Did I actually build this?? It's so ugly!

[Justin Urbantas]

This showed up in my Facebook memories from 5 years ago. It is so ugly! What was I thinking?  I want to track down the  current owner, and destroy the monstrosity. I'm so glad I got better.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .... "you've come a long way, Pilgrim,....."....

[bama]

There are many on this forum that have first guns. If everybody was honest they would let everyone see them but most of us have improved at tad since that time. Nobody starts out being a master, but if you never start then you will never be one. It is the start that is important, then it's the journey. I started my journey in 1972 and have loved every step I have taken. I have met some of the best and greatest gunsmiths out there and I have been blessed with their knowledge. The thing that I find that I value the most though, is the people. I have met some of the most inspirational people along the way and have enjoyed their friendship. I hope the good Lord allows me to continue along this trail for many more years.

You have come a long way Pilgrim.  

[rich pierce]

Find it and smash and burn it! Just kidding. You have indeed come a long ways in a short time!

[Frank]

I used mine for kindling.

[Justin Urbantas]

I think I would save the barrel, sideplate,  trigger and lock. The rest would be scrap brass and kindling.

[Eric Krewson]

My first is pretty ugly as well, I will show it to folk who don't know squat about flintlocks (they think anything is a work of art) but wouldn't be caught dead toting it around at a longrifle show.

I doubt if I could get the cost of parts out of it, it is only good for one thing.........killing deer, it has given a bunch of them a dirt nap, I guess I'll keep it.

[Joe S]

Good for you Eric. I am also still killing deer with my first flintlock. They don't seem to be the least bit critical of its architectural defects.

Justin - While there are some minor problems with your gun, it's easy to see the stirrings of true genius in this piece.

[Scota4570]

I recently found my first, from 1975.  I was 13 and had no real tools or knowledge.  The gun is a 22 matchlock stocked in oak.  I used a salvage 22 cartridge barrel.  It is very ugly and crude.  I shot the heck out of it with resized Benjamin pellets.  I really enjoyed it and was very proud.  It is nice to have the memento of the very beginning. 

[jerrywh]

NEVER confess your mistakes. Others will find enough of them without your help.

[Justin Urbantas]

Haha. I keep getting better at fixing my mistakes. Here's what I'm working on now. Rasping wood away right now.

[mikeyfirelock]

I don’t feel inadequate any more !    ( my first gun is hanging on he wall of my shop to remind me of my journey.  I tell people I’ve seen zip guns nicer than that first one.)

[Justin Urbantas]

Let's see it! I am trying to get others to show where they started.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

It is good to see where you came from. 

Cory Joe Stewart

[Clowdis]

I've got my first one stored in the attic and that's where it's going to stay until I get ready to throw it in the dumpster.

[t.caster]

My wife won't let me sell or get rid of my first blank build (Rupp/Bethlehem style) because it shows how far I've come and I should keep it as a reminder. I shot with it for about 12 years, but now keep it hidden in the closet. It was nose heavy and didn't quite fit me. Someday I want to restock the parts.

[Greg Pennell]

My first one was pretty bad, too. I built it on my kitchen table, with nothing for reference except a Dixie Gunworks catalog. Ugly or not, it still killed several deer, before I retired it to hang over my sister's fireplace. I don’t think I even have a picture anymore.

Greg

[thecapgunkid]

Frankenrifle.  Not a single operation went right.  It's so ugly folks ask me if it is an original waiting to be restored.  So, how come, like so many other uglies, it groups so well?

[Berksrifle]

Greg, it could not been that ugly or you would have hung it IN your sister's fireplace!

Ken

[mikeyfirelock]

Justin, here it is. I started it in my dorm room , but of course had to finish it at home.  I hope It comes thru.  That was in 1972

 

[flinchrocket]

Who is on the old knucklehead ?

[Justin Urbantas]

Justin, here it is. I started it in my dorm room , but of course had to finish it at home.  I hope It comes thru.  That was in 1972

that's not too bad. Better than mine

[flehto]

Started my first  build which was  from a blank { "old Ugly"} in 1975 and the name didn't appear until the LR was finished....after a realistic assessment . Two items on the gun have performed well through the yrs....the Dixie bbl made by Douglas and the small  Siler built from a kit {should have used the large version}.

The main detraction {fault} is the proportionality.....too much wood left on at  too many places and the lock and sideplate mortices  are horrible...to put it bluntly.

This LR is so bad that it has been banished  to  only my basement and a few   lonely squirrel woods. Thought of selling it, but am not brave enough to post some pics. .....until now......Fred

[Justin Urbantas]

Started my first  build which was  from a blank { "old Ugly"} in 1975 and the name didn't appear until the LR was finished....after a realistic assessment . Two items on the gun have performed well through the yrs....the Dixie bbl made by Douglas and the small  Siler built from a kit {should have used the large version}.

The main detraction {fault} is the proportionality.....too much wood left on at  too many places and the lock and sideplate mortices  are horrible...to put it bluntly.

This LR is so bad that it has been banished  to  only my basement and a few   lonely squirrel woods. Thought of selling it, but am not brave enough to post some pics. .....until now......Fred

Well, you did a great job on the buttplate and patchbox

[flehto]

HI...could be,  seeing I was a toolmaker and "metal" was my thing. Working  wood was very foreign to me and as shown in my pic, it was  quite evident......Fred