Iron anyone?

[gibster]

Just finished this little flintlock squirrel rifle and wanted to get your opinions on it.  My goal was to build a rifle that had the look of a rifle that just came out of the East Tennessee hills of yesteryear.  The stock was a precarved stock from Stonewall Creek Outfitters. The lock is an L&R Manton from them also.  I also got the barrel from them.  It is a 3/4-inch X 42-inch .25 caliber Ed Rayl barrel.  The triggers and the rear sight came from Track of the Wolf.  I made the butt plate, toe plate, patch box and release, side plates, lock screws, breech plug (and extension to go over the comb), trigger guard, ram rod pipes, nose cap and front sight.  The inletting could have been a little better in a few spots, and I 'll do better next time.  I am still needing to  hand rub the wood a few more times with paste wax to give it that satin look and the metal parts need another good rub down with oil to finish them off.  I really enjoyed the build and this was the first that I made so many of the parts.  The rifle weighs just over 5-pounds.  Let me know what you think, good and bad.  I am still learning and unless I hear the truth, it's hard to make corrections for the next one.






Thanks in advance for the comments.
Gibster
 
 
 
 

[Bioprof]

I think it looks great!   It's also very impressive that you made so many of the parts.  I would be proud to a rifle such as this one.   

[Ephraim]

Wow I built almost the same rifle got my parts from the same guy but used a blunt county lock and G.M. barrel made the patch box and two peace butt plate and trigger bought trigger Gard made the sights and ramrod pipes made the iron parts from an old tail pipe I found in  muffler shop. I picked up my wood and barrel at Friend ship built it in a week and a half. I will E-mail some pic's to you if you want I can't down load from photo bucket not so computer smart but can send them to you. my E-mail is smarte@highland if you want to see email me.
Ephraim

[Ky-Flinter]

Looks pretty darn nice Gib!  Just a suggestion, try some Outer's Gun Grease to rub down the iron work.  It almost seems to soak in and stays on better than oil.

Good going!  What's next?

-Ron

[deano]

It needs a little squirrel blood rubbed into the finish with a furry tail to look just right now.

It is a nice looking little gun and at 5# should be a pleasure to carry on a long walk.

Ken

[Roger Fisher]

First off - you did just fine in the blacksmithing aspects.  If she were mine I would have tried to remember to show more barrel side flat, and a narrower lock moulding, slims down their look more.  Can't tell well by the photos; but that rear trigger seems as if she hits the inside rear of the guard on trying to sett the trikkers!!   That can't be so or you would have fixed that by now

I love those S Mt rifles - I build 'em and by God I shoot 'em! 

I would take linseed oil soaked 4 O wool and rub out the wear areas 'wrist, lower forearm some on cheek piece.  It looks better to my eye at least.    Takes away that same look from butt to muzzle that most new rifles have.

BTW if you use linseed oil rags don't leave them in the house - get them out - they catch fire all by them selves if lain on a heap

[rich pierce]

Looks really clean and good architecture.  You could show a little more barrel, that's about it.  Fine work.

[Photog]

looks good to me, time to go hunting.

[karwelis]

she's a beauty! i think anyone would be proud to own or hunt with her.

karwelis

[gibster]

Thanks for the comments guys.  I see what you mean about the barrel showing.  Didn't even think about it at the time.  Next time I will try to narrow the lock molding a little also.  I actually have another one (same style and caliber) that I have to build before October, so I will incorporate these changes. I appreciate the comments.
Gibster

[t.caster]

Looks like a succesful attempt alright! I like it!
Precarves always leave a little extra wood above the barrel centerline that needs to be worked down. Don't forget to round it over into the barrel on the next one. You don't want a flat (wood) showing along the barrel sides.

[RobertS]

Great job all around, and I especially like the buttplate and trigger guard, and would love to try forging out some pieces like that.  What kind of steel do you use, and how do you ever get started?  Thanks for sharing it with us!

[northwoodsdave]

Beautiful gun!  And some great suggestions by others as well.

Hey, you should be commended for simply MAKING it.  I'm at the point of wanting to build my first gun, but not quite ready to commit.  You made a piece of art, in my opinion.  And the next one will probably be even better!

David

[Berks Liberty]

Nice work! I've been kicking around doing another rifle with Iron on it.  It looks Great!

[shifty]

 ey gibster uthern dem thangs  mentchund she shors lookun riginal. Seriously now that sure is a fine rifle you have done a great job, and I am certain that you learned a great deal on that one project alone. Shifty