Let the cutting begin...

[J. Talbert]

Time to hone some gouges and get at it.











Well it looks like posting these pix has shown me a few places that need tweaking but that shouldn't take long.

Jeff

[Mike Brooks]

That should keep you busy for a while. I look forward to the end result.

[smart dog]

Hi Jeff,
That is going to look great!  The only thing I would change, and it is just my taste, is I think I would have only 3 fat round leaves in the rear ramrod tang carving and the thin leaf going under them rather than over.  Then I would cross hatch the internal space framed by the leaves.

dave 

[J. Talbert]

Mike, you don't know how right you are. 

Dave, I,m not altogether thrilled with the design behind the entry thimble.  I'm trying to keep it in line  with Eister's work, but I don't have any great pictures of that area and the ones I have, as you might guess show a lot wear on that spot.  I'm not that good at filling in the missing elements.
Are you suggesting just eliminating one of the leaves, the top maybe, or do you mean to change to 3 fatter leaves using about the same space?
I was already leaning toward crosshatching in the upper space since Eister used it so often, and it's part of the engraving design.

Thanks,
Jeff

[PPatch]

Nice layout, good eye. Can't wait to see your progress.

dave

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Very pleasing designs...looking forward to the results.

[smylee grouch]

Very nice design, I too look forward to the carving outcome. Thanks for sharing.

[James Rogers]

Liking it Jeff!

[smart dog]

Hi Jeff,
Your designs look great and I can't wait to see the finished product.  I love Eister's work.  My thought was to eliminate the inner leaf of the ramrod tang design leaving the others the same position and size, running the single leaf under those 3 leaves, and cross hatching the internal space defined by the leaves.

dave

[Mike Brooks]

I thought that might be an Eister copy. I've always wanted to do one of those.....maybe after I retire. I'm sure you'll do a great job with it.

[Jim Kibler]

That looks nice.  Your post reminded me I never responded to your message.  You might consider a slight change to the incised line from the carving that is in front of the cheek and extends up the wrist.  Seems to dip down a little much for my eye.

Looking great and defenitely show us tour progress.

[Ray Settanta]

Nice design and pencil work. Please document your progress. It should be a wonderful learning experience.

[J. Talbert]

Dave,
Thanks for clarifying.  I'll have to experiment with it and see how it looks.

Jim,
I figured you had a lot on your plate just before Bowling Green.  Anyway thanks.  I managed to get a little more separation in the wrist area by altering the beaver tails, which was my original area of concern.  Now that you have pointed it out, that incised line does appear to be dangling down there a bit low.  If you had't said so I probably would have decided the same thing on my own, right after I had cut it in.

Thanks,
Jeff

[bama]

Hi Jeff

That is going to be a good looking rifle when you're done. In your first picture it appears to me that the design is not complete where the scroll meets the comb carving. I also think that the design at the rear thimble needs a little change. I am not familiar with his work so if you are copying his design then continue on, I feel the leaf tendrils are not flowing out of your outside scroll work as it should. I know that you have been working hard on your engraving, so think of it in terms of an engraved scroll. You shell patern at the rear of the breech plug has one to many shell ends right where it meets your 4 petal flower.

Your are doing a great job.

Jim