Our man Mitch Yates on the Contempoary Blog

[Dennis Glazener]

Just saw Mitch's early Christian Springs rifle on the Contempoary Makers blog, very nice! (see this link  http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2014/08/rifle-by-mitch-yates.html )
The more I see of these early rifles the better I like them.
Dennis

[Acer Saccharum]

Mitch you've made a very fine rifle. Your work is very clean, crisp, direct. You really caprured the buxom qualities of an early gun.

[C Wallingford]

Nice job, Mitch. Carving is very sharp and the color is top of the line. I like everytning about it!

[Ed Wenger]

Mitch had this rifle at Dixon's, great looking piece! 

   Ed

[kaintuck]

Nice job!
I have a upcoming Moravain project.....this rifle pictures will go into my morgue to get me "in the mood" when I start......
I do think that trigger guard is a scary one......one bad fall over, and she'd be bent! a brave soul to build this one
Marc n tomtom say, good on ya!

[smart dog]

Great gun, Mitch.  I love how you designed the butt stock.  It looks like a gun with some carry-over from the late 17th century.  It was a pleasure meeting you at Dixon's and thanks for your help with my Reading project.

dave

[E.vonAschwege]

Looks like a very comfortable gun to shoulder.  If anything, it has better flowing lines than the original.  A very cool gun! 
-Eric

[Kevin Houlihan]

Mitch,
Gorgeous gun!  Could you let us know how you did the wood finish? Scraped vs sanded, stain finish etc. 
Thanks,
Kevin

[tallbear]

Snap

My finishing process on this rifle was

Scrape and whisker several times.(no sandpaper)

Then two coats of homemade Aqua-Fortis blushing between coats(My aqua fortis is 4 parts water to 1 part nitric acid with wrought iron dissolved until the acid is spent)

I then whisker with a gray scotch bright pad #7448

Then I remove the whiskering dust and neutralize with household ammonia

Then a seal coat of seed lac

Then multiple coats of Tried and True Varnish

Glad to answer any other questions you might have.

I am borrowing this rifle back and it  will be on my table at the CLA if anyone wants too see it.

Mitch

[KLMoors]

Great work that really captures the essence of these early rifles.

[rich pierce]

That's how the original should have been built.