Author Topic: New Smoothrifle  (Read 5516 times)

Offline Chris in Washington

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New Smoothrifle
« on: November 16, 2008, 11:30:52 PM »
Well I going to try to post some pictures of my newly finished smoothrifle that I build.  It's my first truly from a blank.  It has a 16 ga oct to round 44" Colerain barrel, a Chambers' Virginia Fowler lock and a set of Davis triggers.  The stock is finished with aquafortis and sealed with Laurel Mountain.  The lock and barrel were cold blued and rubbed back.   Any and all comments are welcomed. :)

Thank You,
Chris










Chris Statz

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: New Smoothrifle
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2008, 02:12:14 AM »
Chris, congratulations on a very fine build - especially if it's your first from a plank.  To my eye, you have a very authentic looking rifle there.

There are a couple of things that I may have done a little differently, since you asked for input.

It may be just the photograph, but it appears that the lock is a little tail - down.  This may have developed from setting the barrel a little too far toward the butt plate.  Or it might be the look you were after too.  I think I'd have increased the bend of the breech plug tang to take away some of the hump there.  Here again, what you have is not necessarily incorrect.  I really like the incised chips on the butt trap forming a track...very clever and well designed.  I would have filed the edges of the butt plate, rounding the plate toward the stock, so that the edges there are thin.  Likewise, you could thin the upper and lower molding on the lock's panel as well.

When you photograph, try to find a background that is anything but white.  A white background under-exposes the object unless it's a close-up shot. 

These are very minor things, and I sincerely think you've done an excellent job on your rifle.  You must agree that there is no way you could have taken a precarved stock and achieved the look you got here.  Now, make another.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline Chris in Washington

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Re: New Smoothrifle
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2008, 02:52:30 AM »
Thanks for the input.  I'll work on thinning thing out better next time around.  Your right.... the lock is a little off center... I had troubles with it.  It just never looked right in relationship to the wrist.  I too like the way the track turned out on the patch box... I wanted something a little different then most.   I was shooting for a plain jane, multi purpose smoothrifle that some poor old patriot might have. 
As for the next build... I have a Getz 42" swapmed .50cal  and a Chambers Golden Age flintlock that I need to figure out what to build.

Thanks again,
Chris

PS...I also don't like the flat area ahead of the patch box.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2008, 02:55:41 AM by cdstatz »
Chris Statz

George F.

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Re: New Smoothrifle
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2008, 03:02:23 AM »
I agree, A very nice job, What Taylor said about the white background didn't occur to me but agree. The gun does look dark, but believe it's the white background like Taylor said that thows it off. Nice crisp lock mouldings too.  ...Geo.

tg

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Re: New Smoothrifle
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2008, 04:03:52 AM »
I consider my self a novice gun stocker, so I won't even try to pick something that might have been better, it is a very beautiful gun for a first from a blank project, I suspect you have a natural gift for this hoby, do keep us posted with any future projects, I suspect your future work will bring on some ooh aahs. once again a very nice early gun.

Offline B Shipman

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Re: New Smoothrifle
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2008, 08:47:59 AM »
Thanks for posting. This is what we want to see. It's just fun to see what everyone is doing.
I can't believe noboby is building nothing. Actually when the ecomony is in the dumps, more rifles get made. It just does not matter whether you're a well known maker or your first attempt.

omark

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Re: New Smoothrifle
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2008, 03:57:02 AM »
i wish my first would have been that nice. it is beautiful. the only thing i would like to ask, and this is certainly no criticism as i really dont know the truth. but are the set triggers on a smoothie common? it doesnt seem necessary, but, again i dont know.   thanks for the patience and pictures, mark

Offline Chris in Washington

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Re: New Smoothrifle
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2008, 06:41:44 AM »
Omark.... well this is just my first from a blank.. I've built a few from precarved stocks before.   As far as the set triggers go... there are a few smoothies in the RCA books that have set triggers.  This gun has a patch box, cheek piece, and a rear sight... so I thought that a set trigger wouldn't be too far out of place.

I'll try to take some better pictures..... still learning how to work my new digital camera. 

Chris
Chris Statz

Offline Pat_Cameron

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Re: New Smoothrifle
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2008, 06:52:20 AM »
I love the paw print on the patch box.
great job.

PJC
AMERICAN LONGHUNTER
Seasoned woodsmen that depend on skill and knowledge to lead them to a successful hunt rather than the crutch of modern technology

http://www.americanlonghunter.com

Offline Gene Carrell

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Re: New Smoothrifle
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2008, 01:57:14 PM »
I love the paw print and the 'soft' finish.
Gene