Author Topic: Inspired by RCA1 #33, Reading swivel breech (Read 14788 times)

Randall Steffy · « **on:** February 01, 2012, 06:15:55 AM »

I post here for your review and critique, my latest build. This was a natural progression of passion for the swivel breech, to finding the most detail available in book form in the RCA #33, to getting to know helpful owners of Reading wenders, to finally pulling the build together. She is double .50 cal rifled, large Siler external lock parts, aqua fortis exclusively as stain, Chambers oil finish, and lamp black added for shading/softening. The weight is a solid 10 lb. 4 oz. I have yet to sight it in thoroughly, so the front sights will get filed down some. Thanks to everyone who posts here on the ALR site and makes this an unparalleled treasure trove of information on the longrifle. You can view more pics at https://ibb.co/album/bQ0k3v

smylee grouch · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2012, 06:22:11 AM »

Looks like nice clean work, I like it. Smylee

Tom Currie · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2012, 06:25:13 AM »

Randall, Your work looks really clean and well done. That build is quite an undertaking. Whose swivel breech machanism did you use ?

Randall Steffy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2012, 06:51:12 AM »

Tom,
The cock, frizzen, pan and frizzen spring are production parts. The balance of the mechanism is acquired the hard way. Study/design/build. A challenge, but thoroughly satisfying.

rich pierce · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2012, 07:13:15 AM »

Whooo-hooooo! Love it.

draken · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:50:54 AM »

That is just simply beautiful!

alex e. · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:11:57 AM »

Very nice!

runastav · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2012, 11:54:32 AM »

Hi!
Very nice, no photos of the building?
Runar

Majorjoel · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2012, 01:55:57 PM »

Randal, your hard work and study sure shows on this fine piece! Superb! I really like it!

Lucky R A · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2012, 02:41:54 PM »

You are quite the craftman. Your hard work has produce a beautiful result of which you can be proud!

Tom Currie · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2012, 03:55:30 PM »

Randall, That makes your work doubly impressive. My hats off to you.

Dr. Tim-Boone · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2012, 04:01:40 PM »

Very beautiful and impressive!!!! You do fine work. I would be very proud just to own that gun, let alone to have built it!!

Don Getz · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2012, 04:25:51 PM »

Randy.......nice job, very well done. This is not a job for the novice. You have done a super job of pulling this all together, not an easy one...........Don

Dphariss · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2012, 05:01:37 PM »

Very nice indeed.
My 40" barreled 50 cal weighs 11 pounds even.
I have another started but its been put on hold right now.

Dan

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:26:56 PM »

You've done a terrific job on this build. The fit, finish, carving, architecture...everything - very lovely.

May I ask, what length are the barrels? Are they tapered? Is the forearm panels, or one piece? Pictures of mechanism? How do the barrels disassemble? Like Dan, I have a wender to build, and yours is inspirational.

Dave Waters · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:43:27 PM »

Randy, you have every reason to be properly proud.

Dphariss · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:49:53 PM »

People who have not made a Wender do not really appreciate the difficulty.
It can be "technically challenging" the first time around or even the second.
This is a VERY nice job.
As has been pointed out the workmanship is really nice throughout.

Dan

JTR · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2012, 01:03:27 AM »

Great job Randall, and good pictures to show her off properly too!

John

MarkEngraver · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2012, 02:52:01 AM »

Randall,

Now why'd you have to go and do that ?
I was perfectly happy ........ now I want one too !
Beautiful job !

I only have one problem ..... it's all that blank brass "canvas" screaming for some engraving !

Mark,
but that's just my thing !

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2012, 03:05:15 AM »

Yep, you did a fine job. Hope you keep on building!

Randall Steffy · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:14:08 AM »

Thanks for all the kind words, guys. To answer several questions; The barrels are 36" + about 11/16" for the patent breech. The rifle overall length is 53". The barrels are swamped and the forestock is one piece, not slab sided. The web of wood between the barrels is about 0.100" at the breech. The patent breech has a square tennon which is inserted into the front swivel plate. The barrel is drawn tight and held by a hardened screw with a chamfered point in the top of the swivel plate. This pointed screw engages a slightly offset hole drilled by a center drill in the top of the barrel tennon. The design works well. More build pics can be seen at http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg1/rsteffy1/Swivel2/

Randall Steffy · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:23:31 AM »

MarkEngraver,
I would have been disappointed if someone had not voiced your "bare canvas" recognition. I am in agreement. However I am torn by the Reading school distinction of leaving brass unengraved many times. Note #33 is unadorned, which leaves a plain rifle, and the beginning engraver letting out a sigh of relief on this particular build detail. But then again, no pain, no gain. I am torn.

Curtis · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:46:08 AM »

Very nicely done, it is a beautiful gun for sure. Inspirational to those uf us who hope to try their hands at one of these swivels someday.

B Shipman · « **Reply #23 on:** February 02, 2012, 08:25:19 AM »

Well done. An act of gunbuilding bravery. I'm a coward and have never done one.

Cody Tetachuk · « **Reply #24 on:** February 02, 2012, 08:38:41 AM »

Very nice. Needs engraving. However, IMO it's far to well done to engrave yourself if you are not confident in your abilities. Like carving, no engraving is better than poor engraving. There is no shame in hiring an accomplishes chiseler to scratch that brass. I understand your desire to remain true to a school, however, leaving the furnishings bare was wrong then just as it's wrong today.....unless it's a CVA. Git 'er done, you'll be glad you did. Just my not so humble opinion.

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Author Topic: Inspired by RCA1 #33, Reading swivel breech (Read 14788 times)

Dave Waters

MarkEngraver