Author Topic: Bucks Co. rifle (Read 4086 times)

Blacksmoke · « **on:** July 27, 2019, 07:09:22 PM »

Hi Folks, Here's a look at the latest rifle to come off of my bench. It is a Bucks Co. rifle influenced by J. Schuller. This rifle was three yrs. in the making. No kits or stock duplicator involved. The barrel is hand rifled in .58 Cal. at 41&7/8" long and swamped,
exhibition grade curly maple from Slippery Rock P.A., Lock is fashioned by hand and fitted with adjustable sear, trigger is bias spring loaded, Tigger pull distance is 14&1/2", the gun weighs 9&3/4lbs. I will be happy to answer any questions, Hugh Toenjes

Vulcan · « **Reply #1 on:** July 27, 2019, 07:25:13 PM »

That is absolutely beautiful.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #2 on:** July 27, 2019, 08:37:16 PM »

Interesting gun. I have a couple questions. I see the cock is bronze, is the plate bronze as well? Will bronze hold up as well when used as a cock as steel would? Just never saw a lock with a bronze cock so I'm curious. Also, unusual shaping of the cheek piece area. Was that copied from an antique or is it just a contemporary detail. What happened to the carving behind the barrel tang? I think I would have taken another 6 months and put some on there to compliment the carving coming off the comb....it would seem more balanced in my opinion. Is this stock from "THE" Slippery Rock tree or just cut near Slippery Rock?

Craig Wilcox · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2019, 12:09:48 AM »

Always nice to see your work, Hugh. All very precise and nicely done. Like Mike, above, I am wondering about the cock.
Outstanding!

mony · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2019, 12:26:59 AM »

Stunning rifle. Love that rifling.

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2019, 12:34:15 AM »

Mike bronze is exceptionally strong. In my experience.
Oldtravler

FALout · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2019, 12:41:59 AM »

The wire inlay is real nice, not over done. I can’t see any thing wrong with this rifle, wish I could afford it!

Rolf · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2019, 01:07:56 AM »

Beautiful. Really like the wire work.

Best regards
Rolf

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2019, 01:17:13 AM »

Thanks Guys, For the positive comments. I need to explain about the "Bronze" cock. It is not bronze. What happened: I always heat treat external lock parts to a light straw color in my kitchen oven. 350 - 375 degrees for about an hour, then quench in light oil till cool. What this does is put a moisture resistant finish on the surface of the metal. At 350 degrees the surface molecules open up a bit and let the oil in. When quenched the molecules close up thus trapping the oil and creating a finish. The cock on this lock heated to a darker color than the lock plate - hence a darker "Bronze" color. Also this gun is not another "pretty face" here is the proof target at 100 yds. with no wiping between shots.

hanshi · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2019, 01:40:13 AM »

Gorgeous work, absolutely, and fine accuracy on top of that! But much too fancy for my gurbby fingers to sully.

Smokey Plainsman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2019, 02:31:58 AM »

I’m very fond of that cock, really unusual and attractive.

David Rase · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2019, 02:34:13 AM »

The wire work behind the cheekpiece looks to be influenced by Benjamin Franklin as the pattern reminds me of a severe midwest electrical storm.
David

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2019, 03:27:19 AM »

Quote from: Blacksmoke on July 28, 2019, 01:17:13 AM

Thanks Guys, For the positive comments. I need to explain about the "Bronze" cock. It is not bronze. What happened: I always heat treat external lock parts to a light straw color in my kitchen oven. 350 - 375 degrees for about an hour, then quench in light oil till cool. What this does is put a moisture resistant finish on the surface of the metal. At 350 degrees the surface molecules open up a bit and let the oil in. When quenched the molecules close up thus trapping the oil and creating a finish. The cock on this lock heated to a darker color than the lock plate - hence a darker "Bronze" color. Also this gun is not another "pretty face" here is the proof target at 100 yds. with no wiping between shots.

That's nearly as good shooting as I do off hand.....

Angus · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2019, 10:55:20 PM »

Hugh,
Nice gun. Are you hand engraving or using a power graver?

I was out in Custer last month for about a week, I should have looked you up to see your shop. Stayed east of town at the Black Hills bungalows. Saw all the sights and enjoyed gorgeous weather.

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2019, 02:00:44 AM »

Angus, Shame on you!? (just kidding) You were here when the Bucks Co. rifle was still here! ANY ALR members are always welcome at my Studio/shop. You would have had a chance to pull the trigger on that rifle. The client was here all week - getting used to it. He wants to fill his bull Elk tag with it in Sept. in Colorado. I dressed him in some re-enactment clothes and took his photo with the rifle. Hugh Toenjes

And to answer your question I only always engrave with hammer and graver or push tool.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2019, 02:07:02 AM »

Never did find out if that is from "THE" Slippery Rock tree or just a tree from that area.....

