Eric Lau's from scratch Gillespie

[Dennis Glazener]

Eric sent me photos of the "from scratch" Gillespie that he recently built. Eric said I could post them here on ALR. Eric says that he used a router to cut the barrel channel and a drill press to drill the cross pin holes. Everything else was done with hand tools. He used a Green Mountain barrel, Davis triggers and my trigger guard and buttplate. If you have questions address them to Eric and I am sure he will answer them for you.

[Acer Saccharum]

Zounds! It looks like the real deal! An old gun, right out of the closet!

Marvelous job. I try for that used, yet well cared for look in a gun, and Eric, you nailed this very well indeed. Good lines in the stock. Nice looking rifle.

Tom

[grouchy]

Very unique looking and attractive rifle!

[wattlebuster]

I think it looks great. Looks original to me

[Michigan Flinter]

 I want to thank Dennis for posting these pictures . This rifle is for my Grandson who lives just west of Hendersonville  N.C. near where many Gillespie rifles were made. I hope I didn't have any of Dennis's kin turning over in their graves by my attempt to copy one of their rifles. It was a labor of love and kept me from getting cabin fever this winter. Hope to have some better pictures in the near future.  Eric D. Lau  Riverdale Mi.

[B Shipman]

Put me down as like it a lot. Good looking rifle.

[smokinbuck]

Eric,
Nobody's kin are going to roll over from your winter project. I think it turned out very well. Your grandson will be proud to be on the line with it.
Mark

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Very Nice Eric!!  I am building on e too so its nice to see the standard you have set!! 

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Fantastic!

Putting together parts for a mountain rifle build myself.  So thanks for posting.

Coryjoe

[brobb]

Nice rifle Eric. 
What I want to know is what you were going to hit with that big mallet?

Bruce Robb

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Looks like a great build Eric.  Great colour in the walnut.

Is it just the photo angle, or could you have straightened the comb line a little by removing wood from the for'd end?  I have to know how rifles with that high comb shoot...are they cheek busters?  I have a .50 cal barrel in a piece of red maple ready for such a build.  Hope mine looks as nice!

[Meteorman]

Like it.
Interesting to see a cheekpiece up close to the wrist like that.
There's another southern-style rifle with that look by Jim Hash on the blog.
nice work!
/mike

[54ball]

Very Nice.

[T.C.Albert]

Wow...nice build...gramps never made me nuthin like that...
tc

[t.caster]

Eric let me handle and critique this piece at our last shoot! I gotta tell ya, I thought he was pulling an old original out of his truck to show me! I don't know much about Gilespies, so I couldn't say much but, I LIKE it! I think I've been going for TOO high a fit n finish, because I do love the patina. Still has lot of file marks. He said he used two coats of aqua fortis to get it that dark. I haven't tried a-f on walnut before, but I will now.
E has now built guns for all his children & gr-children! Keeping the tradition alive! Way to go!