Another Antler Measure

[G. Elsenbeck]

I've admired one of Wick's powder measure for some time so I managed to make one similar to his.  Hopefully I did him proud. 
Not the best picture, but you get the idea.  This one holds 70 grains.
Gary

[smylee grouch]

Wow, I like it, what did you stain it with?

[LRB]

  Most excellent Gary!!!!!!!!

[Tim Crosby]

 Nice work Gary.  That spiral pattern looks great, good combination.  Lots of time invested in that one. 

 Tim C.

[hanshi]

That's a work of art, actually.  It's a fine example of craftsmanship.  Kind of a general question but for the spirals/carving/filigree is all the drawing done freehand?  If so that would eliminate those, like me, without opposable thumbs and with knuckles that drag the ground. 

[eagle24]

Very nice!

[LRB]

  Hanshi, I lay out  evenly spaced hash marks at bottom, middle, and top, then pencil a line that will make one full turn, or sometimes two.  Then I fill in the rest of the lines trying to stay equally apart. When it looks right, I spray it with satin clear laquer to preserve the lines while I file. I first cut them with a tri-corn file to make a guide cut for the round file, then round file them in. It isn't rocket surgery, but it takes time.

[hanshi]

Thanks for the tip, LRB.  I think I'll try that with the measure I just started on.  Who knows, it might turn out.

[A.Merrill]

    Great measure. I to would like to know what kind of stain?    AL

[RwBeV]

What kind of antler did you use?  Very Nice!!

[Gun Butcher]

Very nice work Gary. Those spirals are not "hard" to do but they can be a real pain in the butte to get right. At least they are for me.
Ron

[Leatherbelly]

  Hi Gary,
   Does that measure need a home? Dog ate my new 70gr measure.

[G. Elsenbeck]

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen, I appreciate it.  Especially from Wick.

As to kind?  It's a whitetail antler tip.

As to the coloring I apologize for the picture as it came out a bit lighter than what it actually is.  However, I started  with some aniline water based stains that I use for other things.  I began with a light wash of Light Golden Brown and after dried I followed that with a wash of Early American Cherry.   It's supposed to be sunny tomorrow and will get a better picture.

And thank you to Wick who pretty much summed up the whole process.  The only thing I did differently was laying down a piece of pinstriping tape by 3M to get my first line started.  After that it was pretty much pencil in another line by eye until I got the whole thing covered.  Sprayed it with cheap hair spray, let it dry and get it done.  Like Wick said, the lay out is the hard part as it may take a couple of tries.  It was fun, but takes me awhile.   My next one is going to be a little bit different  .

Thanks again guys.
Gary