2018 era fantasy build - .50 Cal from a Chambers Haines kit...

[oldtravler61]

  Jon you mean Mike's giving up the outhouse in the corn field...walls I'll be...
 Jon your rifle is coming along very well..Thanks for showing...

[BillF/TRF]

This is a great series of pics for me to use as a new rifle builder.  I too purchased a rifle kit from Jim Chambers but mine is the early york county model.  I asked about moving the barrel back to align with the touch hole sweet spot.  They said no, don't move it back because the barrel shape is the swamped type and then it may not fit well.   They said  keep it where it is and to file a small groove in the plug threads to have the touch hole meet the barrel powder.  What did you find happen to the fit of your barrel after moving it back?

[Kingsburyarms]

I found it to fit very well - There were more factors than just the touch hole (as you know) to make the barrel fit - The tang, the fit of the breech against the wood, the already cut inlets for the lock and plate - so my best bet was to align the barrel to the proper position based on where the lock plate actually sat. (Back and down)

Last pre-carve for me... it's a juggling act to fit all these parts together with a roughed out form of what it is "supposed" to look like - my stock must have shifted in the mount while carving, as nothing lines up.

Just set that barrel in tight and align the touch hole like in my drawing and your swamp barrel will remain just fine in the forstock.

Jon

[Kingsburyarms]

OK, Some carving progress:  Getting there - these are not scraped or finished, just rough carved, doing the cheek piece and stock now, should have it ready for finish by end of the weekend -

[Mike Brooks]

Curiosity has got me now. What was your inspiration for this fleur-de-lis carving theme?

[Kingsburyarms]

One more detailed one:

[Kingsburyarms]

Curiosity has got me now. What was your inspiration for this fleur-de-lis carving theme?

I'm a big fan of Alexandre Dumas, after reading a few of his books (I own all of them),  I studied period designs, clothing and firearms, and came up with my interpretation... 

[Kingsburyarms]

Here are some initial drawings and designs I found interesting and fit into the period design -





I drew up a stock design that wraps it all together - carving that now.... The fleur-de-lis as in insert (Depth) and raised vines.... should have a great 3 layer effect...

[Adrie luke]

I saw your carving and it looks great!
I had the same question as Mike, but you gave me the answer.
As far as I can see the carving looks a little bit flat, may be you can make it softer with some details.
In the picture you see what I mean.
But it is your rifle and this is only a suggestion.

[t.caster]

Thanks Mike - on this one, seeing I have already removed the wood under the tang, will have to keep it's radius, so I can keep a strong fit - or I can square it off and (gulp) Acra-glass it... Anyone have blanks for sale? I'm ready if you are...

What happened to the walnut blank I sold you a few months ago?

[Marcruger]

This one is definitely a Southern rifle.  Southern Louisiana.  Tres Francais!  I like it.  The carving looks clean so far.  I look forward to seeing it finished.  God Bless,   Marc

[Kingsburyarms]

Thanks Mike - on this one, seeing I have already removed the wood under the tang, will have to keep it's radius, so I can keep a strong fit - or I can square it off and (gulp) Acra-glass it... Anyone have blanks for sale? I'm ready if you are...

What happened to the walnut blank I sold you a few months ago?

Next in line - just got the barrel and the hardware - No worries -

[Kingsburyarms]

I saw your carving and it looks great!
I had the same question as Mike, but you gave me the answer.
As far as I can see the carving looks a little bit flat, may be you can make it softer with some details.
In the picture you see what I mean.
But it is your rifle and this is only a suggestion.

Just began shaping the carving... wait until you see the engraving -

[Justin Urbantas]

you should go whole hog, and build a French matchlock musket

[Kingsburyarms]

That would be a fun project - - -