Early PA rifle completed..couple added pics

[Tom Currie]

Thought I would post some pics of my Early PA rifle I started last November.It's pretty much done althought I always have a hard time ever saying a build is completely done.

Sort of a Early PA fantasy gun in that it has design elements that I like from many originals and also things that I have taken from some of my favorite comtemporary builders. Some of the elements are plagarized from Allens Martin's work, I apologize for that Allen and only hope you consider that a sincere form of flaterry.

the butt carving is my design taking favorite things from some original designs and some things Iike from contemporary builders design and blending them into a design that I like to think could have been an orignal 18th century design. I like volutes.

My tang screw is not tightened down in these pics sort of missed that when taking pictures.
   

Chambers early germanic lock
Reevers Goerhing castrings ( trigger guard is Jack Haugh pattern guard heavily altered )
Rice 44# 54cal caliber barrel
sideplate, pipes, nosecap, trigger hand made

Hope you all like it

[Mike Brooks]

Nice gun. I really like what you did with the trigger guard.

[Acer Saccharum]

I second that.

I will reserve a spot on the gun rack for it... ...you'll be bringing this to Dixon's? Right? Please?

[P.W.Berkuta]

What's not to like about this rifle -- nice work !

[t.caster]

NICE! How about a closeup of the patchbox carvings?

[smart dog]

Well done Tom!
Very original and creative.  I like the dark reddish brown color too.  I second Mike's comment on the triggerguard.

dave

[E.vonAschwege]

I think the carving design suits the "early PA style" very well - definitely some Christian's Springs in the carving.  Designs don't have to be exact copies of an original in order to be appropriate, your interpretation of the best features from a few guns is entirely justified and shows great creative talent.  The original makers didn't usually do the same exact pattern for each gun, why should we  .
-Eric

[Tom Currie]

Couple added pics

I am not entirely happy with bow lid but It'll have to do for now...looks better without closeup 

[smart dog]

Hi Tom,
If you will permit a comment, I think your carving chisels may need to be sharpened a bit more.  It appears in the photos that wood may be tearing away in your incised cuts and around the borders of the relief carving.  I swear, I spend as much time sharpening my tools as I do cutting.

Again, very nice gun, Tom.  You've captured the look and feel of an original gun very, very well.

dave    

[wattlebuster]

Very well done. 

[Tom Currie]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I appreciuate all your replies.

Tom, Lord willing I'll be out to Dixon's in a few weeks and bring " her " long

Eric A, I need to get out to PA more often than once a year, maybe Lewisburg next winter. Would be nice to get together.

Dave, That's a good eye. My V tool likes to tear when you get perpendicular to the grain and it happened on this gun. This wood is not hardest wood I have worked and that didn't help. One thing I've learned about incised carving is your wood better be hard and your tools sharp.

Geez, My box lid looks lousy that close up. I don't think it matches the level of effort the rest of the gun has. I didn't have enough wood from the blank . It's actually a harder piece but didnt carve real well, sort of brittle and didnt scrape well either. Wish I had worked harder at it. 

[BIGMAN]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Working on my first rifle in 30 years and hope you don't mind if I use yours as a model. Beautiful.

[rich pierce]

Especially like the cheek piece carving and sideplate design. 

[whitebear]

Beautiful, What kind of stock stain did you use?

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I like what you did and hey, each one is a course in itself. Can't wait to see the next one. I bet youy will be a little happier with it...and necver satisfied....its the addiction!!
 Good on ya!!

[Tom Currie]

Ian, I sure wouldn't mind at all

White bear, My base is a transfast water soluble orangeish dye with a very light spirt vanish immediately followed by a darker red brown dye. I followed with Chambers finishing oil with some dark trans tint dye mixed in and to darken up non wear areas.  And then Chambers oil straight on that. I the rubbed the shine off with 0000 steel wool with baby oil as a lubricant.

Dr Tim, Your right . I always am trying to get better. Never quite satisfied. It's an addiction for sure.

[whitebear]

Thanks Tom.