Parker's students' build

[pjmcdonald]

Seeing JO49er's post, thought I'd add my first build as well. I'm another of Jim's student builders. Or assemblers. In any case, I started with a TVM (Avance, Natchez) iron mounted SMR kit. 42" swamped barrel, .50 cal. Jim helped me turn it into the following.









Obvious flaws I know of - poor inlet on side plate, a few areas that needed a bit better dewhiskering, maybe too much of a sharp line/uneven transition between side panels and wrist. Couple screws I couldn't quite convince to stay centered. From there, I welcome constructive critique, particularly as concerns form and architecture. I'll work on my skills to improve those details.

[pjmcdonald]

I'll also add my pop's here too. He doesn't really do the Internet forum thing. His is disassembled for finishing. TVM (Garner, Corinth) kit. .45 cal. Also iron mounted.

And yes, I discovered there are two TVM's, both in MS. Subtle differences.








Somehow, pop conned me into draw filing and polishing steel. I don't know exactly how that happened but might have involved a bottle of wine. Anyway, hence its current state of partial assembly. Pop is much better at inlets.

Paul

[BOB HILL]

Looks like Jim is doing a great job with all of you fellows. Keep up the good work.     Bob

[Marcruger]

Nice looking rifle Paul.  I like a lot about it.  Are you going to leave the metal bright? 
I am glad you got to spend him with Jim.  He's a fine man, great builder, and apparently a super teacher to boot.  :-)  God Bless,  Marc

[pjmcdonald]

Marc,
I do plan to leave the metal bright and let it age naturally. I really like the contrast against the darkly stained maple. Incidentally, stocks are stained with ferrous nitrate (AF). Mine has one coat of leaded linseed oil followed by a few coats of BLO, then a few coats of Bio-Poly. Pop's is just Bio-Poly.

We had bought a couple gallons of the BioPoly for finishing walls and floors in my old house. It is a linseed oil based finish. Not sure what all is in it. I know it uses a citrus based thinner and has some hardening agents - most likely rosin. In any case, rubs on just like any other linseed oil based finish. Figure if it works on heart pine floors, should work on rifle stock. I don't tramp across the gun in my work boots. So far, so good.

Paul

[B Staley]

Looking Good Paul !!!

[JO49]

Very nice rifle Paul!  When starting out if we knew how to build rifles with out flaws we would miss out meeting the most gracious man, instructor and host that I have ever met, Jim Parker.  Along with his apprentice , Travis Brown.  Not to mention a super fun week of learning how to build a rifle.

Remember Jim's slogan "So you want to be a rifle builder.....do you like filing?"  :>)

[Mike Brooks]

Nice scooping on the buttstock of the upper one, Nice gun. Oh, ANY lock but a siler on these Appalachia guns...... I know probably not your fault as it's probably TVM's default lock on this kit. Build one from a blank next time, it ain't no harder than these kits!

Jim Parker has an apprentice? I'm going to have to get me one of those.......

[JO49]

Mike you have to build a "bunch" of rifles before you're eligible for an apprentice.  :>) 

By the way, Jim says the same thing about building from a blank versus a kit.  He says it's easier.

Joe

[pjmcdonald]

Mike and Joe,

Next will be from a blank. Already planning it with Jim and will start at his class come spring.

Thanks for the compliment on scooping the butt stock. I really enjoyed the scrapers. Jim's lollipop scrapers are very handy. I may never get into detail carving but I find I enjoy shaping wood.

The lock was the TVM default.

Paul