The following pictures are of a rifle I built in 1996 for my friend Perry Mitchell. Perry passed away a few years ago and I was able to get this rifle back from his estate. When I got the rifle back it had set unattended is his basement for a number of years and had formed a good bit of surface rust on the barrel and parts. Perry had hunted with and had shot this rifle a good bit over the years. I wish I new how many deer he shot with it but just knowing he used it makes me smile.
I got the rifle back with the intentions of restoring it back to new condition. The barrel had to be refinished and the stock finish was in pretty bad shape so I decide to refinish the stock as well. This was rifle No. 6 for me, and was built back before my days with all of the great builders that I was to meet later. I was still a newbee to gun building. I had one picture of the rifle as it was when I built it in 1996. The other pictures is as it turned out after the refinishing process.
I had decided to give this rifle to one of my grandsons for his birthday. Hopefully it will inspire him to join in on all the fun that can be had in Muzzle Loading.
It has a Getz barrel, 50 cal.,Siler lock, Freddie Harrison maple, Ted Cash pipes, German silver butt plate, Trigger guard, and side plate, Davis triggers. Frank Barlett helped me with the wire work and the engraving on the patch box. The engraving on the lock, side plate and toe plate is by me during the restoration. I could not duplicate the color of the stock, so I stripped it and went AF stain and a linseed oil/ shellac finish.
I hope you enjoy reminiscing with me about times gone by and old friends.
