Seniors moment.re Berks gun finished

[greybeard]

Looking at that cheek piece (and you may be shortening it) It looks a mite long and should really be shortened up so it does not appear overpowering on that side of the butt....   Some nice tapered grooves cut in the thick part would also be nice.  P.C or not!

Thanks Roger; Glad you pointed that out. I might have caught it when laying out the carving as the front of the cheek piece looks to be near to an inch to long. I'm pretty sure the carving behind the cheek piece will fit O K.

[greybeard]

Seems my photo bucket has gone for a $#@* amd lost a bunck of my pics. RATS

These pics are to show how much I have taken off the forend. MORE?
 The muzzle end is left full on purpose  as I have to take it down for the nose cap
   Bob

[rich pierce]

I generally want to see a bit more than half the side flat exposed.

[greybeard]

I generally want to see a bit more than half the side flat exposed.
[/quoteThanls I will take off another 1/32 of an inch and see how it looks. I'm being a bit chicken here.
Bob

[b bogart]

Bob are you making your nosecap or using a store bought one ?? If you are making one shape that forend down to finish size, then make your nose cap to match. Much easier.

[greybeard]

Bob are you making your nosecap or using a store bought one ?? If you are making one shape that forend down to finish size, then make your nose cap to match. Much easier.

Thanks. My plot is to take the bottom off first  so just a trace if thr RRgrove is left then  rasp the rest sto an oval very close  to finish size . I hate fitting caps to swamp barrels!!!

[greybeard]

The hurrieder I go the behinder  I get. Finally got the nose cap done . Looks like I got mad at it.
There are a couple of divets that I cant file out. May have to age the gun a bit to match the nose cap lol  !!!

[greybeard]

I  have the forend molding bout done and some incised carving , like  I have  seen on Berks county guns, behind the entry thimble.

I still have a bit of work to do along the molding th straighten it out a bit more.   Bob

[A.Merrill]

    Nose cap looks good and a good job installing it to. Nice carving to.    AL

[greybeard]

Thank you Al. I'm always open to sugestions and ideas.
    Bob

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

It's looking very good Bob.
Have you thought about how to stain it?

[greybeard]

Thanks Taylor;   I have made son[me vinegaroon but don't care  mch for the color. . It's a bit better if I wipe on a light red disolved in alcohol. I have done it before and after the vinegar. I had a bottle of home made nitric that is really old so I diluted it by 1/2 with water and so far I like it the best. More vibrance in the stripe. Never used acid before so am a bit nervous about it but seems ok on the test strips that David sent with the stock, 2 slabs off the sides 36 in long.Still have to let in the p box 2 escutions  and lay out the carving behind the cheek rest and tang, a month or so I expect. Workin kinda slow. Any ideas???
    Cheers   Bob

[greybeard]

Patch box finial is bolted down. I got a couple of phoney black images so a couple of  spots have a bit of slack to deal with later. I'm trying to put the curve in the sideplates without anealing  them and it'sproving a bit of a challenging. Hard brass don't  bend to easy. Might resort to using the vise and draw fole the divets out.
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[Leatherbelly]

 Hmm, the finial going to be the "Lehigh Lady"? Great on going thread Bob and very nice work.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Bob, there's no reason not to anneal the brass - just heat is with a propane torch 'til dull red, and drop it into water at room temperature.  It will comply much better after that.

And use steel screws for final attachment...not brass!

[greybeard]

Thanks folks.  Taylor: these are the working screws. Final assembly will be case hardened blue.

[greybeard]

Well I have the P B inlet . Just have to trim the lid and make the catch.  I learned two more swear words in the last couple of days  but it's behind me now.The release will be hidden under the upper side plate. May be not P C but I kind of like them.
 

[Daryl]

Looking pretty good, Bob.  Quite a trip, A.

[longrifle]

Really beautiful so far.

[greybeard]

Thanx guys. Comments & opinions much appreciated.  Bob

[Curtis]

It is starting to shape up very nicely there Bob.  I like your engraving on the P B lid, the finial and sidedplates are just waiting for some of that engraving too!

[greybeard]

It is starting to shape up very nicely there Bob.  I like your engraving on the P B lid, the finial and sidedplates are just waiting for some of that engraving too!

Thanks Squirrel Heart. I have been looking at a few Berks gun engraving styles and as yet to decide on wht I will do. I am wanting to keep it fairly simple in style.I have the PB latch (hidden) working and will post pics in a day or two. I am unhappy about the butt plate fit but will have to live with it. Thanks for your comments, Cheers  Bob

[greybeard]

Happy 4th to all my American friends.  I had a really good chat with a freind in Mtchigan last evening and felt motivated so went out to the shop today and engraved the P B finial and the two side plates. I'm fairly pleased with the results. At 77 the body don't want to do everything that the mind asks for. Thanks for looking.    Bob

[Tom Currie]

I'd say that's pretty nice work. One sugestion would be to replace those brass screws with steel ones though.

[Daryl]

Ya done good Bob.  quatro on the screws