Silver and steel mounted English rifle

[Curtis]

Very fine work there, Dave.  Beautiful engraving and wire inlay, and carving too!


Curtis

[SingleMalt]

You did an excellent job creating an "English Jaeger." 

[Long John]

Dave,

Superb piece of work.  Everything just looks like it belongs together in a single artistic statement.  Nothing is out of place, everything contributes to an inherently  harmonious whole.  You make me feel like a shoe-maker!  I love it!

John Cholin

[B Shipman]

Really great wire  inlay

[James Rogers]

Very nice work! That rapid drop looks almost identical to my eye as a griffin piece I have seen in photos.

[Mark Elliott]

Dave,

That is super work, as always.   Your engraving is very neat and clean.   The same goes for the wire and inlay work.

[draken]

Dave,
Your engraving and wire inlay are exceptional!
I just plain like the looks that rifle and can almost feel the weapon's balance in my hands. 

[smart dog]

Hi Folks,
Thanks Bill, Long John, Mark, Ed, James, and everyone for looking and commenting.  I appreciate your comments and interest.  One nice thing is that the gun actually can shoot!  I included a photo of today's target on which I was getting the little gun sighted in better.  The numbered groups are today's shooting the others are from test firing a smoothbore a few weeks ago.  Shooting from a bench at 50 yards, I used 65gr or 75gr of Swiss 3F powder, 0.610 ball and 0.020 patches lubed with ballistol and water.  Group 1 was 3 shots, 65 gr powder 6 o'clock hold on black.  I adjusted front sight windage a tad, then group 2 was 75gr powder 6 o'clock hold on black. I adjusted the front sight again and using 75 gr of powder shot group 3 composed of 5 shots 6 o'clock hold on black.  I then took a center hold on the black and shot group 4 which comprised 5 shots from the bench and 2 off hand. This gun has the first Rice barrel I have ever owned although I have used them on guns for others.  I think I am a fan of Rice!

dave

[oldtravler61]

Dave you now have a problem with that gun. How are you ever going to explain missing that big buck. With the way that gun shoots...!!!....Mike

[smart dog]

Simple Mike,
Lie, lie lie, just like a politician.

dave

[Mike Brooks]

Wish I could see well enough to ever shoot groups that good again....that gun is a real shooter.

[smart dog]

Hi Mike,
All but 2 of those shots was from my bench rest so they represent the gun, not me except my ability to see the sights and target.  We'll see how it goes at 100 yards soon.

dave

[acorn20]

Beautiful rifle Mike...and a shooter too!  Say, I can't tell from the light in the photos but is the steel finished "bright" or does it have a slight "French Grey" finish? 

Dan

[smart dog]

Hi Dan,
The barrel was painted with quick bluing and then rubbed back and polished with maroon and grey Scotch-Brite pads. It just has a slight tarnish but enough to seriously reduce glare on a sunny day.

dave

[Mike Brooks]

Beautiful rifle Mike...and a shooter too!  Say, I can't tell from the light in the photos but is the steel finished "bright" or does it have a slight "French Grey" finish? 

Dan

Dave's gun, not mine. 

[Daryl]

Hi Mike,
All but 2 of those shots was from my bench rest so they represent the gun, not me except my ability to see the sights and target.  We'll see how it goes at 100 yards soon.

dave

Well done, Dave - now you will need to make up some targets for the postal match!

[J. Talbert]

Dave,

Tasteful, elegant, graceful, restrained...

NICE!

Jeff