saw handle dueling pistols compleat

[blunderbuss]

 



I posted these awhile back with one of them incomplete now they're about finished still alittle tweaking left . They are .50 smooth bore 1" across the flats late period dueling pistols They have wrap around checkering . They were made with heavy barrels to try and avoid shooting high.They also have black horn noise caps and iron furnature (Nothing flashy on a dueling pistol) I've fired one of them and at 10 paces you'd never know it was a smooth bore. In dueling one held the pistol down at ones side and brought it up, you had about 4 seconds to fire.If you lock your wrist and bring it up, with a little practice, you'd be right on.

[alyce-james]

I have always wanted to make this style pistol but as of this writing I have not even started one. I do have the walnut stock wood on hand. This pair look good to me, nice job. How was the barrels finished ?? They look great. The pictures may be the trigger to jump start me on a saw handle project. Nice job. AJ

[blunderbuss]

The barrels were finished with the damascus striping using browning solution and a browning bluing remover . I took the barrel dimensions from an original source. I haven't shot the second one yet but the first one was holding up to 50 yards. Being heavy helps with wobble ,provided you only have to hold it there for around 4 seconds.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

If making one pistol like that is "X" amount of work, making the pair is not "2X"...more like "4X".  Your pistol architecture looks good, but I don't care for the drum and nipple, nor the choice of locks.  From your photograph, it looks like you've done well with the chequering.
Now, a case with accessories...

[blunderbuss]

 These are my dental plan at work the first one is for a root canal the second is for a cracked tooth. When I started them I was flat broke and needed tooth work. I found a first rate dentist that would work for guns. I just had to work with what I had on hand and do it with in a budget . The locks are not bad locks I'm just glad I had two alike.
 One of these days I'm planning another earlier type brass barrel pair for myself silver mounted with horn noise cap, and hand made flint locks. The case will be for another root canal no doubt.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

You had great motivation - that's certain!  I'm excited to see your next work...so keep it coming.

[alyce-james]

What how to technique was used to produce the final Damascus appearance ?? Thanks,  AJ

[blunderbuss]

There is a tutorial on this some where on ALR but I just brown the barrel and depending on the type of Damascus I want is how creative I get. I've used string or brushes to apply the rust remover. basically if you screw up you can just sand it off and start over. Get an old piece of barrel and a picture of an original Damascus barrel and make yours look like the picture. Henry Derringer used some form of this on his little pistols. I did a double shotgun years ago and over the years it just got better looking.

[Collector]

Just make sure he doesn't scrimp on the gas!!    I like them.  A saw-handled target piece was the first BP pistol I ever shot, so I've got a soft spot for them.

[alyce-james]

Good enough Blunderbuss. The information you shared will enable me to do a nice Damascus barrel job. Thanks again. Jim

[blunderbuss]

Good enough Blunderbuss. The information you shared will enable me to do a nice Damascus barrel job. Thanks again. Jim

Good Jim send me some pictures

[Glenn]

Great job Dennis, to say the least.  You finshed the second pistol pretty quick considering.  Your checkering in enviable.  I like the locks and the horn nose caps.  I'm sure the dentist will be happy, but I do agree that after all that work and attention to detail a brace box is in order ... 

Give me a chance to check them out before they ge to the dentist please.

[blunderbuss]

 I'm still tweaking the duelers will start the blunderbuss for the Navy ship ASAP so better get on over here.