Edward Marshall gun

[bob in the woods]

I'm working on my E.M. kit from Chambers. The photos in RCA #1 indicate a heavy stock. Unfortunately, there are no real measurements of the key areas. [ Unlike most of the other rifles in the book]
I;d like to know just how much wood I can take off this stock, without going overboard.
Are there any measurements of the original available?

[Jim Chambers]

I made measurements of the original rifle before I did the kit.  Later, Houston Harrison took my measurements, rubbings, photos, etc. and did a full scale drawing with measurements of the rifle.  I'm sure those drawings are available from one of the catalog companies, Track, Muzzleloader Builder's Supply, etc.

[Acer Saccharum]

I saw Oerter's guns, the Lion and Lamb, and the Griffon gun, and they were a full 1 5/8 thru the wrist. Big robust rifles.

[bob in the woods]

Thank you Mr. Chambers. In other words, the kit is pretty close to the original as is, [ witj the normal allowance for finishing etc]   The wrist does look massive in the RCA book.  The kit as received is a work of art. With the buttplate on and the barrel installed, it shoulders like a dream. Mine is in .62 cal and will be my moose rifle.
I wanted to check re the dimensions because..on the 2nd NE Fowler I built, I took a lot more wood off, than my 1st;[ at Barbie's suggestion], and it is a beautifully balanced piece. It is a joy to carry and shoot.

[rsells]

I have a set of milar drawings that came from Houston Harrison's work somewhere around here.  If you can not get copies from one of the catalog folks, send me a note at rbpodge@twlakes.net and I will see if I can find mine.  I haven't seen them since I moved 19 years ago.  I used the drawings to build a Marshal rifle back in the early 80's and the rifle is very robust.  I did pull the dimensions around the wrist and lock area down a bit to make it more pleasing to the eye and feel better to me.  I liked the finished product and wish many times that I had not sold it.  I am not sure how long milar drawings will stay clear enough to use.  I threw the paper versions away a few years ago because they had faded and were of no use.
                                                                                        Roger Sells

[bob in the woods]

Thanks to all for your help. With a little carving , etc the gun actually starts  to look slimmer than it really is.
Wrist is about 1/16 under 1 5/8th and the gun shoulders and feels wonderful. Not making this real fancy
since she'll spend a fair amount of time in the bottom of a canoe. I expect I'll have her ready for moose this fall. The Rice .62 cal Marshal barrel is a work of art in itself.