first blank build

[Lucky R A]

     I would suggest that you purchase Dave Hanson's book, "The American Longrifle it's art and evolution."    The book costs around $175.00 but is undoubtedly the best reference book for those wishing to build many of the major guns.  It has an extensive array of photos of the best known Verner rifle as well as one of the best Shuler rifles.   After reviewing these photos you will have a much more informed appreciation of the architecture of a Verner rifle, and the Bucks Co. style of building. 
      Many of the precarve and contemporary "Verner/Bucks Co." rifles badly miss the mark.  Your first mistake was trying to build a Verner rifle around a short barrel, and things went south from there.  You are obviously very skilled, and used good components in your build.   You seem to be very capable of building a rifle that truly reflects the architecture and style of Andrew Verner's work.

Best of luck on your next build
Ron

[flinchrocket]

Nice job Troy

Thanks flinchrocket, still waiting on your visit to our mill....

I'll be calling in a couple weeks

[little joe]

Gentleman, Troy is a friend of mine.I have helped him all I can as I,m no carver and  NO artistic ability. On the wood, that piece in the gun is the hardest I ever worked as I got a sister piece. If you are looking for a fine piece of wood he is the guy to see. Very honest to deal with and a very easy going. Cannot wait to see the next one.He says (Oh I don,t know) but it will happen.Little  Joe

[Clark Badgett]

Where is this mill?

[Sweeney]

Hi Clark B, I live in Vincennes but our mills are in Loogootee and Odon. You?

thimble rig, I envy access to the big lake but not sure I would trade our hills and trees for it.

hortonstn, I followed Jim Kibler's process of staining as posted on his blog for the fowler but I doubled the tannic acid application because on a trial run with an axe handle from the same tree it was too light for me. then I applied two coats of tru oil but quickly brought down the gloss on that as directed by those here on ALR then put multiple coats of Kelley's finishing oil on and was satisfied.

[Sweeney]

     I would suggest that you purchase Dave Hanson's book, "The American Longrifle it's art and evolution."    The book costs around $175.00 but is undoubtedly the best reference book for those wishing to build many of the major guns.  It has an extensive array of photos of the best known Verner rifle as well as one of the best Shuler rifles.   After reviewing these photos you will have a much more informed appreciation of the architecture of a Verner rifle, and the Bucks Co. style of building. 
      Many of the precarve and contemporary "Verner/Bucks Co." rifles badly miss the mark.  Your first mistake was trying to build a Verner rifle around a short barrel, and things went south from there.  You are obviously very skilled, and used good components in your build.   You seem to be very capable of building a rifle that truly reflects the architecture and style of Andrew Verner's work.

Best of luck on your next build

Thanks for the info/advice. I greatly admire and respect the builders who follow the originals. but I will confess for me there is a balance between historically correct and practical necessity as an aging hunter. I love to hunt elk in high country and that gets increasingly difficult as aging renders me more mass than energy - thus the shortened barrel. I fell in love with the Verner for purely its looks - the lines and curves - the way I once fell for women. But upon holding/shouldering a Verner copy I knew it fit me like no other. I think I need a smaller caliber - say a .40....and likely another Verner. And so it is with no small amount of trepidation I feel another build coming on...perhaps even historically correct.

[Clark Badgett]

Hi Clark B, I live in Vincennes but our mills are in Loogootee and Odon. You?

Oh, you are a good piece west of me. I'm here in Floyds Knobs, by Louisville.

[Lucky R A]

Sweeney,
       At 73, I understand the aging process.  I remember "Pulling an all nighter," prepping for a test, now I brag about pulling an "All dayer," that is a day w/o a nap. 
       I think if you build a true Verner rifle with a 40 cal. 42-44" ( A) weight barrel you will be amazed at how easy it carries....of course you would not want to tackle big game with it.   You are harvesting some beautiful wood there and are lucky that you can get someone to cut it for you.  I once cleaned a half dozen walnut butt logs w/ root balls and took them to the mill.  I got a flat refusal, and had to saw off the root ball before they would cut them...

[lost arrow 801]

Amazing. And what a piece  of  wood