My first build..... 1812 Mathew Gillespie "War Boy??"

[54ball]

 
 In 1812 due to the war with Britain and Redstick raids into Tennessee, a Gillespie cousin requests a new rifle from Mathew. He needs it fast. It needs to be a woodsrunner with a bore of 29 or 30 to the pound.

 Here it is. Please share any comments or critiques.
 Specs....
 bbl...Colerain 44" Bivins profile Cwt .54
 Lock...RE Davis Common with gooseneck cock,tail shaped and filed round
 Stock...Dennis Glazener 1810 Mathew Gillespie pattern Black Cherry
 Furniture....Glazener Gillespie Rifle works iron triggerguard, brass pipes
 Triggers...RE Davis
 Features.....
 This rifle is built as best I could like a Gillespie. The barrel is fastened with pins and a wood screw. The breech tang is filed to a point. The triggers are secured in the stock by the iron guard. The trigger plate is filed to a point.
 This rifle provided much of the inspiration, plus many from the book:The Gillespie Gunmakers of East Fork North Carolina. http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=8015.0

















 I cant say enough good about Dennis' parts and support.

 

[wattlebuster]

I like it

[Richard Snyder]

I like it....A LOT!!!

[Molly]

Nice.  Great pics as well but you left out your toes!

[54ball]

 Well, looking at the pics shows some areas I'm not to thrilled about. For the finish I attempted a base coat of shellac with an oil finish on top. It needs to be rubbed down again. There are some uneven areas of glare or shine especially around the lock panels. Those shiny spots in the finish amongst the satin gives the illusion of rough work around the lock panels and flat spots in a some areas. In person, those areas are smooth.

 Overall I'm not too happy with the base of shellac. Since it's so new, hopefully those shiny spots will rub out and wear evenly. If I had it to do over again I would use a straight up oil varnish or BLO based finish. 

[Mike Brooks]

I like it. I have been wanting to get one of these for some time now for my own use. I am also considering a C weight barrel in .58 with a 1 in 56 twist. How well do you like that lock? I have one and am considering using it. I'd rub all that fish down and maybe go with a tung based finish rubbed back again followed by Bri Wax.

[SingleMalt]

I like it.  There aren't enough utilitarian rifles being built today. 

As a side note, I use thinned shellac as a filler before applying varnish.  I mix my own with flakes and denatured alcohol.  The trick is to mix it really thin.  If a shiny spot appears, wipe it with plain denatured alcohol.

[54ball]

 Thanks everyone.

 Mike,
 I like the lock. I feel it's a very versatile lock that can be modified for many styles of rifles. I did have to tune it for it to function correctly. The sear bar is high, about mid plate so if sets are used make sure the trigger bars are tall enough. The tumbler and cock are crooked and lean to the left. I had already modified the plate when I noticed it.
 I think it's going to be a good one but it did require some work.

[Bob Roller]

Thanks everyone.

 Mike,
 I like the lock. I feel it's a very versatile lock that can be modified for many styles of rifles. I did have to tune it for it to function correctly. The sear bar is high, about mid plate so if sets are used make sure the trigger bars are tall enough. The tumbler and cock are crooked and lean to the left. I had already modified the plate when I noticed it.
 I think it's going to be a good one but it did require some work.

Sounds like "quality" work.

Bob Roller

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Very well done. 

Coryjoe

[David Rase]

I think you captured the feel and essence of your inspiration very well.  I want to build a large bore plain Jane no frills Gillespie for myself sometime in the future.
David

[ghost]

Very nice!