Author Topic: Just finished Lehigh (Read 13409 times)

D. Bowman · « **on:** February 11, 2011, 11:44:24 PM »

Finally finished this rifle that I've been working , on and off (mostly off) for about a year.

Stock wood is curly ash
Barrel is a 38inch .45 Green Mt
Butt plate and trigger guard are Reeves castings
lock is Chambers brass plate siler
Other hardware is hand made

All comments good or bad are welcome.

KLMoors · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:18:58 AM »

I can't comment on your architecture as I don't know squat about Lehigh's, but your fit and finish sure looks nice. Those brass castings a gorgeous. I think I'd countersink that butt plate screw on the top a tiny bit more but that is a super duper itty bitty nit pick.

Mike Norin · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:32:42 AM »

It looks like you did a real good job on that one , everything looks clean and nice...... Mike

gusd · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:42:54 AM »

Very Nice!!!! Looks great in ash!
Gus D.

rich pierce · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:47:59 AM »

You're brave to carve curly ash- great looking rifle.

Don Getz · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:49:40 AM »

Looks good, especially with curly ash, not the easiest stuff to work with. Two things I don't like.....trigger is too far forward in the guard, and the trigger itself, way too much trash on the back side.........Don

Dr. Tim-Boone · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:51:49 AM »

Like Fred I don't know squat about Lehigh guns.... but that is a beautiful gun!! How does it shoot??

t.caster · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:53:45 AM »

Aside from what Don said, it is OUTRAGEOUSLY BEAUTIFUL! Man that wood just pops out!

D. Bowman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:55:59 AM »

First two shots out of her at 25 and 50 yards offhand. I think I'll let the sights alone for now

Pvt. Lon Grifle · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:59:27 AM »

That is a GREAT rifle ! Regards, Lon

okieboy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2011, 02:57:31 AM »

Interesting piece of wood, would you be willing to say where you got it?
I thought Don's comment about the trigger was good, and was sitting here trying to figure out how to apply it. The sear mostly determines the location of the trigger pivot point and it doesn't look like the guard could be shifted forward. I wonder if the pivot point stayed the same, but the pad of the trigger was moved back 1/4-3/8" (even with that little point), then the trigger would be better centered and the stuff in back would be cut in half. I think that the leverage would stay the same?? One nice thing about it, one could make and try different triggers pretty easily.
As for your target, if that is new gun offhand, I'm afraid you are going to trounce me if you come to York.
P.S. That is about the most expressive Liberty Head that I've seen.

Kaintuckkee · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2011, 03:08:53 AM »

Well done......great shooter to looks like

bama · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2011, 03:12:22 AM »

Very nice workmanship on the fit and finish. I have to agree with Don on the trigger and guard. I think you may have painted yourself into a corner with the stock profile, trigger location & guard shape. I have seen a few originals that were a little tight on the finger space. It for sure does not bother it's shootin ability!

Still a very nice rifle.

Paddlefoot · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2011, 03:55:32 AM »

Wow, If it were mine I'd probably try to fill the grain on that Ash a little more but it's just an awfully nice rifle. Yeah I might play with the trigger too. Well done sir. How did you manage to get the sights so close on the first outting?

D. Bowman · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2011, 05:19:20 AM »

Okieboy, The wood came from my private stash. I am in the tree service business and this tree was uprooted in a customers back yard about 8 years ago from a tornado that went through the area. You could see curl 30 feet up the trunk where a limb split off. Needless to say that log went home with me that night. I didn't want to come back the next day to find it had been cut to fire wood.

okieboy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2011, 05:32:59 AM »

I don't think that there are many success stories of self cut stocks, but this is certainly the exception that proves the rule.

smshea · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2011, 06:48:52 AM »

She came out Nice

! Cant wait to handle it.

A.Merrill · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2011, 06:49:23 AM »

You have built a very fine gun, something to be proud of. I like the brass lock plate, nice touch. As for the metal in back of the trigger, I would get out my drill an needle files and make it a C or S scroll. All in all you did a great job, great looking gun. AL

WyoRider · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2011, 11:03:41 AM »

Beautiful craftsmanship! I especially like the ivy pattern on the butt; the way that soaked up your stain really sets it apart.

Bill-52 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2011, 04:23:07 PM »

Very nicely done. What did you do to achieve that finish on the barrel? Bill

Stophel · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2011, 04:32:57 PM »

Dude, you rock! And don't worry about the "off center" trigger.

Tom Currie · « **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2011, 04:39:40 PM »

Fit and finish appears first rate. Nice work.

D. Bowman · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2011, 05:36:24 PM »

Bill52,

The barrel was draw filed then browned with LMF Browning sol. then worked back with ooo steelwool and 800 crocus cloth.

dogcreek · « **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2011, 08:22:45 PM »

It's a beautiful rifle. Nice craftsmanship. I'm a rookie builder but I'd agree with Paddlefoot that the wood pores should have been filled. However that's a minor criticism. Congratulations on a job well done!

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #24 on:** February 12, 2011, 10:31:59 PM »

I like the rifle a lot. It has the architecture of a fine easy shooter, and that means a lot to me. A little bit of artistic license in file work is fine too, so the trigger thing is a personal preference thing. The grain on ash is huge, and I like it as it is. It's a splendid piece of wood, and the colour and finish are great.
Overall, a lovely rifle.

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Author Topic: Just finished Lehigh (Read 13409 times)

D. Bowman

Mike Norin

D. Bowman

Pvt. Lon Grifle

Kaintuckkee

D. Bowman

WyoRider

D. Bowman