Chamber's York Kit

[smallpatch]

I just finished this kit.  What a challenge stock was broken just ahead of the second RR pipe location.  In trying to repair it, I broke it again, about an inch further forward.  The wood is highly figured, AND the soft part of the figure was fuzzy, and the hard part VERY hard.  Not a fun piece of wood.  I inletted 1/16" rod into both sides of the bottom flat of the barrel channel, to reinforce it, and epoxied in place.  (scared of it breaking again)

Added slight patina on both wood, and metal.  Nice plain gun, and with the reinforcements should be serviceable for a lifetime.
Let me know what you think.

[Topknot]

Good looking rifle. Wish it was mine.

[Osprey]

I always like your rifles Dane, this one too!  Sounds like the stock break was a bear.

I must also add your photos are exceptional, great layout and composition. 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I too like to see examples of your work, Dane.  This one is no exception...a very nice looking rifle.  I like building Chambers' kits, though I'm just finishing up my third.  They make into great rifles and fowling pieces.

[smylee grouch]

Hi Dane. I have one of those Chambers York kits too, sure hope mine turns out as nice. Sure hope I dont have the same problems you did. Hope to see you in Pheonix next month. Maybe I can pic up some pointers. PM me if you need any more powder measure material.   Smylee

[wattlebuster]

Very nice ya did big. Very sharp pics too

[duck]

Great looking rifle.

[M Tornichio]

Nice rifle! It seems to have a nice level of patina for both the wood and metal. Good job.

[KLMoors]

Nice clean work with smooth transitions. Nice satin finish. I like it too. I think the colors are great also.

Real nice side plate for the lock. Is that a commercial one, or did you make it?

Thanks for the pics.

[smallpatch]

Thanks guys for the compliments. 

This one was a challenge, with the broken fore end, and the God awful wood.  The splices just all but disappeared.  You have to know where it is to even see it.  I guess all the additional patina actually helped.

Through my friends on the ALR site, and some serious cheating, with modern appliances, (air brushes, etc.) I'm finally getting the patinas, in the finish, so they don't look like they were added after the fact. 
Even with all the challenges, (inletting rods into the barrel channel, etc.) this one was kind of fun.

Ken, can't take credit for the sideplate.  Pure Chamber's kit parts.
Taylor, it seems no matter how hard I try to get away from kits, these Chambers kits just keep showing up.  If I HAVE to build a kit, Chamber's are the way to go. I keep thinking..... from now on, it's from a plank, then someone wants another one of these put together.  I've got another one in the shop right now.  A NE Fowler, this will be the third one of these I've done, (one of my favorite designs).  I saw one done by the original designer, Mark Silver, @ the CLA show in Lexington this year and fell in love all over again.
I'd have to check for sure, but I know I've built at least a dozen or  more Chamber's kits since I've been building.
It's sure nice to have such great kits to practice and learn on.
Thanks again gang.

[longcarbine54]

Very nice rifle...looks great.
Good job on it.

[duca]

Sweet! Nice looking Rifle, Great job. Enjoy!

[B Shipman]

The forestock is basically a venier to hold pipes. Take it away and you have a halfstock.

Like it. Really nice architecture.

[mtnbum]

If you don't mind sharing, what process and materials did you use to age your lock?  It looks great.

[smallpatch]

Allen Martin method.
Brown it till it's totally UGLY and pitted, sand off the surface so that only the pits remain, blue it with cold blue, remove bluing with oil/steel wool.

It's really that easy.  You will need to experiment to see just how long it takes to "pit" to your liking.
Hope that helps.

[Rick G.]

Very nice rifle! I'm working on one now, only the lock is on the right (left hand) side!