Lehigh rifle

[Nate McKenzie]

Hi. Just wanted to share a Lehigh I just finished. It started out to be a weathered Schimmel but I had this trigger guard and but plate and then there was this left over patchbox from another project and my chisels wanted exercise......



















Thanks for looking.

[greybeard]

Really fine gun Them lehigh guns kinda reach out and grab ya dontcha know.  Bob

[Hawken62_flint]

Great work Nate !!!  I love the look and feel of a good PA sytle rifle and the Lehighs really get my attention and my blood to flowing.  I really want to build one soon.  Thanks for sharing.

[Daryl]

Looks great, Nate.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I like your rifle Nathan.  You've certainly captured a lot of the architecture that screams "Lehigh".

As constructive criticism, I'd like to mention that I think that the fore and aft extensions of the trigger guard should have been inlet flush with the wood, rather than apparently laid on top.  I don't know if it's a "faux pas" but on all of the originals I've seen, the guard is inlet flush.
I especially like your carving design behind the cheek piece.

[Hangfire]

Nate, what kind of finish did you use on that stock?

[Nate McKenzie]

Taylor, forward extension is inletted.  Rear is not because it is screwed rather than pinned and most of the screwed ones I've seen are flush mounted.

Hangfire- I used LMF stains and stock finish. They're not as traditional but really hold up well, especially in bad weather.

Thank you all for your comments.

[long rifle]

I have a lehigh valley rifle i had built 16 years back,and also have built three for other people,i love them! them and the allentown/bucks county are my favorite styles,,your is bee-yoo-too-full!! love this! very sweet rifle,,,

[Jeff Stewart]

She's a beaut, Nate!

[Cory Joe Stewart]

I like your philosophy, let the chisles guide the project.  Awesome rifle.

Coryjoe

[GrampaJack]

Nate, I guess I should have looked at this forum before I started my Lehigh rifle thread on the antique collecting page. Did you have any issues like those we talked about over there on the concerns with drop and the ability to see the sights? If so how did you deal with it?  I plan to begin a Lehigh build this winter, did you work from a drawing? I have been unable to find a measured drawing through any of the usual sources like Track or the Log Cabin. That is a very impressive gun you built.  Thanks, Jack

[smallpatch]

Grampa,

Lehigh's also have a reputation of being cheek smackers, BUT

I'm on my second Lehigh build, and I own one built by the great Allen Martin, and while your thumb is just below your cheekbone, it's in no way IN THE WAY!
I've shot them with 90g FFFg loads, no cheek smack.

Maybe I'm built more like the Penn/Dutch settlers than a present day human.  I'm not sure but I sure like those Lehighs.  Nothing else out there quite so attractive architecturally.  What a mystery.

By the way Nate.... nice gun.

[Frank]

Hangfire- I used LMF stains and stock finish. They're not as traditional but really hold up well, especially in bad weather.

Thank you all for your comments.

Looks great. Which LMF stain did you use?

[FRJ]

That is just one sleek looking rifle!!!! Only thing I found about it that I didn't like it that the lock is on the wrong side. Very nice build. Frank

[Nate McKenzie]

I've had no problems with holding or kick. I've noticed most Lehighs have forward mounted low relief check pieces. This helps along with holding them on your arm at the shoulder rather than in the shoulder pocket. 
Frank- first coat honey maple, then walnut with a few drops of cherry in it.

[Curt Larsen]

Ja sure, You betcha, by golly boy that is one nice piece of work.
Curt