That one time I built a gun.

[Frozen Run]

I have a handful of parts and a dream. My plan is to use the Foxfire architecture (loosely?) as the foundation for a Wayne Estes inspired funkytown mountain rifle. It will be 3/4 stock and percussion. The finish will be rattle can, and it may have a compass in the stock. Somewhere.

Constructive and destructive criticism are both equally encouraged.

Enjoy.

[Stoner creek]

Looks like I’m gonna have to bring back those hillbilly raiders back to the shop for an encore. Anything goes fellers.

[Spalding]

[mikeyfirelock]

      Can be of help to you………my first several builds were exactly what you have just described. ( I can do this very easily, and at no charge.)
 Mikeyfirelock
( they are looking better now than in 1972)

[Frozen Run]

Mikey, that would be much appreciated!


I did a basic mock-up of the build. The outline and barrel inlet was done by my buddy John, I believe he was in contact with Ian who helped him with the pattern? Those are the two breech plugs I have for it, I don't feel confident forging the tangs so I'll either go with a short spear point or a long spike, probably the later. The stick is a cheap blank I got from Al, it has a huge chunk missing around the toe and cheek face that will either go away in shaping or I'll add a donor piece and staples to look like a toe repair. The barrel is a 42" DGW .45 that some people believe is a restamped Douglas. The lock is an original goulcher I bought off someone here a number of years back. It has a pretty elaborate hunting scene on it, the sear spring is shot and the tumbler has seen better days. The triggers are Bob Roller's. I'm not sure what the wood rib came off off, just that it was round and the pipes I believe are german silver. 




I believe I will need to cut the rib about halfway between the rear of it and the rear pipe to get the proportions right? Also, the "web" thickness of the rib seems to be way too much at .338? That's about twice the web thickness for a longrifle. And measuring the web thickness on a halfstock I'm currently working on gets me .270 or so. I believe I'm going to need to find some happy balance between all of the numbers and make the proper adjustments beneath the forend to acomodate? Make the rib too thin and it just breaks, make it too thick and there is too much belly underneath the lock.   

[alacran]

One man's dream is another man's nightmare Lol.
Seriously though just go for it. Don't overthink it.

[Gaeckle]

Don, bring that in on Saturday and I'll show you what you need to do for the web, rib and basic layout. You're over thinking this and adding complications. I was planning on being down in Cincinnati, but that fell thru, so I can be at the Cabin

[Steeltrap]

Yes, you too can build a rifle that looks good and functions well borrowing architecture from different historical firearms. And when done, they can "fit a given need" in your collection.

Go for it!

[oldtravler61]

  I to am a professional cobbler. I can take about anything and make a functional gun or whatever out of it. My guns all have character also..!
So don't over think this and wing it....   The more  character the better!

[Frozen Run]

Thank you for all the encouragement everyone! There will likely be a copper sideplate, how much there is after that will largely depend on input from the hillbilly raider chieftain. I do plan on putting a lot of wiggle on it, wiggle on top of wiggle on top of wiggle. Though that is all speculative at this point. The only embellishment I know for certain that will be incorporated somehow and somewhere are red polka dots. I saw a Mike Brooks gun a few years back that had a cluster of red polka dots on the sideplate panel that trailed off down the wrist. At the time I thought "could have done without all the dots", I was so naive back then, now I kind of like the idea so I'm adding them somewhere as an homage to Brooks.     

[Hungry Horse]

 My suggestion would be not to use an antique lock on a gun that is going to get any large degree of shooting. Hardware store locks from the 19th century aren’t strong in the metallurgy department, and replacement parts are pretty much nonexistent. I also would not put the compass in the gunstock. I would put the compass in the plug of your powder horn.

Hungry Horse

[mikeyfirelock]

Do not put the compass anywhere in the top of the stock………the gun will shoot either to the east or the west, depending on the longitude you are at.

[mikeyfirelock]

Seriously, this time. I would get a good sized piece of cardboard and using the parts you have, draw a mock-up of how you plan to put it together.   Draw a line for the top of the barrel, place the barrel on it, draw a line along the bottom of the barrel, then mark the end of the 3/4 stock you  plan. Mark the lock location, allowing for the breech plug length and drum/flash hole, then lock plate and trigger location according to sear location. Mark trigger pull length ( say 14-1/2 Inches) and drop at heel. Then draw in outline of stock.  Allow for the ramrod hole and bottom of forestock.   Now you can see if your parts will work together, and what you will likely end up with will fit you.   Cut it out, put it up to your shoulder and see if you are looking down the top edge…….ie what would be the line of sight of the finished gun.  Make changes if needed to fit.
Sounds like a lot of work , but it’s not hard to do, is educational, and cheaper than starting over because it doesn’t fit, or doesn’t look like what you want.
Been there.

[Frozen Run]

Hungry Horse, you bring up two excellent points. The other advantage of using a modern lock here would be I don't have to fix an antique lock. I've also come to the conclusion that the compass idea is not going to work. Anywhere I can think to put a compass would just look nicer without a compass being there. I had considered putting in a cap box with a hinged door in the storage area that reveals a compass, but honestly I'm past compasses at this point.

Mikey, a full size drawing is a great idea, except for the fact that I'm meeting up with my friend on Saturday and some mornings he gets up and every thing that is not a gun offends him. Half the thing'll get built that afternoon if that's the case making the plans a little moot. 

[mikeyfirelock]

Yeah….thats kind of the way I do it too.