Story rifle & a poll

[Eric Kettenburg]

Thanks for the additional detail.  I'm thinking of the alleged 'Deshler' gun and some other pieces I've seen, which have a very deep box mortice and the round holes drilled into the bottom of the mortice, so my assumption would be that something would be stuffed in there to keep them in place, and those that I've seen with the deep mortice all look gunked up and grungy so the only thing that makes sense to me is that the balls were pre patched with greased patches.  This piece here doesn;t look like that, looks very clean and the way the mortice/lid interact, there would obviously be no need for added material to keep the balls in place. 

What a great project!

[Avlrc]

Super. Nice work.

[rich pierce]

Really cool mix of features. Very early lock by my guess, funky side plate, step toe, later guard?, very fine carving. Plus the cool box and lid. Outstanding.

[Craig Wilcox]

Again, even after two years, you've done an amazing job.
I am beginning to restore a longrifle built and used by Isaac Hall in 1840, southern New York way west of NYC.  Stock is largely gone.  I do have the lock/sideplate section, and a good bit of the butt - very finely striped curly maple.  Looking for a blank now.
But my question for you is:  How in the world did you attain that wonderful color?  It is very striking, and is reministic of what remains on these pieces of stock.

[Joe S.]

Thinking if I was jmm76, I'd be making you an offer you can't refuse for it

[godutch]

 That's a joy to see. What a beautiful job. 'So many interesting side points of interest throughout the whole thing!  Thanks for posting.

[Marcruger]

That tang carving is sweet, but I really like the sideplate.  Very super nifty.   :-)   God Bless,   Marc

[Bob Gerard]

Boy, that’s a gem!
There is no need for a faque wrist repair!
I’m surprised at the narrowness of the butt stock, seen in the photo looking down at the top of the comb. I had thought guns from that period had much beefier butt stocks.

[Mike Brooks]

Boy, that’s a gem!
There is no need for a faque wrist repair!
I’m surprised at the narrowness of the butt stock, seen in the photo looking down at the top of the comb. I had thought guns from that period had much beefier butt stocks.

It's a late-ish gun. 1790-ish, maybe post 1800-ish. That's why it's narrow.

[t.caster]

Great story, project and finished rifle! Thanks for showing!