These photographs are perhaps as fine a set of photographs, of this longrifle, as can be found anywhere. Thanks Jan Riser!
Certainly the large bore and long swamped octagon to round barrel profile contributed to the fine proportions of this piece, but it's difficult to ascertain, from them, how that profile converts to it's actual weight. When completed, this longrifle weighed right around 6.3 pounds. Light, balanced just ahead of the lock and a lively handling and very instinctively pointing piece. The low, traditional sights, lined-up just like double beads on a fine shotgun, when mounted.
If you haven't noticed, an almost imperceptible index mark on the head of the front lock bolt (Photos 19 & 20 of 29) which aligns a small notch in the bolt to accommodate the tapered ramrod, provides a very subtle hint to just how slender, a build, this smooth-rifle really is.
As I look at the photographs, the side plate is another Fondersmith influence. At the time, I wanted something that was a step off and away from the 'typical' Lancaster builds and Fondersmith, recommended by Allen, was the eventual direction that our conversations and elements of this project took. On the whole, I think, that Fondersmith is STILL overlooked. As I recall, Allen had just handled and examined an original Newcomer and when the layout started for my stock, that experience certainly influenced and inspired Allen.
The selection of the blank and the finish, described as warm and charming is, again, pure Allen Martin. Occasional, but liberal applications of Howard's Feed-N-Wax (Bees Wax & Orange Oi) Polish and Conditioner on the wood and metal, over the years, probably helped that warm and charming finish along, a bit. I've used it on all of my firearms, for many years.
I also remember calling Allen and recounting my conversation with Earl, to him.
Everything that happened after that, can best be described as... magic.
