Mark your words are too kind
, Thank you. That rifle was the longest project I've ever built - I learned a lot and it's my regular shooting gun, but looking back on it I didn't have much fun building it. Now I've learned to enjoy the process much more and let the gun be what it wants to be, so to speak. That was my first foray into using an original formula varnish that I brewed - it has darkened significantly over the past 7 years and is much brighter underneath where the surface has worn, as you can see in these pics. I took some newer photos of the rifle last week but they didn't make it onto the blog in time. Someone a while back on the forum said First you become a gunsmith, then you become a photographer... I've got lots yet to learn on both fronts
. One of these days I need to learn how to forge a triggerguard and buttplate for a southern gun. Got two pistols on the bench right now - Back to work on them!
-Eric
