Author Topic: Moravian/RCA #40 Rifle (Read 12727 times)

tallbear · « **on:** March 14, 2014, 02:40:00 AM »

This is a rifle I've wanted to do for a long time , I think I filed out the hardware over three years ago.I resolved to get it done this winter around other work.It is loosely based on RCA #40 an early Christian Springs rifle closely related to the Marshal Rifle.While I've always liked the architecture of this rifle the carving is very naïve to say the least so I upgraded it a little.It has a 38" .54 cal Rice D weight barrel and a modified Chambers Early Germanic Lock.It is stained with aqua -fortis of my making, sealed with seed lac and finished with Tried and True Varnish oil.As always all comments are welcome.

Mitch Yates

VP · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2014, 03:39:57 AM »

Mitch,
What is not to like. The color, finish and architecture are excellent. I think you upgraded the carving nicely.

Van

KLMoors · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2014, 04:09:39 AM »

Real nice Mitch. I think you captured it just right.

I'm finishing up a similar gun too, but mine is from a Clay Smith pre-carve stock.

I have a question- How much drop is in that stock?

Thanks,

Ken Moors

bob in the woods · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2014, 04:18:39 AM »

That is precisely the type of rifle that grabs my attention . Beautiful job ! I really like the finish. I've used a lot of Tried and True Varnish myself. My fowling gun is finished with T.&T. and it has held up well.

RichG · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2014, 04:20:31 AM »

I like the overall appearance and I love the color of the stock. anything special about the aquafortis? I'm thinking about doing RCA #48 and using a D weight .58. Hows the balance with the D weight .54?

oldfox · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2014, 04:01:51 PM »

Beautiful work as always Mitch!

tallbear · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2014, 04:05:46 PM »

Ken

Drop is 3"

Rich

It handles very well ,it's fine in .54 , .58 would just be little lighter.

The aqua fortis is 4 parts distilled water to 1 part nitric acid with wrought iron dissolved in to it that I make myself.

This rifle and another will be on York County Firelocks table at the Baltimore show this weekend if anyone wants to see it in person.

Mitch

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2014, 04:30:48 PM »

That is a Good looking rifle. It may sound trivial but the transition from the breech area to the Barrel really flows well. I like the small step with the faint scallop from the carving.

Tim C.

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2014, 05:12:45 PM »

It's not trivial, Tim. Details like the transition from breech to stock either make or break a gun. This is very nicely done.

wattlebuster · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2014, 02:36:05 AM »

Excellent work. Very nice carving

Ed Wenger · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2014, 02:58:50 AM »

Sweet rifle, Mitch! Did you make the butt piece? Lot's to like, really nice, thanks for posting!

Ed

dlbarr · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2014, 10:42:11 AM »

Yessir, Mitch that's one beauty. You do some exemplary work! Really really like that.

kaintuck · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2014, 01:54:31 PM »

Good job!

Lucky R A · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2014, 03:49:19 PM »

Hi Mitch,
A really nice job on the gun. I think you did a great job on the carving and overall execution. I just completed the closely related Edward Marshall gun for a client. My gun is a bit more to the worn antiqued side. I will post it in another thread so possibly we can get a little compare and contrast going to help guys find their taste in guns. Nice seeing you again at Lewisburg.
Best wishes

Ron

Robby · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2014, 07:53:23 PM »

The Moravians are coming out of the woodwork! Great job Mitch!!!!
robby

Hemo · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2014, 08:20:37 PM »

Beautiful work!
Do you have a supply source for your Tried and True finishing oil?

Hemo

pushboater · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2014, 08:51:37 PM »

Great job Mitch! Love the color.

Capt. David

James Rogers · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2014, 03:21:09 AM »

Very nice Mitch. I have been going to pictures of #40 since you posted this. Some elements of your tang carving reminded me of a fowling gun I had pictures of on my computer. Finally found them.

Tom Currie · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2014, 03:28:34 AM »

Mitch, Very crisp and elegant carving design and execution. Your fit and finish is always top notch.

bama · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2014, 04:28:38 AM »

Great job Mitch. You just keep getting better and better. See you at the CLA.

Curtis · « **Reply #20 on:** March 17, 2014, 06:59:11 AM »

Excellent carving there Mitch. You captured the "feel".

Curtis

tallbear · « **Reply #21 on:** March 17, 2014, 03:57:27 PM »

Sorry for the delayed response I was at the Baltimore Gun Show for the weekend drooling over a bunch of original guns.

Thanks for all the kind words about my rifle they are appreciated.

Ed

The buttplate is a reworked BLOB from Reeves.

Hemo

I ordered the Tried and True through Amazon(because I had a gift card)but it came from Woodcraft I believe.

Mitch

Ed Wenger · « **Reply #22 on:** March 17, 2014, 04:36:58 PM »

Thanks, Mitch. I wasn't sure if you swaged it out of brass stock of reworked a cast one. Looks great!

Ed

Bill-52 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 17, 2014, 11:29:51 PM »

Very nice indeed, Mitch. Always very clean and crisp work that flows together beautifully. Great to catch up with you at Baltimore. Bill

cmac · « **Reply #24 on:** March 18, 2014, 02:11:04 PM »

Nice work! Love the Moravian rifles

News:

Author Topic: Moravian/RCA #40 Rifle (Read 12727 times)

oldfox

dlbarr

kaintuck

Hemo

pushboater