Recent Posts

11

Black Powder Shooting / Re: September online match

« Last post by foresterdj on Today at 02:19:08 AM »

My poor entries. .54 Jaeger, Moody barrel 1:30 twist, 80 gr FFg, 0.018" patch one target with neatsfoot lube, one with dish soap solution lube (the better one), mostly .530 RB, bench off elbows 50 yards.
 First target 3 & 7/16ths, neatsfoot lube





Second target 2 & 3/4, dawn soap solution lube

12

Gun Building / Re: Violin Making: As It Was and Is

« Last post by Martin S. on Today at 01:41:23 AM »

I am continually impressed by the ability and talent of the people on this forum.

Well done on the violin.

13

Gun Building / Re: Violin Making: As It Was and Is

« Last post by okawbow on Today at 01:27:54 AM »

I’ve made quite a few violins and believe most of the sound that comes from Stradavari violins is due to them being over 300 years old and having been worked on and fine tuned by the best luthiers in the world. Most don’t retain the original varnish. Most have been modified and rebuilt several times. In blind sound tests; few people can tell the difference between the Stads and a really good modern made violin. Here’s one I finished this year, made from materials I harvested myself. ( except for the ebony) I use the same ground mixture and varnish on my flintlocks. Here’s one I finished this year.

14

Items for Sale/Wanted / Re: Powder Horn Books for sale

« Last post by rich pierce on Today at 01:04:47 AM »

Swayze book sold to Martin.

15

Gun Building / Re: Violin Making: As It Was and Is

« Last post by Leatherbark on Today at 12:43:43 AM »

For what it is worth, I read where scientists figured out how to make a modern-day Stradivarius by reading directions from the maker from back in the day using the same wood.  But the newly made ones would never sound the same as an original.  Seems the original maker (Stradivarius?) left specific instructions but failed to leave the formula for the varnish he used.  Seems scientists figured out his varnish was what makes the Stradivarius violin sound unique.  They cannot replicate that varnish. Something about the way it dries and the sound waves and the varnish's dried texture.

16

Gun Building / Re: Violin Making: As It Was and Is

« Last post by wvcruffler on Today at 12:33:48 AM »

I have read this one and a few others as I mess about with oil and spirit varnishes. With repsect to musket and rifle finishes from the flintlock era most of what I can find is that largely they are most often a drying oil (linseed oil, tung oil), a resin that add hardness (pine resin, copal, colophony) and a thinner (traditionally turpentine - I usually use white mineral spirits).

I have 2 sets of "old school" oil varnishes - one set are copal varnishes where I melted copal then boiled to the point of heavy oxidation the mixture of sweidsh BLO (no dryers added) and the copal. One of these I alos added calcium oxide to raise the pH and raise the melting point of the mixture. One of these spent a short period of time on fire as I was unable to contain a small boil over that became a little flame up. Since this was planned for in advance I set a large lid on my gum pot and it went out without needed to grab the fire extiguisher (also handy!) mind you I run these gums in the gravel driveway on my farm away from buildings. The other resin varnish is colophony and BLO.  On all of them I used white mineral spirits because good turpentine is EXPENSIVE!

The best one so far is the one I caught on fire!! Its dark brown and dries in 24 hours. It's a little too thick but my wood testers are small so hand rubbing the finish is no problem.

I also have BLO+Rosin pentaeryhtritol ester (aka Permalyn). This one dries pretty slowly and TBH I don't love it. But its a modern more waterproof finish.

In the pipeline I have most of the gums for spirit varnishes that were reportedly used as an "sealing coat", often containing color like alkanet used on kentucky rifles. Again, pretty sparse information available. Shellac, gum mastic, sandarac, etc.).  I did this on my Woodrunner (tinted shellac under a commercial BLO) and it love how it turned out.

Anyway, if anyone reads this and would like a sample of the oil varnish to play with I'll send you some free. Would love to get some ciritcal input on it.

drPhil

17

Black Powder Shooting / Re: Straight rifling

« Last post by axelp on Today at 12:08:26 AM »

I have a fowler 62 cal with straight rifling. It was made for me a few years back and its a good shooter and lighter weight than my Chambers PA Fowler. 46" Barrel is thin and light. The stock is cherry and shaped like a french Tulle, but it has an early Ketland lock. I wanted something that resembled a colonial made fowler with restocked parts. It handles well and I have taken squirrels with it using shot. I had a rear sight put on it as well. Its a joy to carry in the woods. I have not shot roundball much out of it.

Ken

18

Items for Sale/Wanted / Re: Powder Horn Books for sale

« Last post by Martin S. on September 21, 2025, 11:54:20 PM »

PM sent for the Swayze book.

19

Black Powder Shooting / Re: Wearing a single glove on the support hand for NMLRA offhand?

« Last post by Bill in Md on September 21, 2025, 11:54:08 PM »

So technically, if  "offhand" meant "off the hands"; can we assume that the butt of the rifle cannot touch the shoulder either?.....

20

Antique Gun Collecting / Re: Rifle id help.

« Last post by Tanselman on September 21, 2025, 11:07:46 PM »

The John Jr. rifles I've seen have low combs like this one has, but much more exaggerated butt plates with extended heels and later, deeper curvature.

Shelby Gallien