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Author Topic: Reversing a "pinky rest."  (Read 2275 times)

Offline SingleMalt

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Reversing a "pinky rest."
« on: November 23, 2018, 09:02:58 PM »
I'm in the planning stages for my rendition of RCA #26.  I found a suitable guard, complete with long bow, but the "pinky rest" curves forward, not back as the original does.  It's a sand casting, so I'm very uncertain about bending it.  Does anyone have any suggestions to reverse the curve?
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Offline jerrywh

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2018, 12:31:34 AM »
You won't have any trouble if you heat it to a red heat and don't drink the whiskey.
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Offline Chowmi

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2018, 01:35:25 AM »
Is it brass or iron?

That will make a difference. 

Bend brass cold, I'm told.  Anneal it first, and often.   

Norm
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Offline SingleMalt

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2018, 02:08:49 AM »
Quote from: Chowmi on November 24, 2018, 01:35:25 AM
Is it brass or iron?

That will make a difference. 

Bend brass cold, I'm told.  Anneal it first, and often.   

Norm

It's sand cast brass.
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Offline rich pierce

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2018, 02:10:29 AM »
Major adjustments can result in breakage.
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Offline SingleMalt

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2018, 02:13:13 AM »
Quote from: rich pierce on November 24, 2018, 02:10:29 AM
Major adjustments can result in breakage.

That's my fear, Rich.  I thought about sawing it off, reversing it, and silver soldering back on.
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Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

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Offline Daryl

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2018, 02:20:34 AM »
Do you have a picture?
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Offline SingleMalt

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2018, 02:42:28 AM »
This is the original rifle.  This pic is from Smartdog's post about stock shape, from RCA.  This is RCA #26.

RCA26-Cheekside-0001-NEW-0001" border="0

This is the casting that I have to work with.

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Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

Offline jerrywh

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2018, 03:10:54 AM »
 If it's brass I wouldn't try to bend it back. Steel yes.
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Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #9 on: November 24, 2018, 04:01:03 AM »
The rail on your guard is much shorter proportionally than the photo of the original.  It is unlikely that you will get the spur to bend back as far as the photo of the original before it breaks off.  Sand cast guards usually have enough 'meat' that cutting and brazing will work.  There will be some serious file work following that process, but it is possible.  Creating guards that are closer to original is fun...go for it!
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Offline Gaeckle

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #10 on: November 24, 2018, 05:18:43 AM »
Personally, I don't think you'll get the results you desire because it looks like that guard is way off in the placement of the grip rail as it relates to the bow. I think you may have better success if you look at Muzzleloading Builders Supply trigger guard numbered 14450. It's on the first page of the online catalog. It's easier to stretch and manipulate sand cat brass as opposed to lost wax stuff, but there are limits that if pushed usually end up in a breakage. The guard mentioned may allow an easier solution because it is already in the basic shape you want to mimic.
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Offline smallpatch

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #11 on: November 24, 2018, 03:20:52 PM »
Single,
You won't be happy with that guard.  I don't remember which I've I used, but it had to be modified extensively.  The finials taper on the ends instead of flaring out, as well the entry pipe and buttplate.
This is a rough one, with a lot of details that need to be followed.
The only way to get a lock that is close, is a Chambers gunmakers lock, and shape your own.
I can't seem to find my photos, so I can't show them.
Hope this helps.
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Offline smallpatch

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #12 on: November 24, 2018, 03:32:55 PM »
Single,
Here's a couple of pics.  I have a bunch more if you're interested.





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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #13 on: November 24, 2018, 04:54:23 PM »
I'll see you Dane's Haga rifle and raise you mine. ;D I don't recall what trigger guard I used but I know I had to beat out the front finial so it would squash out. I might have something that would work better for you, take a look in the castings section. www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com





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Offline smart dog

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #14 on: November 25, 2018, 04:00:12 PM »
Hi Wayne,
I would not use that trigger guard.  The bow and rail are not going to match the original even with a lot of reshaping.  Goehring has a very good one that they call their David Dodds Reading or Berks County guard.

dave
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Offline SingleMalt

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #15 on: November 25, 2018, 07:30:27 PM »
Thanks, Dave!  I'll contact Reaves' daughter and see if she's got it in stock.  You don't know the number of it, do you?
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Offline smart dog

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #16 on: November 25, 2018, 08:10:27 PM »
Hi Wayne,
No, I don't remember the number but if you mention Dodds, they will know.

dave
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Offline AsMs

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #17 on: November 25, 2018, 10:34:17 PM »
I personally really like the casting you have.  Where did you get it.  I like those reverse curls on my rifles. 

AsMs
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Offline SingleMalt

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #18 on: November 25, 2018, 11:10:42 PM »
Quote from: AsMs on November 25, 2018, 10:34:17 PM
I personally really like the casting you have.  Where did you get it?  I like those reverse curls on my rifles. 

AsMs

That came from Allen Martin.
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Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

Offline jerrywh

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Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #19 on: November 26, 2018, 01:41:31 AM »
 Think about what happens when you bend a piece of metal.  Actually you are stretching one part and trying to compress the opposite side. Since you cannot compress a solid you must stretch the opposite the side twice as much. The thicker it is the more you must stretch it. Brass must be bent cold and does not stretch well at all but the thinner it is the better. This portion is too thick to bend that or even near it. Steel bends well when hot because it will narrow in cross section rather than separate as much. The alloy also comes into play. 360 brass alloy is about as flexible as brass gets, that is cartridge brass.  But I wouldn't expect even 360 that thick  to bend that well.  I like what Allen Martin said but that is not what you are trying to build.  In the end it's your baby.
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