Building a Leman

[Davemuzz]

I've been working on a Leman build for about two months or so. I doubt I'll have it ready to go by this fall's Pa. Flintlock season as I'm not rushing anything. I already have a 50-cal flintlock for hunting. This Leman style (with a few "things" of my own) will be in 54 caliber. Anyway, here are some pic's of the build that I've taken as the build progress. I have previously built a 50-cal flintlock pistol.....and now that I've purchased some resource build books, the flaws of my first build are so apparent!!

I tend to focus on one small section at a time......sometimes to completion, and other times just partway.

[Roger B]

MLBS has a nice Leman patch box (not the "wilted lilly" cap box) that would great on your project.
Roger B.

[Davemuzz]

Thanks Rodger. I'm not a big fan of patch boxes.....especially one's that look like T\C Hawkens. That's the style sold on the TOTW kit. I didn't purchase the kit, but most of the components.

I looked at the MLBS 10950- GS H. Lehman Patchbox, and it does give a much better look. I don't know if you can tell me if there is a push button patch box opening that MLBS has for this patchbox.

Thanks much!!

Dav

[Roger B]

Yep.  They have a button release that pretty much everyone else sells also.
Roger B.

[SingleMalt]

The lock inlet looks a little rough around the edges.  Make sure your chisels are razor sharp.  It doesn't hurt to strop them every few cuts before sharpening again.

[Davemuzz]

Yes.  As my work progresses on this build, I get a little better at making smoother cuts. It's just an experience thing. BTW, I keep my fine stone right beside me and it's always oiled. I usually do the stone strokes after 3 or 4 cuts.

Thanks for your input!!

[smart dog]

Hi Dave,
Do not, I repeat, do not cut the moldings around the lock and side plate at the stage of stock shaping you are at. In fact, don't cut them in at all on this particular gun. Just shape the wrist and lock area with half round rasps and files so that the panels form naturally as you round the wrist, and top and bottom of the lock area.

dave

[SingleMalt]

I keep my fine stone right beside me and it's always oiled. I usually do the stone strokes after 3 or 4 cuts.

Make a strop from an old leather belt cut into two pieces and glued to a piece of 2 X 4.  You want the smooth side facing up on one piece and the rough side on the other.  I use metal polish (Simichrome paste) on the rough part.  A few light passes, dragging the cutting edge on the pasted strop, not pushing it,  then a few on the smooth and you'll a see a big difference in how your tools cut.

[Davemuzz]

Got it. Thanks much. I may even have some strop paste hanging about somewhere in the vast, deep, dark places of my workshop. You know how that is.   

[alacran]

Sharp chisels and gouges are critical to good inletting. However I find that final fine fitting on any inlet is best accomplished with a scraper. I have been using a Jerry Fischer scraper. I bought it from Brownels. Before I acquired it I used a 1/4" chisel as a scraper. I have made smaller versions of Fischer scrapper's, with only one side having a scrapper on it.

[Davemuzz]

Got it ready to apply Aquafortis Reagent to the wood. All parts except the barrel are ready.

[rich pierce]

Great progress. Keep us posted. Want to see what color you get.

[Dphariss]

Original Leman, stamped "Connestoga Rifle Works" lock stamped 1840.

[Dphariss]

Just FYI. It was never fired so far as I could tell.

Pics taken 30+ years ago IIRC.

Dan

[Davemuzz]

Wow!!  Thanks for the pictures. I've looked at about 1,000 pics from the internet but I think those you have posted are the most detailed. The tape measure helps!!  It appears to me that this original Leman had a trigger LOP of 13.75" to 14.0". 

I made mine 13.0" when I wear those heavier hunting coats.

[stubshaft]

Looking good.  I'm thinking of either another smoothy or Leman full stock for my next build.

[Elnathan]

Is the cheekpiece supposed to be convex like that?

[Davemuzz]

Is the cheekpiece supposed to be convex like that?

