A 16 Ga Smoothrifle

[Osprey]

Well it seems like a long time since I actually completed a gun, probably because I have no self control while any hunting season is in  , but just finished up one this week.  16ga smoothrifle, Dickertish styling, 44" Colerain O/R barrel, Chambers lock, from a plank of Eastern Shore maple via Deathwind, lightly aged.  Critiques welcome.  I know I'm a heavy handed hack with a graver, but feel like I'm slowly getting better even on that. 

And I hope to get this girl very bloody come turkey season, she's got a tag in Iowa and 2 in Maryland to fill next month.   

[bob in the woods]

I really like it !   I hope that it gets a lot of use.
Only thing I'd do is add a little something to the side panels of the patchbox. Not a bunch, so as to contrast with the lid etc.  Nice job.

[Brian Jordan]

That is a beautiful looking gun! I love the finish, can you tell the details of your technique?

[blackbruin]

Very clean. Nice, good luck breaking it in on a long beard!

[Tom Currie]

Your smoothbore looks very well proportioned to me. The engraving effort looks fine to me also.  Congrats on your very nice build !

[pathfinder]

Engraving isn't as bad as you think I like it! What I've done was to kinda "cheat by sanding the be-jesus out of the patchbox to make it appear light handed. I haven't improved much though.

I really like the wrist/comb carving on the lock side. Nice and balanced.

Really a nice job. Good luck on the bird's. What's the load? How's she with round ball?

[Bennypapa]

You know, You've done a great job there!
You're being too hard on yourself.
It looks Beautiful.
Best,
Ben

[rich pierce]

Lots to like there.  The carving in front of the cheekpiece is really nicely designed and executed.

[Glenn]

Beautiful work.  I love the stain.  The brass you chose flows well / fits well with this style.  Job well done indeed. 

[Osprey]

Thanks for the comments! 

Melsdad, it's got a coat of Solarlux bright yellow alcohol stain, then a coat of LMF maple, then one of MBS walnut, steel wooled back to where it looked right.  Two coats of tru-oil, then the black spray paint and rubbed back again, then back and forth with the tru-oil and chambers oil for another six coats, lightly steel wooled between coats.  Wasn't sure which to end with but the TO just looked better on this piece of wood, to me at least.

Pathfinder, I've found I have to use a big wood handle on my gravers and a very, very small hammer.  If not my engraving sounds like a jackhammer at work.  Maybe it's because I've been spending an hour a day splitting firewood swinging a maul for the last month and a half...

[pathfinder]

Thanks for the comments! 
 I've been spending an hour a day splitting firewood swinging a maul for the last month and a half...

Geez,ya think! LOL I dont think I could make that transition! I'd hammer right through the lid!

The Black paint makes me smile everytime I hear it!

We all have defining moment's in our lives as gunmakers,mine was over the black spray paint and Hershal House. We got into a great late night disscussion at the "Old NorthWest" in Freedom Ind,in '88,I think,about using it,(I had just seen his video),I'm a classicly trained antique restorer,so too me,"Black Spray Paint!" "What an abomanation!"

I have since used it a couple of times with great result's!

[Curtis]

Very nice Ospery.  I think you did a great job with the carving and engraving.

Curtis