Author Topic: Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)  (Read 2342 times)

Offline t.caster

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Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)
« on: February 15, 2018, 10:29:55 PM »
This is a 20 ga. smoothbore I built in 1997 for an apprentice in our Michigan Longriflesmith Guild. It is like one Shumway posted in Muzzle Blasts, Aug. 1989 under his Longrifles of Note column. He called it a Southern, possibly the Valley of Virginia with a lot of English influence.
I fell in love with it, and knew I had to replicate it someday. When John asked me to build a smoothbore and make it "any style you want to," I knew exactly what style to do, and I had the perfect piece of maple for it! Aproaching 80 now he has sold most his guns but said this one will stay in his family! I realized I didn't have any pics of it so he let me bring it home to photogragh.
Here it is 21 years later with lots of time honored patina, dings and dents from a lot of good use.
I have never seen anyone else build one in this style, so I thought I would throw it out there for discussion. I don't recall the barrel maker, but the lock is a very dependable L&R Queene Anne. I hope it inspires someone, and maybe someone knows more about the original that has a proof mark: RW with a crown above it.












owner attached a stip of buckskin to the pb lid so he wouldn't loose it.





















« Last Edit: February 15, 2018, 10:59:23 PM by t.caster »
Tom C.

n stephenson

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Re: Olde Southern Smoothbore
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2018, 10:40:12 PM »
Tom, I really like this piece. It looks like it would handle nicely. I like the cheek piece and the tang carving too. Nice Work!! Nate

Offline wattlebuster

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Re: Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2018, 03:35:05 AM »
I like this gun. LOTS
Nothing beats the feel of a handmade southern iron mounted flintlock on a cold frosty morning

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2018, 03:46:59 AM »
I'm looking at the comb line - and the drop at comb and heel....this will be a good shooting smooth-bored gun.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline BOB HILL

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Re: Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2018, 03:58:08 AM »
Fine looking gun, Tom. I'll bet it is a shooter. Thanks for sharing.
Bob
South Carolina Lowcountry

Offline Elnathan

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Re: Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2018, 04:07:22 AM »
Pretty gun, Tom. I think I have seen one other gun based on that original, posted here on ALR probably ten or twelve years ago. Coming to think of it, though, it was posted by the owner, not the smith, so it could have been this one that I saw....I think it was new at the time, though, so probably not.
A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition -  Rudyard Kipling

Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2018, 04:37:44 PM »
 Grrrreat Gun! I am inspired, it's been awhile.

   Tim

Offline t.caster

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Re: Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2018, 05:24:12 PM »
Handles easily, shoots very well, dependable, hence...a keeper.
Bore still shines like a mirror. Not suprising since the owner was a Navy man who did machinegun maintenence and alignment on fighter planes.
Tom C.

Offline Dr. Tim-Boone

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Re: Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2018, 05:48:04 PM »
A beautiful piece! Terrific as a settler's work horse gun! nicely done.!!
De Oppresso Liber
Marietta, GA

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Offline oldtravler61

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Re: Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2018, 01:53:08 AM »
  Tom nice looking smooth bore. Like everything about it...Thanks for showing...

Offline B.Barker

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Re: Olde Southern Smoothbore (contemporary)
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2018, 05:08:01 AM »
I like the cheek piece carving you put on it. Neat little gun.