Author Topic: Reading Rifle  (Read 8953 times)

Offline tallbear

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4049
  • Mitch Yates
Reading Rifle
« on: July 10, 2013, 06:35:08 PM »
I just finished up this Reading Rifle based on RCA #22.It has a custom profile .54 cal Getz Barrel and was stained with aqua-fortis and finished with real Spar Varnish.As always all comments are welcome.

Mitch Yates














« Last Edit: July 10, 2013, 10:32:34 PM by aka tallbear »

Offline E.vonAschwege

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3118
    • von Aschwege Flintlocks
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2013, 07:36:51 PM »
Mitch that's a beautiful rifle - very well done!  You achieved an excellent and eye-appealing contrast between the metal and wood finishes, particularly with the black glaze to highlight carvings and moldings.  I like that you chose to leave the lock mostly bright. 

Not only is it a nice overall rendition of RCA22, but you also kept a lot of the small details as well. 

Looks comfortable - will it be at Dixon's?  See ya there, thanks for sharing! 
-Eric
Former Gunsmith, Colonial Williamsburg www.vonaschwegeflintlocks.com

Offline C Wallingford

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 863
  • Northern Kentucky
    • CW Knives
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2013, 07:57:21 PM »
Mitch-- an excellent job. That is one beautiful rifle, nice crisp lines and the color is beautiful.

Offline Tim Crosby

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 18322
  • AKA TimBuckII
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2013, 08:19:33 PM »
  That is a Good looking rifle Mitch, Very nicely done. The finish, wood and metal looks great.

   Tim  C. 

Online Curtis

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2332
  • Missouri
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2013, 12:15:47 AM »
Mitch,

I have to pretty much echo Eric's comments.  I find your rendition very appealing!  Great work.

Curtis
Curtis Allinson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes, late at night when I am alone in the inner sanctum of my workshop and no one else can see, I sand things using only my fingers for backing

Offline smallpatch

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4102
  • Dane Lund
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2013, 12:32:38 AM »
Mitch,

Awesome job. Love the patina, and the architecture.
 I totally fell in love with the Reading style a couple of years ago.  Very unique architecture.  I'm  just getting ready to start carving my rendition of the RCA #26 rifle. Another really unusual Reading gun.
Thanks for sharing.  Again, Nicely done.
In His grip,

Dane

Offline Ed Wenger

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2457
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2013, 03:26:10 AM »
Nice, clean looking piece, Mitch.  Really well done!

   Ed
Ed Wenger

Offline JTR

  • member 2
  • Hero Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4339
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2013, 03:39:03 AM »
That's a fine looking rifle for sure!

I'm curious, what's the difference between 'real' Spar Varnish, and the stuff in the spray can?

John
John Robbins

Offline wattlebuster

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2078
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2013, 03:49:56 AM »
Great looking gun. I really like your carving ;D
Nothing beats the feel of a handmade southern iron mounted flintlock on a cold frosty morning

Offline Acer Saccharum

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19311
    • Thomas  A Curran
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2013, 05:32:27 AM »
That's a very yummy rifle, Mitch. Great job.

T
Tom Curran's web site : http://monstermachineshop.net
Ramrod scrapers are all sold out.

Offline tallbear

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4049
  • Mitch Yates
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2013, 06:14:12 AM »
Thanks guys!!!!

JTR
Sorry for not being clearer.There are many things sold under the label of spar varnish.Not sure what the differences are but I did a lot of work on wooden boats in a previous life.When some one said "real spar varnish" they were referring to McCloskey Man O'War Marine Spar Varnish and only that.Most boatyards would use that and only that as all others were considered inferior. I use gloss and rub it back rather than matte as the matting agents make the finish less clear than the gloss.I also thin it with naphtha so it goes on thinner unless I'm using it to fill grain on walnut.

Mitch

Offline JTR

  • member 2
  • Hero Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4339
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2013, 12:24:38 PM »
Thanks Mitch. The finish looks particularly nice to my eye.
John
John Robbins

Offline bama

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2162
    • Calvary Longrifles
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #12 on: July 11, 2013, 02:08:03 PM »
Mitch that is one of my favorite rifle and you did a fantastic job on it. Your work just keeps getting better my friend.
Jim Parker

"An Honest Man is worth his weight in Gold"

Offline johnny

  • Starting Member
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #13 on: July 11, 2013, 04:44:46 PM »
Hello Mitch,

Very, very clean!  I certainly enjoy visually feeling her out.  Oh yeah I can see the front sight settling back down on target after a good follow through and then the ball piecing flesh, clanging steel or punching paper.  Oh yeah it is so good!

John

Offline Don Getz

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6853
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2013, 04:57:21 PM »
Mitch.......looks like you are taking over the late Dave Dodds gunbuilding scene.   He used flat black paint to accent most of
his guns, and they looked good..   I was looking at the trigger guard, did you re-shape a Reaves #10 guard on this gun?
Don

pushboater

  • Guest
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #15 on: July 11, 2013, 05:19:37 PM »
Good looking Rifle Mitch.  Well done. 

Capt. David

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

  • Member 3
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12654
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #16 on: July 11, 2013, 07:25:07 PM »
Someone described it as 'comfortable'...that's exactly how I see it too.  A real shooter!  Nice job Mitch.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19390
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #17 on: July 11, 2013, 08:49:19 PM »
I like the Reading vein Mitch is working lately.   Great early guns and terrific execution.  Look real.
Andover, Vermont

Offline tallbear

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4049
  • Mitch Yates
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #18 on: July 11, 2013, 10:48:35 PM »
Thanks again guys for the kind words,they are appreciated and let me know I'm working in the right direction. :) :)

Don
The trigger guard is Reeves #66 which he lists as Dave Dodds early Berks guard.The BP is #10

The patina is basically expensive dirt.I use dry earth and iron oxide pigments with a little bone black from Kremers.Dust them on the wet finish and rub them out when dry.


Mitch

Offline Brian Jordan

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 548
  • Pennsylvania
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #19 on: July 12, 2013, 01:22:12 AM »
Just like the rest of your work Mitch. It just screams talent!!
Elizabeth, PA

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms"...Thomas Jefferson

Let's Go Brandon!

Offline B Shipman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1928
    • W.G. Shipman Gunmaker
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #20 on: July 12, 2013, 07:01:49 AM »
Really like it.

Offline flehto

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3335
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #21 on: July 12, 2013, 07:52:29 PM »
Reading LRs were unique and your rendition follows in the "footsteps" of these early makers. Beautiful LR....Fred

Online Cory Joe Stewart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1866
    • My etsy shop
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #22 on: July 14, 2013, 11:17:59 PM »
Fantastic Mitch.  I am going to be building a Reading for a buddy this fall/winter.  Studying this one will be a great help.

Coryjoe

Offline Robby

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2649
  • NYSSR ―
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #23 on: July 14, 2013, 11:53:34 PM »
Fred pretty much said it for me. I always enjoy looking at your work Mitch!
robby
molon labe
We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution. A. Lincoln

Offline James Rogers

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3158
  • James Rogers
    • Fowling Piece
Re: Reading Rifle
« Reply #24 on: July 20, 2013, 09:29:54 PM »
I have been glancing at these new builds on my cell phoneover the past months. After seeing some of this stuff full size on my computer today all I can say is WOW.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2013, 09:43:28 PM by James Rogers »