Author Topic: Current project by Bama - Ladies Rifle - updated with engraving 8-30-16 (Read 10453 times)

bama · « **on:** May 24, 2016, 06:53:13 PM »

First let me say thanks to everyone at the CLA show that stopped by my table and said hello, it was great to see you all. Celeste and I had a great time as allways. I had the pleasure of having a John Bivins rifle displayed on my table and that got quite a bit of attention. It was one of his earlier rifles but still a great work of art, thanks Tim.

I had the finished ladies rifle on display and it got quite a response from everyone. I started this rifle the last part of March and worked on it pretty much full time except for a few projects that I had to get out. I think it turned out pretty good. Here are a few pictures of the finished rifle. Thanks for looking.

The post below was originally part of Davebozell's "Show us your current project" thread. The moderators have split the many projects in the original thread out into individual threads so the members can more easily ask questions and the builders can more easily answer.

You guys sure have a bunch of interesting projects in the works. It will be great to see all of the updates on these.

Here is my current project. It is going to be a ladies rifle. It will have a 12 1/2" trigger pull, a hand inlet 38" long 50cal "B" weight barrel and one of the best pieces of sugar maple that I have ever used, it has very tight stripe from nose to butt and is very hard. It is going to be a caplock, I am using on of Jim Chamber's conversion lock for this project. The triggers are modified Davis triggers.

Here are a few pictures:

davebozell · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2016, 03:05:22 AM »

I'm glad to see several of you hand inletting your barrels. Mine has been slow going, but I'm slowly making progress. (As well as learning new ways to dig walnut splinters out of my fingers.)

bama · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2016, 08:16:15 PM »

A few more pictures of this project. It is moving along slowly but I am in the carving stage and should finish the carving this week. Next week will be the engraving then on to the finish hopefully the next week. I hope you enjoy the pictures and thanks for looking.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2016, 08:51:34 PM »

That's going to be one happy lady when your done. Very nice.

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2016, 09:40:20 PM »

Bama the rifle is coming along right nicely. It's posts like these that give a clear picture tire of how the building process is done. Thank you very much. Mike

greybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2016, 09:58:52 PM »

Bama. Would you explain the latch set up on the patch box please? Looks very different to my eye.
Very grand rifle I must say. Bob

SingleMalt · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2016, 11:53:14 PM »

The carving and wire inlay are top notch. I'd like to see details of the box release too.

Howard · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2016, 11:58:10 PM »

Jim, I like that! Good job so far.

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #8 on:** July 14, 2016, 12:18:05 AM »

Very nice. The wire work looks like two different thicknesses, is it or is it just the photo? For some applications thicker looks better, to me anyway. Did you cut it?

Thanks, Tim C.

bama · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2016, 12:45:17 AM »

The release is what is called a hidden hinge release. This is where one of the hinge knuckles is false and acts as the release button. In this case it is the upper knuckle. This type of release is found on some Virginia rifles by the Lauck and Sheets families of gunsmiths and probably others.

Picture of the upper false hinge knuckle.

Picture of the false hinge knuckle with the side plate removed so you can see the push rod.

Inthis picture I am trying to show how the false knuckle is slit so it will move over the end of the side plate enough to release the catch.

I hope this helps you understand the release. It is not an easy release to make and everything has to line up perfect for it to work but once you have everything right it is a dependable release.

bama · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2016, 01:06:59 AM »

Sorry Tim I did not see your post about the wire until I posted the release pictures.

Yes I cut my own wire ribbon from sterling sheet. This sheet is fairly thin, sorry I forget the guage. It is all one thickness. I do taper it a bit in places so that may be why it looks like different thicknesses. I like to cut my own wire ribbon because I can control the width of the ribbon. Most that you buy is to narrow for my taste plus not many offer sterling wire. I determined a long time ago that life is to short to use German Silver wire ribbon. I do use brass wire sometimes but it is easier to use than the German Silver wire as it does not work harden as quickly.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2016, 01:34:35 AM »

Gonna be pretty spiffy!

SingleMalt · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2016, 01:42:04 AM »

Your box latch release makes perfect sense and after reading the post, I remembered seeing it somewhere. Maybe "Recreating The American Longrifle?" Good job!

PPatch · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2016, 02:00:37 AM »

Quote from: davebozell on May 25, 2016, 03:05:22 AM

(As well as learning new ways to dig walnut splinters out of my fingers.)

My technique with splinters (the small ones) is to leave them alone for a day or two, it is then very easy to pop them out due to the puss that surrounds them. True.

dave

PPatch · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2016, 02:01:57 AM »

Bama; That is a beautiful rifle. Nice work all around, the inletting on that butt plate return finial is tops.

dave

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #15 on:** July 14, 2016, 02:33:04 PM »

Quote from: bama on July 14, 2016, 01:06:59 AM

Sorry Tim I did not see your post about the wire until I posted the release pictures.

Yes I cut my own wire ribbon from sterling sheet. This sheet is fairly thin, sorry I forget the guage. It is all one thickness. I do taper it a bit in places so that may be why it looks like different thicknesses. I like to cut my own wire ribbon because I can control the width of the ribbon. Most that you buy is to narrow for my taste plus not many offer sterling wire. I determined a long time ago that life is to short to use German Silver wire ribbon. I do use brass wire sometimes but it is easier to use than the German Silver wire as it does not work harden as quickly.

Thank, TC

P.W.Berkuta · « **Reply #16 on:** July 14, 2016, 05:21:52 PM »

Fancy - Schmancy -- LOOKS GREAT -- love to see the final product

Top Jaw · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2016, 03:51:11 AM »

Why are you covering all that nice looking wood up with carving Jim!?

That one's gonna be a beauty!!

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2016, 04:36:21 AM »

Mighty fine rifle. The patch box release is very cool.

Joe S. · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2016, 01:33:09 PM »

Going to be a real nice rifle.

bama · « **Reply #20 on:** August 01, 2016, 01:44:59 AM »

I have started the engraving on this project and thought I would share a few pictures. I hope to have this rifle finished for the CLA show this month. So I had better get back to work.

SingleMalt · « **Reply #21 on:** August 01, 2016, 02:03:17 AM »

Nice, crisp engraving.

wattlebuster · « **Reply #22 on:** August 01, 2016, 03:12:59 AM »

very sharp

B Shipman · « **Reply #23 on:** August 01, 2016, 05:02:50 AM »

Really like the release.

draken · « **Reply #24 on:** August 01, 2016, 05:18:57 AM »

Bama, Superb job on that patch box release!
Are all the white metal inlays coin silver or are they sterling ?

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Author Topic: Current project by Bama - Ladies Rifle - updated with engraving 8-30-16 (Read 10453 times)

greybeard