2nd Swivel Breech Rifle

[Tonyhd98]

Just finished another (No. 2) Swivel Breech Rifle.
Stock: Curly Maple dyed with Russet Amber Maple by J. E. Moser's
Finish: Lacquer
Barrels: Rice, .45 Cal.
Jim Chambers, White Lightening vent liners
Cash Manufacturing Co., Inc patch box, ram rod pipes and scutcheons.
Swivel Action by Precision Machinery
Butt Plate and Trigger Guard: Reeves Goering
3.5" drop from the sight line
14.5" length of pull
10.1 lbs.
Comments welcome

Cheers,
Tony

[Ky-Flinter]

Lookin' good Tony!  You have come a long way in a short time.

-Ron

[Tonyhd98]

Thank you Ky-Flinter! I'm going to take a few days off before building the next Swivel Action and cleaning the shop, it's a disaster!

[bob in the woods]

It's too shiny     Nice job, though. Congratulations . 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Tony:  you're a prolific gunmaker!  This rifle is so much better than the first one, as one should expect, but not always achieve.  The architecture, fit and finish, everything - is nicer.  I'd like to see you tone down that orange colour...aiming toward deep brown with a little red undertone.  I guess I'm a little more traditional.  Thanks for posting, and congrats on your nice rifle.

[Tonyhd98]

Bob in the woods: Thank you! Both of the swivel breech rifles were made for two different customers in TX. I agree with you about the shine but that's what the customer wanted so I had to oblige. Money drives this train and I try to keep the lights on! LOL

D. Taylor Sapergia: Thank you also! Though the dye color appears orange in the photos, it's really a violin color with the red under tones you mention. I should look into a day light filter for the camera. The pictures were taken at high noon today, pictures taken early in the morning are more true to life with my camera (Nikon D80).

[Daryl]

I was going to comment like Taylor, but he is much more eloquent than I am. I tend towards the bullish side., however - the 'brighteness' of the stock and furniture in the sun REALLY contrasts nicely with the rust-blued appearing barrel. It looks rather striking!
The stock appears also be be very nicely filled - another feature I really like to see, although I doubt ANY originals were, aside from fine English guns.

Nicely done, Tony.

[smart dog]

Hi Tony,
Big improvement.  My only critique is the top of the stock adjacent to the barrel tang.  I realize your swivel mechanism has octagon flats, which is historically correct for most American made swivel breeches during the flint era.  You very nicely formed a concave surface so that the stock blends into the swivel base.  I think you carried that concave surface too far back toward the wrist.  I think it would look better if smoothly transitioned to a flat and then a convex surface well before the end of the lock panels.  To my eye, the rest of the gun looks great.

dave

[Tonyhd98]

Smart Dog: Thank you! The reverse scallops (R1.0") on the swivel plates ARE a tough design to flow into the stock for me, especially on the bottom. I considered reversing that 1.0" radius but that adds more bulk to stock and gets in the way of the cock. My next build is for me so I'll consider shortening up scallops. On this build, the scallops run the length of the side and lock plates.

Daryl: Thank you! Yes, the barrels are rust blued (blacked) using the Hydrogen Peroxide, Vinegar and Salt method then boiling in water, 6 to 7 iterations builds a nice finish. Some guys have good luck with other methods but I like the results I get.

Cheers,
Tony

[frogwalking]

I love the color.  My next one will be a small flint hunting rifle for my 16 year old granddaughter.  I had thought of staining the maple stock bright red, and after seeing yours, may do it.

[Tonyhd98]

Thank you Frogwalking! The NMLRA prints a book called The Golden Mean which sells for $10.00. In that book it mentions how some color tones are appealing. It further describes how Jim Chambers uses yellow food coloring to highlight the compression stripes in curly maple prior to stain or dye. The wood I used for the stock was harvested in 1976 and has been seasoning since. It is so tight grained that it would not accept a stain. Wood stain is finely ground clay with an oil or water based carrier. Dye is a little different and that is what I used.

I used undiluted yellow Rit dye to whisker the wood. I then sanded most of the yellow dye off leaving just a hint of the yellow dye to highlight the compression stripes. Russet Amber Maple dye from J. E. Moser's mixed with denatured alcohol was then applied to the wood. Two coats of Amber Shellac was sprayed on the stock. In this case, my customer wanted a gloss finish so I applied two coats of gloss brush on lacquer which was cut with lacquer thinner for a spray application.

For some reason, the pictures I posted are a little off in their color tones. Maybe it's my camera (a 2006 Nikon D80) or the sun or who knows but the grass in the background in the photos is very green Rye Grass and the rifle appears orange.

These pictures are more representative of the actual color. My desire was for a violin redish tone and I came close!

[Old Ford2]

Mighty fine looking rifle!!
I would like to see more of the lock & how it works.
You did a beautiful job throughout.
My most sincere compliments.
Only one small complaint.................wish it were in my hot greedy hands 
Best regards
Fred

[Tonyhd98]

Thank you Old Ford2! I make the Swivel Breech Action referencing the book by Dave Waters, Building a Swivel Breech. I have a machine shop; Precision Machinery so it goes pretty quick.