My 1st Build (Everyone please feel free to "critique")

[BrushCountryAg03]

I decided to dedicate my 1st ever build to my Dad as a Father's Day Present.

This was originally the "Fine Danish Gentleman’s Pistol" Kit from Muzzleloader Builder's Supply.  I decided to build it with a .40 caliber barrel to compliment my Dad's .40 caliber Hawkin Rifle and had Ryan @ M.B.S. cut the barrel down to 7 1/2" to try to take on the appearance of an original trapper-type pistol I saw in picture.

And to compliment the pistol, I thought he ought to have a good lil' patch knife from Anza Knives...










As you can see in this picture from the underside, I had a last-minute emergency and was forced to order a larger trigger guard to accommodate the Davis Trigger...In addition, it also sits off to the side because I honestly just wasn't able to bend it to look like I know it should have.

[Eric Smith]

I'm no expert critique, but I do know what i like and I like that pistol. You're Father should be proud!

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Well SSS, I have not finished building a pistol yet and there are certainly qualified experts here who can give you constructive feedback. I am very impressed with your fist gun. Nice wood to metal fit and finish.  Its an appealing piece alongside the rifle and i am sure your dad is grateful!! A great story!

One suggestion for the next one is to set the front RR pipe deeper into the stock. It will help the appearance of slimness  and reduce the chance of the RR catching on something.

Thanks for sharing this with us!!

What's next??

[BrushCountryAg03]

I'm no expert critique, but I do know what i like and I like that pistol. You're Father should be proud!

Thankyou Sir!

[BrushCountryAg03]

Well SSS, I have not finished building a pistol yet and there are certainly qualified experts here who can give you constructive feedback. I am very impressed with your fist gun. Nice wood to metal fit and finish.  Its an appealing piece alongside the rifle and i am sure your dad is grateful!! A great story!

One suggestion for the next one is to set the front RR pipe deeper into the stock. It will help the appearance of slimness  and reduce the chance of the RR catching on something.

Thanks for sharing this with us!!

What's next??

Thank you for the compliments Sir, I appreciate it.  You're absolutely right about the front RR thimble and I will keep that in mind on the next one. 

Here's my next one:
http://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/pistols/1763englishlight.html

I went with all brass hardware and a .54 cal barrel to match the caliber of my Lancaster Rifle, even though I probably should have gone with the original .62 cal.

It has been a pleasure to share this with everyone and you can be sure that this will not be my last project.

[Acer Saccharum]

Steel & Shot, I congratulate you on your build. You have done well. the pistol has really good lines. Looks 'right' in that respect. Your inletting looks good. Finish is nice. Overall, a well put together project.

Some things I noticed:
1) the sides of the forestock 'pinches in' at the forward end of the lock panels, when you view the gun from below. The forestock should be parallel or taper very slightly larger as it approaches the lock.
2) The grip also 'pinches in' rather extremely at the rear end of the lock panels, when you view the gun from below. A little narrowing is acceptable.
3) the guard: the grip section should be inlet flush with the wood. The forward end should be inlet about half way into the stock.

Keep up the good work, and look at the areas 1 thru 3 on original pistols if you ever get a chance.

Regards,

tom

[KLMoors]

I echo the previous comments. Nice workmanship on the wood to metal fit. I see that the front RR pin is sticking out on both sides. Shorten those pins up so they hide in their holes. The gun also seems flat on the bottom between the rear RR thimble and the front of the trigger guard. I don't know squat about pistol architecture but I am pretty sure that that area sould have a radius to it.

Overall, good job though. Someday I would love to build a set of pistols.

I don't have the links handy, but maybe somebody can post a couple of the links to the auction houses that sell a lot of antique guns. I tend to go to those sites when somebody links to them and save any pictures that I might want for reference later. I have two CD's worth of pictures that I have saved over the last several years. I find them real useful for working out the details on a gun. Not as good as actually handling a sample, but way better than nothing!

[dogcreek]

Nice work, SS&S. I'll bet your Dad was tickled to get that pistol. What wood did you use for the stock? Just wonderin'.

[hanshi]

I like that pistol a lot.  For a first build it is great.

[wattlebuster]

I like it. Lots

[B Shipman]

All of the above.  Perfect , no, but step back and look at it and it's a better than credible job. Keep at it.

[Eric Smith]

I echo the previous comments. Nice workmanship on the wood to metal fit. I see that the front RR pin is sticking out on both sides. Shorten those pins up so they hide in their holes. The gun also seems flat on the bottom between the rear RR thimble and the front of the trigger guard. I don't know squat about pistol architecture but I am pretty sure that that area sould have a radius to it.

