third attempt? Obviously this is not your game, time to move on to another hobby! ;) A beautiful job! thanks for sharing it with us!
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I like the way the color turned out.. Good stuff all around...
Regards
Dave
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It's beautiful, can't beleive the talent!
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Great looking gun!
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I like the rifle a bunch. Good work. I would say you are hooked!!!
Roger Sells
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WOW!GREAT job!
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Kevin,
I'm sure your Dad takes great pride in that rifle and especially as you built it. I built a presentation M1 Garand and presented it to my Father for Christmas back in 1994, so I understand what a labor of love it must have been for you. I'll bet your Dad is one proud Pappa.
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stunning piece!
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Kevin,
A nice work of love for your Dad, I built a 7 mag for my Dad in 1967, but he passed in 1968. Heheld it in his lap petting it like the family cat. I bet your dad is doing the same. Very nice work for this early in the game, you obviously have talent. Don't forget to use a good backer under your sandpaper when working down your silver wire...
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Kevin, I brought the first photo up & said "Holy Sh//!" My wife is in the next room & comes rushing in & says "Whats the matter ?" !! ha ha ha ! Man o Man......... 3rd rifle ? That is VERY humbling and embarassing for me...... Awesome rifle, simply Awesome work........ :o :o
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I'd say you're gettin the hang of it! ;D ;D
Lucky Dad! If he's like mine, he'll show it to EVERYONE he knows.
Jeff
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WOW!
Tim C.
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That's a stunning 3rd rifle - heck, it would be a stunning 30th rifle! What's your background, if you don't mind me asking?
Keep up the great work.
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Extremely nice. Is that a slow rust blued barrel, bolts and screws?
DW
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Beautful work !!!!!! How did you do the gold weddingbands on the barrel?
Best regards
Rolfkt
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Good for you, Kevin. And good for your Dad. That rifle turned out very nice, indeed!
It's about time you showed your work here. You should post up #1 and #2. I happen to know they are pretty darn nice, as well.
-Ron
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Clockman your rifle is awesome and obviously you know how to use tools. I bet your dad got a tear in his eye when he saw it. Great work and a lot of talent.
I've been with this forum for a while now and I have noticed the workmanship of the members growing by leaps and bounds. It just goes to show that the mentors of this forum have done justice to the art of building the American long rifle -- keep up the great work - for quality craftsmanship will never die as long as we have skilled members such as all of you!!!
P.S. -- I've got to get my butt in gear and start producing more flint rifles -- thanks for the wake-up call!!!
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I like it!!
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Amazing Kevin!! :o Beautiful gun and great craftsmanship!!! I just took my three out and dumped them in the trash!!!! :'( :'( ;) ;D
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Well done, well done indeed!
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That's a stunning 3rd rifle - heck, it would be a stunning 30th rifle! What's your background, if you don't mind me asking?
Keep up the great work.
Yeah, I want to know that too. A jeweler? Fine table maker? Awesome work. I think you've found a calling.
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It's stunning but at the same time sickening. 3rd rifle? Makes me want to crawl in a hole and give up!
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Kevin,
Great rifle! I know your Dad will cherish it. I built a pistol for my Dad's Christmas present. I sure hope he doesn't see your rifle. He;ll think i don't love him. Really nice piece. Thanks for posting the pics and welcome to the board. I can't wait to see #4
Ken
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3 guns and you are that skilled??? Holy Cow!!
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Hey guys. Wow, I really didn’t know what to expect when I posted these photos yesterday, you guys are too nice, or maybe you’re just having patience with the new guy. Thanks for all the great comments.
I’ll try to answer some of the questions with this post. Yes this is only the third rifle I’ve built. The first one rarely sees the light of day anymore. I really didn’t know what a rifle should even look like when I built the first one. When I do take it hunting I don’t hesitate to lay it on the ground or whatever, I don’t believe I can do any more damage to it ( I’m really hoping the coyotes might carry it off). The second gun turned out a little better but I still didn’t know anything about engraving (and I still don’t). I used a dull engraver blank that I bought at a flea market and beat the devil out of it and the brass I was working on. Now you see my third attempt…
I really have a great time building rifles but I find that I have to be “in the zone” or I’ll just mess it up. For the past couple of years I’ve been looking for a mentor to help me through designing and carving and just generally telling me what’s right and wrong with a rifle. When I couldn’t find anyone locally I just decided to try by myself. I thought, Heck the only way to learn is to wade on in and the worst that could happen is that I might have to burn a few stocks but I could always recycle the parts. I haven’t burned any stocks yet. But who knows there’s always the fourth gun… My plan is to someday attend some of the NMLRA Gunsmithing Workshops taught by Gary Brumfield, Mark Silver, Wallace Cusler and some of the other great builders ....someday, someday soon.
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Hey Kevin,
That's a beautiful rifle you have there! Excellent engraving all around, smooth lines and scrolls. May I ask why you chose to use only one lock bolt? Did you use store-brand linsee oil or a home brew, it looks good. Thanks for sharing with us.
-Eric
Why did I use only one lock bolt? Because I still don’t know what I’m doing. I did use boiled linseed oil from Lowes. I stripped it several times because I didn’t like the results I was getting and finally used very thin coats and stopped before I got disgusted.
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That's a stunning 3rd rifle - heck, it would be a stunning 30th rifle! What's your background, if you don't mind me asking?
Keep up the great work.
Swampwalker and Model19 : My background? I'm a Police Captain in charge of narcotics investigations.
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Beautful work !!!!!! How did you do the gold weddingbands on the barrel?
Best regards
Rolfkt
I used a milling maching to cut the slots in the barrel and then under cut dovetails with a graver. Then I used 14 kt wedding rings and beat the devil of them. Then filled them flush.
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Extremely nice. Is that a slow rust blued barrel, bolts and screws?
DW
The Barrel bolts and screws are hot blued. It's the only thing I didn't do. (haven't had the urge to try that yet)
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Quote from Clockman:
"I find that I have to be “in the zone” or I’ll just mess it up." "I'm a Police Captain in charge of narcotics investigations"
AHA! So that's what happens to those confiscated drugs! I knew it couldn't be that much talent on just the third rifle! You're busted Captain!
Seriously, that rifle is absolutely stunning. And your talent is amazing. I can't wait to see the next rifle.
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Why it just don't make no sense!! Real artists are born. Guess you qualify.
[/quote]Swampwalker and Model19 : My background? I'm a Police Captain in charge of narcotics investigations.
[/quote]
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I think you did a real nice job on the patch box and engraving.
Looks great.
Marc
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Simply stunning.
I am always so impressed to hear of someone giving/receiving such a great from the heart gift. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with us:)