Shell carving

[577SXS]

Does this shell look too big? I took it from a photo of an original rifle and it fits about the same.

[flehto]

Looks good to me...….nice design.  Did  the one  below many years ago, but I think yours would be more authentic. Possibly some added detail along both sides of  the tang?.....Fred

[Daryl]

Beautiful work, Fred.

[alyce-james]

Good afternoon Sir; very well done, waiting to see when carved. I to like to see some added design closer to the tang. Thanks for sharing, AJ.

[smokepole45cal]

Modeling and relief of wood around design will give a better perspective.  Strop those tool edges to keep sharp! Take photos please!

[smart dog]

Hi,
I carve rococo shells a lot.  The photos below may help you visualize the design in 3-D.














dave

[577SXS]

Thanks for the replies. Fred that is nice work. Dave I may have copied one of your shell carvings. I took a photo off the net that I thought was an original rifle but now I'm thinking it is one you carved. Nice work. I've carved a few shell patterns and free hand drew them. I'm no artist and getting details right is hard. I found I could take a photo of a photo of a rifle and them size it with my printer. I then used carbon paper to transfer image to my stock. Finding a good crisp photo looking straight down on a carving is hard to find.

Sam

[smart dog]

Hi Sam,
That you thought the photo of the carving was from an original gun is the highest compliment you can pay me.  I used that design on a mid-18th century English rifle and fowler.  I enjoy carving them.  Good luck.

dave 

[577SXS]

Started my shell carving and need some suggestions. I need some ideas on what to carve in the front panels so its not so plain.

[Stoner creek]

You’re looking pretty sporty in my opinion. My only suggestion would be to make the carving alongside the breech tang more fluid. Throw a gentle arc into that part and don’t follow the straight lines of the tang. You’ve got me wanting to carve another. Here’s one that I did under Mr Brooks’s tutelage.

Rock on buddy!

[smylee grouch]

Would it be taboo to incorporate wrist checkering with the shell carving? How about the shell carving with a wrist/thumb piece inlay? How about the inlay/carving and checkering?

[smart dog]

Hi,
Here are some ideas
dave

[577SXS]

Thanks that gives me something to look at. Nice beautiful carvings. I already have carvings on wrist, forend and butt.

[577SXS]

Here is what I came up with.