Bedford style halfstock

[okawbow]

I had a wormy halfstock maple blank, an old/ new Colrain 7/8” x 42” x .45 cal barrel, a Chris Hursch lock kit, and Bedford styled buttplate and trigger guard. Had to buy a bedford set triggers. Everything went together quickly and I think it looks good as a halfstock. I’ll try it out for function in this rough “in the white” stage, and then decide whether to add a patchbox, inlay, and carving. Thinking of just leaving it plain. Will need to address the worm holes and tracks also.

[mikeyfirelock]

I like it !   When it’s stained, and browned it will be a stunning rifle ………and a joy to shoot .

[okawbow]

Shot it a few times yesterday. Goes off nicely. Close to right on at 25 yards. Slightly cutting patches at the lands, but groups well. 7 1/2# and holds very steady offhand, even with the 42” straight barrel. I need a barrel that long to be able to see the front sight clearly. Was concerned that the small butt plate and 4 1/2” drop would be hard on the shoulder, but recoil is hardly felt.

Will get the wood ready to finish or put on patchbox and inlays, and will rust blue the steel.

[okawbow]

Rust blued the steel parts and treated the wood with- yellow food coloring to raise the grain and highlight any rough areas. Then very dilute ferric nitrate solution and heat blush. Sealed with bee propolis in alcohol to give a little golden color and highlight the curl. In the process of rubbing in very light coats of BLO with 0000 steel wool. Will need several more coats and eventually a good paste wax. Still lots of worm holes and tracks, but most are not noticeable with the stain and finish.




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[jbigley]

Really nice! I like the Halfstock Bedford concept. Very cool. --JB

[Spalding]

Sharp looking rifle. I’m in the planning stages of a halfstock with a wood under rib. Is that hickory?

Bob

[okawbow]

The rib is white oak. Didn’t have any hickory or would have used it. The oak worked out well though, because I used screws to attach it to the barrel. Hickory might be stronger for attaching to lugs.

[Gaeckle]

That's cool, I like the color and the lines are smooth and sleek. Nice inletting also. The patchbox screams "Engrave me!!" I also like the wooden rib, bet that was tedious.

[okawbow]

I am trying to learn how to engrave. I have 3 or 4 rifles saved up to practice on when I feel ready. Most Bedfords had simpler engraving so it’s a good place to begin.

[Gaeckle]

Where did you get the stock pattern for that? I've been thinking of doing one of those

[okawbow]

I used the original George Fay Bedford rifle I own for a pattern. Bedford are not too hard to lay out. The comb is straight with about 4 1/2” drop and the buttplate on this rifle is only 3 5/8” deep. Everything else is about as slim as I could make it.

[Daryl]

Turned out VERY nicely. Well done. Same under-rib I put on my wife's Seneca rebuild.(except her's was red oak.