My First Build

[Vaquero]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to post the rifle I just finished for some constructive criticism. I’d like to thank Mr. David Rase for his advice and directing me to this forum, KRA CD, and helping me with the more difficult that I was afraid to screw up on my investment (inletting barrel, sawing profile and inletting the lock and buttplate). Also to Mr. Von Aschwege for his helpful blue print, and Mr. Ric Lambert on some aging ideas.

And especially a thanks to Mr. Wayne Watson who would let me come and make the drive to visit his shop in Ocala when I was in high school.

Some specs:
48” swamped Rice Golden Age barrel, .50 cal B weight
13.25” pull
Dunlap stock
Chambers Dale Johnson Lock
Mike Brooks buttplate and triggerguard
Approximately 6.75 pounds
Aquafortis stained
Kettenburg brown oil varnish (2 coats) with 5 coats of boiled linseed oil
Oil beeswax and neatsfoot to maintain 

I wanted to make a rifle that looked used for a few seasons, with an antique feel. I took aspects from one of Mr. Martin Allen’s rifles on his sight, as well as one by Mr. Von Aschwege.













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I hope this my first of many more, so please give me some points I could improve on.







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Davison

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

From what I can see in your diminutive photos, this is a very nice rifle for your first or 41st rifle.  Congratulations on a very well done build.

[Vaquero]

Thank you for the kind words Mr. Sapergia, and for letting me know about the pictures. I will try again.

[Daryl]

That is a nice looking rifle! Well done.

[mikeyfirelock]

Very nice work.......nicely executed and a very good looking gun.   Be proud of it.
Mikeyfirelock. 

[oldtravler61]

 Thanks for showing your rifle. I like it a lot. Simple style with purpose. Very well done. Hope my next rifle turns out that well.
  Oldtravler

[Mike Brooks]

Nice work. How did my mounts work for you?

[Vaquero]

 Thank you for the kind words guys.

 Mr. Lyons, thank you for your suggestion, and beautiful work by the way. I feel that is by far the biggest blunder on this rifle. As soon as I noticed what I had done, I knew it was not what I wanted.  I got more of the idea on the lock panel with the lock screws, I just  used a rasp and finished it with my scraper.  Definitely something I will do differently next time.

 Mr. Brooks, I thought the brass worked really nice. I am used to working silver more than brass, but it filed  and shaped easily. I just had to make a few modifications to get closer to the rifle  I was using as a rough model, number 17  Neihart on the KRA CD.

 I also just had to lengthen the step under the wrist to meet the spur of the trigger guard the way I wanted,  but I feel that the guard fit the architecture of the rifle nicely.

Davison

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Again, you should feel very satisfied with how your build turned out.  And having said that I'd like to offer some thoughts on how you might make your second one a little nicer yet.





In this image, I see that you left virtually nothing in the lock panel behind the tit of the lock plate.  Traditionally, there is a little more wood there, and the wood transitions in a gentle concave curve to the wrist.  Examine photos of originals to better understand what I mean.
Also, the forward end of your lock panel has an unusual convex radius that should be slightly concave going up to the barrel channel.
And lastly, the sides of your forestock beginning at the lock panel have a pronounced convex curve that would look better if the curve was more like that of an egg going to the barrel channel.  That would have reduced the slab-sidedness (flattening) of the forestock just forward of the lock.

These are important architectural points that will become apparent as you study originals in reference material and in person, and you continue to apply your skill.  Thank you for showing us your rifle, and we hope to see many more in the near future.

[Daryl]

I see you used what looks like a bone insert for the front sight.  They work well and look great, but are susceptible to breaking easily with any side force.
Be careful with the muzzle and it should be OK, It is nice and low.

[BrianS]

I like it!  Can you please describe how you finished/aged your steel - barrel and lock.

[john bohan]

I like your rifle good job ,I gave my first one to my son for a wall ornament, soon I may have pics of my latest that I won't give away.

[Vaquero]

Mr. Sapergia, I appreciate you taking the time to give me some help. I know exactly what you mean about the point of the lock plate area, but just so I’m clear...







This is the area you are referring to about needing a more concave angle in front of the lock to the barrel?

Again, I really appreciate understanding the finer points, so I’m glad you mentioned it.


Mr. Darryl,

That is actually some old Ivory that is part of my grandmothers jewelry supplies she gave me. I saw a sight on an original and definitely wanted to add it to my rifle. Thanks for the warning though!

Davison

[Vaquero]

As for the aging, after draw filing the barrel and taking apart the lock, I made a mixture of water, white vinegar, and salt.

After warming up the solution, I wiped the barrel and exterior lock parts, then allowed it to sit and rust.

Then I’d rub it back a little with 0000 steel wool, and repeated the same process probably a total of 5-6 times.

[BOB HILL]

Nice job on you first on your first build. Keep studying and you’ll only get better.
Bob

[ToddCook]

I like it! I've only made two so I don't know much yet, but your fit and finish looks great. Some of the architecture is subtle and I don't have it exactly right yet either. It's fun learning though.

[old george]

Very nice weapon indeed, a very nice warm color, I like it.

george

[pjmcdonald]

Davison,

I think I understand Taylor's points. I have made the same mistake on the fore stock a couple of times. I was attempting slim. What I found is that it is possible to take off too much wood in the wrong places. Hard to tell from the photos but maybe similar ahead of ramrod entry. Maybe this illustration will help. If I'm wrong, there will many here to correct me!

These are subtle details that, with study and practice, you will easily improve upon given the skill you've displayed so far.

Zooming in on your photos, your lock inlet is very neat and tight. Beautiful job on the wood finish, nice warm color. Overall, the lines look good. I'm a sucker for plain rifles, simple and well executed. I'd be proud to carry this rifle and I'm sure the critters won't care when dressed and in the freezer!

Regards,

Paul

[dogcreek]

Excellent build, Vaquero!

[Vaquero]

I appreciate the commendation guys.

Paul,
Thank you for the clarification. I really would like to get better, so I’m more than happy to learn more.
Gives me something to work towards.

As was mentioned, now time to put some meat in the freezer with it!

Davison

[Mule Brain]

Way to go on your first build

I am in the middle of my first build, and if I can get it to resemble a gun it will be a miracle

Which plan did you get from Von? 

[Vaquero]

Thanks Mule Brain,

I hope your build goes great.

I got the Rupp plan, but obviously i didn’t follow it exactly. Wanted to get as much info for never handling an original Lehigh...closest thing to it was a couple of Kuntz bench copy’s by Wayne Watson.



Davison