Overall, good job though. Someday I would love to build a set of pistols.

I don't have the links handy, but maybe somebody can post a couple of the links to the auction houses that sell a lot of antique guns. I tend to go to those sites when somebody links to them and save any pictures that I might want for reference later. I have two CD's worth of pictures that I have saved over the last several years. I find them real useful for working out the details on a gun. Not as good as actually handling a sample, but way better than nothing!

Yes, i try to gather pictures of rifles/pistols to add to my cd's because I know it will be a long time before I get to see/handle originals. Just adding another arrow in the quiver.

[BrushCountryAg03]

Steel & Shot, I congratulate you on your build. You have done well. the pistol has really good lines. Looks 'right' in that respect. Your inletting looks good. Finish is nice. Overall, a well put together project.

Some things I noticed:
1) the sides of the forestock 'pinches in' at the forward end of the lock panels, when you view the gun from below. The forestock should be parallel or taper very slightly larger as it approaches the lock.
2) The grip also 'pinches in' rather extremely at the rear end of the lock panels, when you view the gun from below. A little narrowing is acceptable.
3) the guard: the grip section should be inlet flush with the wood. The forward end should be inlet about half way into the stock.

Keep up the good work, and look at the areas 1 thru 3 on original pistols if you ever get a chance.

Regards,

tom

Tom,

I think you answered the question to my own lingering doubt about slimming the stock in too much at those points you described.  And you're also right about the inletting of the trigger guard.  I'm currently building Pistol #2 and am keeping everything you have said in mind.

Thanks!

[BrushCountryAg03]

Nice work, SS&S. I'll bet your Dad was tickled to get that pistol. What wood did you use for the stock? Just wonderin'.

Thanks dogcreek...The stock was just plain 'ol curly maple that came with the kit.  In case you or anyone else is interested, here was my procedure for prepping, staining, and finishing the stock:

 - Sanded the stock beginning with 80 grit down to 220 grit.
 - Whiskered it with water
 - Lightly sanded with 200 grit
 - Whiskered it again with alcohol
 - Lightly sanded with 200 grit
 - Applied 1 coat of Wahkon Bay Aquafortis
 - Heated w/ heat gun until color change
 - Applied 2nd coat of Aquafortis
 - Heated w/ heat gun until color change
 - sanded again with 1200 grit
 - Applied last coat of Aquafortis
 - Heated w/ heat gun until color change
 - Applied at least 3 hours worth of coats of Amber Shellac
 - Applied a good coat of Renaissance Wax

Does this procedure sound about right for a "Traditional" type finish?

[BrushCountryAg03]

Thanks again KLMoors, hanshi, wattlebuster, B Shipman, E. Smith, and everyone for your comments & praise...I will be sure to try to put everything I've heard to good practice.

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Well, my experience is that a 1# cut of shellac makes a fine sealer after the stain is on. It helps slow the movement of humidity in and out of the gun. The problem with shellac on a gun as a final finish is that it is not waterproof and if it gets actually wet it is likely to turn white on you....your wax may......retard this problem but probably not eliminate it

After using shellac to seal I normally apply a medium oil varnish for finish coats and then Renaissance wax over that...

[BrushCountryAg03]

Well, my experience is that a 1# cut of shellac makes a fine sealer after the stain is on. It helps slow the movement of humidity in and out of the gun. The problem with shellac on a gun as a final finish is that it is not waterproof and if it gets actually wet it is likely to turn white on you....your wax may......retard this problem but probably not eliminate it

After using shellac to seal I normally apply a medium oil varnish for finish coats and then Renaissance wax over that...

Sir, I wasn't aware that you could put anything over shellac...of course I'm a total amateur.  What happens to the color of the shellac after the varnish is put over it? 

[smart dog]

Hi SSS,
You did well on your first pistol.  It looks pretty well made and the styling is attractive.  I think you have a knack for the basic architecture of a good pistol but you need to look at photos or handle some originals to understand how the lock panels should be shaped.  In addition, there is not much that is Danish about it.  It mixes some Germanic components (lock, ramrod thimbles) with English components (triggerguard, sideplate).  Before working on your second pistol, borrow or buy some books on flintlock pistols.  In addition check out internet resources.  Several good websites exist showing high quality pistols:
www.flintlockcollection.com
www.peterfiner.com

They should help.

dave     

[Curtis]

Excellent first build.  Distill and process the advice given and have fun with your next build. 

Curtis