Author Topic: Early Reading Rifle... (Read 3210 times)

Ed Wenger · « **on:** August 23, 2019, 04:01:33 AM »

At least it’s my take on an Early Reading Rifle. Not inspired by any particular builder, and also has some Lancaster and Lehigh influences. I was going for something that might have come out of the northern Lancaster County/ Reading area, and wanted to keep it early, hence the Baroque style carving. Some of you might have seen me doing some carving on this piece at Dixon’s.

Anyway, it’s stocked in Red Maple, and finished with iron nitrate. The lock is one of Pete Allan’s that I’ve had laying around the shop for several years. The butt piece is a commercially available one from Chambers. The pipes, side plate, cheek inlay, and guard I made. The guard was cast from a wood pattern that I also made. The barrel is a 38”, .54 caliber by Colerain. The steel parts were finished with Laurel Mountain Forge browning solution that were allowed to rust for a few days, carded off, then cold blued and rubbed back. I think that’s about it. If you have any questions, please ask. Lately I’ve been living is this “Early” world, and have gotten hooked on the Baroque style.

Ed

looper · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2019, 04:16:56 AM »

Very nice. Any particular treatment you did on the brass?

westbrook · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2019, 04:18:13 AM »

Very Nice!

Ed Wenger · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2019, 04:25:37 AM »

Looper..., the brass was treated with 44/40 cold blue. It turns the brass black. Then it was rubbed back to the desired color with a maroon scotch brite pad. Best,

Ed

Mike Lyons · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2019, 04:43:03 AM »

Beautiful carving and aging. That cheek piece had to have been a treat!! Those buttplates aren’t the easiest to deal with either. Very nice rifle!!!

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2019, 05:22:30 AM »

Ed: Good looking rifle! I like your carving designs - do you purposely out line your relief"? Or is it the remains of "stabbing in"?
Just curious. Hugh Toenjes

mountainman · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2019, 05:39:29 AM »

Awesome, That is a beautiful piece of artwork!!!

rich pierce · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2019, 05:51:50 AM »

I really appreciate how you can approach a build as an unknown early builder, who contributed to the styles of even slightly later builders.

BOB HILL · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2019, 06:55:32 AM »

Fine looking rifle, Ed.
Bob

Ed Wenger · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2019, 06:56:54 AM »

Thanks, all

Hugh..., good eye! I don’t always “outline” carving, but on this carving I did. It’s not just the remains of stabbing. In some places I used a “V” gouge, in other areas I used a double bevel chisel or xacto knife to remove wood, simulating a “V”. Most of this carving is very low relief, and I’ve found that by exposing more end grain, the outline is more pronounced, and gives the appearance of much higher relief. It certainly adds time to the work, but feel the effect is worth it. Best,

Ed

davec2 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2019, 07:28:47 AM »

Ed,

I always love to see your work. Beautiful rifle. I love the finish on wood and metal. Would love to watch you do the carving.

Marcruger · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2019, 12:33:59 PM »

She’s a beauty Ed. I was just chuckling that it is hardly “early” for your work. :-)

Great lines. The carving really sets it off especially the patchbox.

I love that guard. You should offer those as castings.

I really like that rifle, and bet it won’t hang around long.

Best wishes, and God bless, Marc

Robby · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2019, 02:49:02 PM »

Just beautiful!!!
Robby

smart dog · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2019, 03:11:11 PM »

Ed, you realize that if you lived back in Reading in 1760, old Wolfgang would have been so envious of the quality of your work and carving that he might have given up gun making and become a farmer. Then we wouldn't have all those Wolfgang Haga attributed rifles to discuss or maybe we still would. Beautiful gun!

dave

Algae · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2019, 03:56:47 PM »

Absolutely beautiful work, as usual!!

Thanks for posting,

Al J.

gusd · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2019, 04:22:33 PM »

Great job Ed! Love the stock & metal coloring.
Gus

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2019, 04:34:04 PM »

I like it. I don't see a lot of Reading in it. Looks like a very early colonial gun done by a german just off the boat. A. Martin has been doing some work like that lately. Seems to be a popular trend.

David Rase · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2019, 04:46:20 PM »

Well done Ed. I especially like how well the figure on the patchbox aligns with the rifle stock figure. It is a small detail overlooked by a lot of makers that always draws the attention my eye.
David

Maalsral · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2019, 05:43:46 PM »

Nice work Ed.

Jeff Durnell · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2019, 09:04:39 PM »

Oh man, that's so nice. You do very nice work.

Ed Wenger · « **Reply #20 on:** August 24, 2019, 12:20:19 AM »

Thanks all..., I think the butt has a “Readingish” profile, but would agree, that’s about where it ends. I was certainly channeling my inner Allen Martin on this one, no one does those early guns better!!

Ed

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #21 on:** August 24, 2019, 12:22:51 AM »

Dang Ed, That is an Over-All Beauty, really well done, shows the signs of early work in my book.

Tim

Berksrifle · « **Reply #22 on:** August 24, 2019, 01:48:35 AM »

Ed, the carving and rifle came out fantastic!
The only thing better was watching and listening you at Dixon's while you were carving this. Great job helping all who wanted to learn.

Ken

Ed Wenger · « **Reply #23 on:** August 24, 2019, 03:19:12 AM »

Ken..., thanks, I really enjoyed the impromptu carving I did at Dixon's. Hope I helped in some small way.

Ed

TommyG · « **Reply #24 on:** August 24, 2019, 03:54:55 AM »

Ed, Beautiful piece. Your carving design and execution - masterfully done as always. The carving behind the cheek seems to flow from the relief to the wonderfully incised C scrolls. I really like it!!

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Author Topic: Early Reading Rifle... (Read 3210 times)

westbrook