Early Lancaster build...reference

[Lee Slikkers]

Greetings all, spanking new here to ALR and I am about to pull the trigger and fax my order for an Early Lancaster (might decide on the Haines...not 100% certain yet) in to Jim Chambers BUT before I hit the "send" button I was hoping to get some opinions and suggestions for the best books for reference and pictorial inspiration dealing with this style of gun.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!

[Bill of the 45th]

Lot of good building books out there, Dixon's is one of the better ones.  Don't order by Puter, Give Barbie Chambers-Garen a call and talk to her.  She and her Dad know these kits best.  They also had a great building DVD.  Give the phone a try, Jim, his wife, or Barbie will answer, and give you the right info, and advise.  They're some of the best to deal with, and their parts sets are top of the line.

Bill

[rick landes]

Ditto what 45th said. You would be very hard pressed to find such good people to work with and answer any questions you have. They sure have for me.

Their materials are top shelf too.

[flehto]

I've builrt 3  Chambers' early Lancasters, the quality was  excellent and the completed LR  is determined by the builder's skills. Plenty of wood for carving and slight changes. ....Fred

[Lee Slikkers]

Thanks for the recommendation Gents...I have settled on a Chambers build but again I am questioning my final choice.  I love the looks and architecture of the Early Lancaster but am trying to decide if it will provide me with as much honest hunting experiences as say the "Smooth Rifle" will...

I've been ready as much as I can on the topic of a Smooth in all the threads on here and it appears I could do equally well on Deer as well as feathered critters such as Turkey, Geese, Ducks, Grouse, etc.

[G-Man]

There are several good examples of pieces very similar to either of the Chambers kits (Isaac Haines or the "Early Lancaster") in Shumway's "Rifles of Colonial America" Volume 1.  If you are going to buy the book and can also afford Volume II I highly recommend it as well - as who knows when it will go out of print again and them become hard to find.

Good luck

Guy 

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Chamber's smooth rifle is a slender beauty. If you live in the east where shots at whitetails tend to average 40 yards, you can have a very useful all around gun for deer and birds..and pigs or bear.

[Lee Slikkers]

Chamber's smooth rifle is a slender beauty. If you live in the east where shots at whitetails tend to average 40 yards, you can have a very useful all around gun for deer and birds..and pigs or bear.

Thank you Sir for your endorsement of the Smooth Rifle...your advice may very well sway my thoughts.  I also would like to attempt some carvings on the stock but have not been able to find any historical reference that these guns carried such art, were they all plain or do you know if they sported any carving? 

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I have seen both highly carved and plain smooth rifles......I think you really can do it as you like.  Jim Chambers will give you great advice, he knows the guns well and is very helpful.

[Lee Slikkers]

Thank you Dr...

[Vomitus]

Chamber's smooth rifle is a slender beauty. If you live in the east where shots at whitetails tend to average 40 yards, you can have a very useful all around gun for deer and birds..and pigs or bear.

...and,you can get that smooth rifle rifled...in .54. for 20 extra bucks! I think the barrel profile is the same as a 20 gauge so interchangeable barrels may be an option. Check with Barbie.