No. 1 put on a diet.

[WV_Mountaineer]

I had earlier posted pictures of my first build http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=14534.0.  After receiving some good feedback from forum members and others, I took the advice and had the privilege of handling several beautiful originals. So, I went back to the bench to slim the lower forearm, wrist, and lock panels.  Here are the results.





Hopefully, we are getting closer to correct architecture.

[wetzel]

I missed the original but it sure looks slim and graceful.  Did you have to sand it down completely to remove the finish and stain?  How did that work with the carving?

[WV_Mountaineer]

Wetzel, Thanks for the kind comments, yes the finish was removed over the entire rifle.  Stain was only removed from heavily sanded areas.  Everything else had to be lightly sanded to blend the original stain with the new.  The old stain did further emphasize the curl, and I like the lighter color overall.  Most of the carvings were lightly sanded, but had to remove original tang carving and recreate.  Unfortunately, I started getting into some unusual wood growth related to a bark inclusion on the side plate side.  Had issues rebrowning tang, as well.  Will probably rebrown barrel next time I am browning.

[wetzel]

ah, that makes sense.  I've wondered how one would do that.  Good job, that is a wonderful looking rifle!  The figure really does look great next to the light brown.  Thanks for the post, I always like to see projects!

[Pete G.]

Before completely rebrowning the barrel, try some light sanding, then wipe with cold blue, and scrub it down with one of those green scrubber pads and WD 40. Gives a nice antique look to the metal, and if you don't like it, then you can rebrown if you want.

[WV_Mountaineer]

Pete G., Thanks for the suggestion.  Sounds like just the look I am looking for.  Will give that a try.  Any particular type of 'cold blue' you recommend?  Thanks again, Steve

[Hawken62_flint]

Looks much better, and I especially like the lighter color of your finish.  I thought that the earlier finish was too dark and did not show off your carving and the figure of the wood as well as it could have.  That said, I still think that you did a fine job building this rifle from scratch as your first build.  Look forward to burning some powder with you and your new rifle.

[Long John]

WVM,

You have achieved a real nice riflegun.

On you next gun here are some things that you might want to keep in mind.

1. The tools you are using for your carving are not 1/2 sharp enough.  I can tell by looking at the place where your carving meets the surface of the stock.  Your carving tools have to be shaving sharp!  Before I start my carving I have usually shaved all the hair off my knuckles from evaluating the edge of my carving tools.

2.  The trigger guard is let into the wood so that it just seems to grow out of the stock wood.  There should not be any verticle edge showing on either TG extension.

3.  Before letting in a part like a lock plate, side plate or tang, file a slight draft on the edge of the part, about 5 degrees.  This will make it easier to get a nice tight, gap-free inlet.

Best Regards,


JMC

[satwel]

I went through the same exercise on two of the first rifles I built. They shot fine, but didn't look quite right. I couldn't put my finger on it. After a lot of lurking on this board, I realized I had left too much wood on the fore ends and around the lock panels. Completely stripped then fixed both rifles. Still not perfect but much improved.