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #16 on:** July 29, 2019, 04:02:32 PM »

Mike: The stock blank came from Ken Thompson who supplied stock blanks to gun makers back in the 1970's . He air dried for 10 yrs. before marketing them. His place of business was "Slippery Rock" PA. Most of his blanks were exhibition grade and beyond.
I have one more blank left and it is for ME only - If I live long enough to get the rifle done. I've only been waiting 40 yrs. to build it! Hugh Toenjes

flehto · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2019, 04:44:10 PM »

An excellent Bucks County LR. Is that a button for the PBox release in the center of the engraved "flower" of the toeplate? You didn't show a detail of the BC entry pipe which is a unique feature of BC LRs. ...that would have been interesting. Thanks for showing.....Fred

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2019, 07:24:20 PM »

Fred: Sorry about that, here it is:

and thanks for the positive comment! Hugh Toenjes

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #19 on:** July 29, 2019, 08:45:51 PM »

It's been too long since I've seen a rifle from your bench, Hugh, and there's much here that is your signature. I'm glad you still have the stamina to create these things. Really nice target!

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2019, 05:46:56 AM »

Hi Taylor; I post rifles when I get them finished - I am not a 3-5 day builder!!??

This Bucks Co. rifle took me three yrs. complete with hand rifled barrel. The gun is now zeroed in at 150 yds. off hand. I am now starting a restoration on a 1785 Mortimer fowler - 20 balls to the pound. The lock is like a Swiss watch - intricate with a gold lined pan and gold touch hole.
I will post photos when finished - if allowed. Hugh toenjes

bama · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2019, 05:42:56 PM »

Hugh, that is a very nice rifle. I don’t really care what rock that piece of wood came from, it’s a very nice piece of wood. Strange how some people get intimidated by a name.

That is great shooting at one hundred yards on a small-bore rifle target. That would probably score a 48 or 49 on a 100 yard big bull rifle target at Friendship. I have known a few shooters that can shoot in the upper 40’s offhand at 100 yards but not many. My wife shot a 47 one or two X at 100 yards with a 36 caliber, I will post a picture of it a little later. My personal best was a 45 offhand at 100 yards so I can’t brag to much cause she reminds me of her target 😳. I know if I shot a target like that offhand I would brag about it also, but then again talk is cheap. Thanks for posting your target, nice to know you can back up your brag. 😁

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #22 on:** July 30, 2019, 08:10:56 PM »

I heard a big story not long ago about the "Slippery Rock Tree". I was just wondering if this was a piece of it that's all. Supposed to be real primo stuff and extremely high dollar if you can find a piece.

My comments about the target were all bluff and bravado....or in other words I was poking Hugh with a stick. I wouldn't now if that's a good target or not since it was shot from a machine rest. It seems that with a weighed charge and a machine rest most any of today's barrels should shoot just about one hole....and I suspect they do. No big deal to me one way or the other.

Unfortunately it seems we'll have to wait another three years before we see Hugh's next gun if he can maintain his current rate of production. Anticipation and anxiety will surely ruin me by then.

Daryl · « **Reply #23 on:** July 30, 2019, 08:52:34 PM »

Quote from: Mike Brooks on July 30, 2019, 08:10:56 PM

It seems that with a weighed charge and a machine rest most any of today's barrels should shoot just about one hole....
and I suspect they do. No big deal to me one way or the other.

I agree completely. I also remember from years back, other groups Hugh has posted of his barrels held
in his machine rest & shot at 100yards, which were very MUCH better than this one.

Nice Rifle, Hugh.

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #24 on:** July 30, 2019, 10:06:11 PM »

Yes there was the dude who sold wood out of Slippery Rock, and then there was "the" Slippery Rock tree. Someone like Jim Chambers or one of the guys in the know during the 1970s would know more about it. Fred Miller told me "the" tree was a huge dead tree out in the middle of some farmer's field, and guys kept trying to get in there and plunge cut pieces out of it with chainsaws (the tree was hollow) before it eventually was cut and properly sawed. I've seen a few rifles made with wood from that tree and wish I had even one piece! Apparently it was extremely high dollar, and that was 20+ years ago when a few pieces may have still been available second hand.

Nice rifle Hugh, looks like a lot more work than my level of patience!

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Author Topic: Bucks Co. rifle (Read 4086 times)

Vulcan

Smokey Plainsman