Walnut Stocked 32 Mule Ear

[BruceH]

Here is my latest build that I finished today.  It is a .32 caliber, 37" long - 13/16" Rice barrel, Davis (Bivin's style) single trigger with a L&R Mule Ear lock.  The LOP is 13 1/4" with 1 1/2" drop at the comb and 3 3/4" drop at the heel.  The stock is a good piece of American Walnut.  The style/school is supposed to be close to a Lehigh, but I used a lot of builders preference.  On to my next one which is going to be a left hand custom Mule Ear in a fine piece of Maple.

[BruceH]

More pictures.

[Craig Wilcox]

Really nice work, Bruce.  Warm and friendly looking.

[BruceH]

Thanks Craig.  Had not thought about it, but it is kinda warm and friendly.

[Ezra]

Nice job.  Cool little squirrel rifle in .32 caliber.  Mule Ear locks were circa 1850 or so?  I cannot seem to find any definitive source of information regarding them.

Ez

[smokinbuck]

Bruce,
Where are you going to get, or do you have a LH mule ear lock.

[BruceH]

Ez, that is probably a good time frame, but they were around a little before then.

[BruceH]

Mark, I bought three custom made locks that someone else had gotten from an estate sale.  One of them happened to be left handed and they are identical.  These three locks are probably the most precise well made locks that I have had the opportunity to see.  They are machined, slightly engraved and have a nice smooth finish.  I am going to build the left handed one first, then build myself one with one of the other two.  I wish I knew someone who could build/copy these.  Here is a picture of one of the right hand ones.  The left (the one on top) is identical.

[Marvin S]

Are you going to be selling the LH rifle? I may be interested if so.

[BruceH]

Marvin, yes I am.  However, another shooter that I have built for in the past has possibly laid claim to it.  If he decides to pass, it will be advertised here.  Thanks for asking.

[Marvin S]

I’ll keep an eye out for it. What caliber and style of rifle are you thinking about?

[BruceH]

Marvin, it is going to be a style similar to a Verner.  It will have a 37" long .45 caliber Colerain barrel.  Because of the locks sear, it will have a single trigger.  The furniture will be all brass.  The wood is going to be a high grade piece of curly maple.  I am actually making good progress on it.