Woodsrunner rifle detailed pictures

[David Rase]

I am currently building this rifle as a 16g smoothbore with hand forged iron mounts.  Rifle is in the white and ready to carve.  It is going to be pretty cool if you ask me.  I also have a ton of photos of the original although none of the photos were of the rifle disassembled so I appreciate you sharing your pictures Jim.
David

[Joe S]

It appears that the flash hole is in a bushing. Is that correct? Perhaps a bushing to repair an oversized/burned out flash hole? I'd be interested in knowing the diameter of the flash hole. Does someone have that dimension?

[rich pierce]

I’ve noted that bushings in old rifles are often very tiny, maybe not much bigger than a #10 bolt.  That suggests they were saving labor drilling a small hole; just enlarging the burnt out original touch hole, and not interested in internal coning.

[Darrin McDonal]

One interesting thing you can see in these photos is that the barrel tennons or draw loops on early rifles were not slotted where the bbl pin passes through. I have -never seen an original that had slotted pin holes. I would still recommend that they be slotted however due to the dynamic fluctuations in wood movement in relation to the static position of the barrel pins.
Darrin

[rich pierce]

Also, many underlugs are small semi-circles. Rarely see anybody using that type today.

[Stophel]

I always shape mine that way, because if you leave the tenon sharp and square, it will absolutely cut you wide open when you rake it against your hand!   

[Craig Wilcox]

I truly like the Woodsrunner - it looks as tho it was well-used in it's day, for sure.  And held up very well, also.

I agree with you and several others of the posters that we strive too hard to achieve pure perfection.  We have factories for that - but I for one know that "I" am not perfect, and doubt that I ever will be.

I do pride myself on my craftsmanship but the minor mistakes I make along the way indicate that, whatever else, I did try hard.  The bumps and scrapes along the way just prove it - and me - were not made in a factory.

Craigo