RCA #25

[davebozell]

I've been searching for more information on RCA #25 and have been unable to find anything.  The rifle is also shown in Kindig, but there is little information about it there as well.  I am especially interested in the incised carving.  Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

[Nate McKenzie]

Carving looks kind of butt ugly to me but I have usede it and its very easy to do.

[davebozell]

I wasn't sure whether the maker had a really bad dream or had something funny growing with his tobacco crop when he carved it.  It just seems so much different from the carving on other rifles from the same era.  Or maybe it's like one of those ink blot tests, and everyone sees something different.

[davebozell]

Nate,

Do you have any pictures of your carving that is similar?  I agree that the carving is on the ugly side, but it is so different, that it appeals to me.  I have not seen any contemporary work that is similar to it.  It also strikes me that the original builder may have had a sense of humor.  Has the original work ever been attributed to a specific builder?  Thanks.

[davebozell]

Would it be appropriate/allowable to scan a photo from RCA of the carving to include it here? 

[smallpatch]

The owner of that particular gun, used to frequent this board.  Maybe he will chime in??
By the way, that style of carving, though primitive, is not uncommon in the Reading guns.

[HIB]

Please provide correct e-mail address. The one posted on the ARL info does not work.
Thanks,   HIB

[tallbear]

I think if you look around RCA #25 is closely related to several other Reading guns both published and unpublished.It is a wonderful representation of a Reading rifle.The carving probably represents a builder that was looking to find his identity as an artist with his carving.While the carving may be a little naive the rifle is an important  piece of the Reading puzzle.I am defiantly a fan

Mitch Yates

[davebozell]

"Naive"pretty much describes my gunmaking abilities, so maybe it is appropriate to use some of it on my current build.  I agree, I am also a fan.

[alyce-james]

I think this style, RCA-25, is a great project to begin honing one's early skill level. The rifle has it own quite beauty.

[Dphariss]

I've been searching for more information on RCA #25 and have been unable to find anything.  The rifle is also shown in Kindig, but there is little information about it there as well.  I am especially interested in the incised carving.  Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

The carving is not that bad I guess if the flat places in the curves are fixed. This the primary problem I see. Curves in Kentucky rifles are not supposed to flat spots.
I would not make this rifle in a caliber over 45.
I would also point out that its not necessary to copy the carving. Use a better pattern from another Reading rifle.
My rule is not to copy ugly guns. So in this case I would either redraw the carving or change to a prettier design that was still acceptable to the "school".

Dan