Author Topic: Reversing a "pinky rest."  (Read 2274 times)

Offline SingleMalt

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 613
  • One day I'll be considered a good builder.
Reversing a "pinky rest."
« on: November 23, 2018, 09:02:58 PM »
I'm in the planning stages for my rendition of RCA #26.  I found a suitable guard, complete with long bow, but the "pinky rest" curves forward, not back as the original does.  It's a sand casting, so I'm very uncertain about bending it.  Does anyone have any suggestions to reverse the curve?
Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

Offline jerrywh

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8885
    • Jerrywh-gunmaker- Master  Engraver FEGA.
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2018, 12:31:34 AM »
You won't have any trouble if you heat it to a red heat and don't drink the whiskey.
Nobody is always correct, Not even me.

Offline Chowmi

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 843
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2018, 01:35:25 AM »
Is it brass or iron?

That will make a difference. 

Bend brass cold, I'm told.  Anneal it first, and often.   

Norm
Cheers,
Chowmi

NMLRA
CLA

Offline SingleMalt

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 613
  • One day I'll be considered a good builder.
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2018, 02:08:49 AM »
Is it brass or iron?

That will make a difference. 

Bend brass cold, I'm told.  Anneal it first, and often.   

Norm

It's sand cast brass.
Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

Online rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19500
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2018, 02:10:29 AM »
Major adjustments can result in breakage.
Andover, Vermont

Offline SingleMalt

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 613
  • One day I'll be considered a good builder.
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2018, 02:13:13 AM »
Major adjustments can result in breakage.

That's my fear, Rich.  I thought about sawing it off, reversing it, and silver soldering back on.
Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

Offline Daryl

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15794
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2018, 02:20:34 AM »
Do you have a picture?
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline SingleMalt

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 613
  • One day I'll be considered a good builder.
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2018, 02:42:28 AM »
This is the original rifle.  This pic is from Smartdog's post about stock shape, from RCA.  This is RCA #26.

RCA26-Cheekside-0001-NEW-0001" border="0

This is the casting that I have to work with.

Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

Offline jerrywh

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8885
    • Jerrywh-gunmaker- Master  Engraver FEGA.
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2018, 03:10:54 AM »
 If it's brass I wouldn't try to bend it back. Steel yes.
Nobody is always correct, Not even me.

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

  • Member 3
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12666
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #9 on: November 24, 2018, 04:01:03 AM »
The rail on your guard is much shorter proportionally than the photo of the original.  It is unlikely that you will get the spur to bend back as far as the photo of the original before it breaks off.  Sand cast guards usually have enough 'meat' that cutting and brazing will work.  There will be some serious file work following that process, but it is possible.  Creating guards that are closer to original is fun...go for it!
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

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

Offline Gaeckle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1360
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #10 on: November 24, 2018, 05:18:43 AM »
Personally, I don't think you'll get the results you desire because it looks like that guard is way off in the placement of the grip rail as it relates to the bow. I think you may have better success if you look at Muzzleloading Builders Supply trigger guard numbered 14450. It's on the first page of the online catalog. It's easier to stretch and manipulate sand cat brass as opposed to lost wax stuff, but there are limits that if pushed usually end up in a breakage. The guard mentioned may allow an easier solution because it is already in the basic shape you want to mimic.

Offline smallpatch

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4106
  • Dane Lund
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #11 on: November 24, 2018, 03:20:52 PM »
Single,
You won't be happy with that guard.  I don't remember which I've I used, but it had to be modified extensively.  The finials taper on the ends instead of flaring out, as well the entry pipe and buttplate.
This is a rough one, with a lot of details that need to be followed.
The only way to get a lock that is close, is a Chambers gunmakers lock, and shape your own.
I can't seem to find my photos, so I can't show them.
Hope this helps.
In His grip,

Dane

Offline smallpatch

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4106
  • Dane Lund
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #12 on: November 24, 2018, 03:32:55 PM »
Single,
Here's a couple of pics.  I have a bunch more if you're interested.





In His grip,

Dane

Offline Mike Brooks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13415
    • Mike Brooks Gunmaker
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #13 on: November 24, 2018, 04:54:23 PM »
I'll see you Dane's Haga rifle and raise you mine. ;D I don't recall what trigger guard I used but I know I had to beat out the front finial so it would squash out. I might have something that would work better for you, take a look in the castings section. www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com





NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline smart dog

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 7003
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #14 on: November 25, 2018, 04:00:12 PM »
Hi Wayne,
I would not use that trigger guard.  The bow and rail are not going to match the original even with a lot of reshaping.  Goehring has a very good one that they call their David Dodds Reading or Berks County guard.

dave
"The main accomplishment of modern economics is to make astrology look good."

Offline SingleMalt

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 613
  • One day I'll be considered a good builder.
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #15 on: November 25, 2018, 07:30:27 PM »
Thanks, Dave!  I'll contact Reaves' daughter and see if she's got it in stock.  You don't know the number of it, do you?
Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

Offline smart dog

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 7003
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #16 on: November 25, 2018, 08:10:27 PM »
Hi Wayne,
No, I don't remember the number but if you mention Dodds, they will know.

dave
"The main accomplishment of modern economics is to make astrology look good."

Offline AsMs

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 104
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #17 on: November 25, 2018, 10:34:17 PM »
I personally really like the casting you have.  Where did you get it.  I like those reverse curls on my rifles. 

AsMs

Offline SingleMalt

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 613
  • One day I'll be considered a good builder.
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #18 on: November 25, 2018, 11:10:42 PM »
I personally really like the casting you have.  Where did you get it?  I like those reverse curls on my rifles. 

AsMs

That came from Allen Martin.
Never drink whisky that isn't old enough to vote.

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."- Plato

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

Offline jerrywh

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8885
    • Jerrywh-gunmaker- Master  Engraver FEGA.
Re: Reversing a "pinky rest."
« Reply #19 on: November 26, 2018, 01:41:31 AM »
 Think about what happens when you bend a piece of metal.  Actually you are stretching one part and trying to compress the opposite side. Since you cannot compress a solid you must stretch the opposite the side twice as much. The thicker it is the more you must stretch it. Brass must be bent cold and does not stretch well at all but the thinner it is the better. This portion is too thick to bend that or even near it. Steel bends well when hot because it will narrow in cross section rather than separate as much. The alloy also comes into play. 360 brass alloy is about as flexible as brass gets, that is cartridge brass.  But I wouldn't expect even 360 that thick  to bend that well.  I like what Allen Martin said but that is not what you are trying to build.  In the end it's your baby.
Nobody is always correct, Not even me.