Likely because of the camera angle it may appear to be convex. The cheekpiece "rises" out of the stock and is flat to the angle at the end. Near the top you are seeing the extension of the wrist and the drop in comb. The curve of the rear of the cheekpiece must appear to make the it look convex to the camera.


Edit: upon further review......I put a straight edge on the cheekpiece from top to bottom.....your good buddy!!!  The ever so slight convex musta "snuck" up on me during some of the final fine shaping. From front to back it's fine.

[Davemuzz]

I got the barrel now browned. I like it! Waiting for stock finish products to come.....also waiting for sights. I'll cut the groves for the sights when they get here......drill\tap for the touchhole.....call it a day!!

[Huntschool]

Davemuzz:

Really nice work.  I hope the stock color comes out well for you.  Cant wait to see the pictures.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Your sequence of building is unorthodox, to me at least.  I install the vent, and cut dovetails prior to final finishing...definitely prior to browning.  Smart Dog was trying to steer you away from using a rat-tailed file to accentuate your lock panels but you have done it anyway.  Those areas that are concave around the lock plate should be very shallow concave and not exaggerated.  I did this very thing for dozens of rifles before I realized those coves should be very shallow.  Not having originals to fondle was my excuse.  I know you are going to be delighted with your rifle when it's done, but if you are interested in more historic replication, I suggest you follow the advice offered freely and without malice.

[Davemuzz]

Thanks for your post Taylor. I did take Smartdogs advice, however my lock plates had already been done wrong when he gave me the advice. What I did after that was to clean the lock plates up as much as possible, without going to far in removing to much material. I wanted the browning applied in one fell swoop on the barrel so as to not have the dovetails catch 'n drip any solution. May be unconventional, but I feel a little more confident doing it this way. Drilling and tapping the flash hole is not a big deal. I've drilled 'n tapped everything from the size of toasters to the size of dump trucks since I was 18. (Elliott Machinery Co.)

I have learned much from this build. My mistakes are obvious to me now, and you and others have been great at pointing out areas that need improvement\attention, and I thank you and all others for that.

Dave

[Huntschool]

Dave:

The build is really good for your first rifle try.  Are their things that could have been better.  Sure we all live, read, rub other guns and learn.

Please continue to learn your craft.  Read the books, watch the videos etc.

You done good

[Davemuzz]

Huntschool...First, thank you for your comments on my build. I did purchase and study prior to my build "The Gunsmith of Grenville County".  I read, re-read, and did many of a Google search to find out and attempt to decipher as much information on the Leman....and "How To" as I could.

But I believe that there is nothing like "diving in" and doing something like this in order to determine if you can build a historical rifle with as few mistakes as you can.

Well....I've learned a lot about what to do.....and more importantly...what not to do.

I know from my life experience that nobody is born with all the answers to all the questions. So, we attempt to gain knowledge through study, actions, and listening. Experience is a great teacher. And I've learned a lot from this build. I know that those men who lived in the mid 1800's were far more knowledgeable of matters they considered important, than I am of attempting to build a tool that was part of their life.

Dave

[Huntschool]

Dave:

No problemo....

I have been at this since back in the 70's and have known/know many of the really good builders.  You should have seen some of their early attempts at making a gun...... Good is good.....  You did very well with what knowledge you had.  I personally don't like highly ornamented guns.  I am more of the the simple style type of guy. 

There was a movie several years back in which two restaurateurs were against one another in France.  One was a very French lady while the other was a newly landed Indian family.  In a scene the French lady challenges the son of the owner who was the chef to cook her a scrambled egg as a test to his ability.  The absolute greatest simplicity of all cooking, right. She, of course, thought he would massacre the egg.  He carefully prepares the egg for her and serves it to her.  The expression on her face was pure ecstasy as she tried it.........  The simple things done to the highest caliber of performance are the best.  You can not make a silk purse out of a sows ear.  Carving and inlay don't mean $#@* if the lines are not correct.

Diving in can be a good experience if you value it as a learning experience.  Do not be put off by critical rather then helpful comments.