Author Topic: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)  (Read 8378 times)

Offline BOB HILL

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #25 on: April 02, 2020, 02:01:29 PM »
Looking great. Jim.
Bob
South Carolina Lowcountry

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #26 on: April 02, 2020, 03:46:29 PM »
Bold!
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'?

Online t.caster

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #27 on: April 02, 2020, 04:30:10 PM »
Jim, Wonderful carvings and what a gorgeous piece of wood.  Love the figure in it.  Can't wait to see the final finish.  Thanks for the posts!

DITTO!
Tom C.

Offline Marcruger

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #28 on: April 02, 2020, 04:35:04 PM »
That carving really "pops" brother.  I like it.  Carry on.   :-)   God Bless,   Marc

Offline rich pierce

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #29 on: April 02, 2020, 08:14:14 PM »
Hot diggety!
Andover, Vermont

Offline bama

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #30 on: April 11, 2020, 03:35:22 PM »
I got some engraving done on the patch box and toe plate.




Jim Parker

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Offline J. Talbert

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #31 on: April 11, 2020, 03:41:00 PM »
Looking great Jim.

Jeff
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Thomas Sowell

Offline BOB HILL

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #32 on: April 12, 2020, 01:21:38 AM »
Very nice, Jim. Can't wait to see it finished
Bob
South Carolina Lowcountry

Offline scottmc

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #33 on: April 12, 2020, 01:51:14 AM »
That rifle's got a lot going on.  Beautiful work.  If u dont mind me asking....who is this John Davidson and where did he hail from?
Remember Paoli!

Offline bama

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #34 on: April 12, 2020, 02:17:37 AM »
John Davidson was a early Virginia gunsmith. He worked in Rockbridge County, Virginia in 1790 to 1832. He was born in 1757 and died in 1832 according to Wisker's Gunsmith of Virginia. His work is associated with the James River School.
Jim Parker

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Offline bama

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #35 on: April 12, 2020, 02:27:12 AM »
Here is a photo of the patch box of the rifle I am using as an example of his work. I have not tried to duplicate the engraving but use the original as a basis for my design. I changed the flowers to a little more boxy look, which after doing so I did not care for the change but I wanted there be be a noticeable difference and I definitely got that. Not bad, but not as appealing as I thought it would be.

I copied this photo from Mark Eliott's web site, I hope he does not mind me posting it here.


Jim Parker

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Offline B.Barker

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #36 on: April 12, 2020, 02:33:15 AM »
Nice rifle Jim.

Offline scottmc

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #37 on: April 12, 2020, 03:30:48 AM »
Thanks for the information.  Interesting original as well as your interpretation.  I like it!
Remember Paoli!

Offline bama

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #38 on: April 19, 2020, 08:13:20 AM »
I got a little more engraving done on this project.







Jim Parker

"An Honest Man is worth his weight in Gold"

Offline Carl Young

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #39 on: April 19, 2020, 12:28:20 PM »
That's going to be a real handsome rifle Jim. I particularly like the silver accents and engraving, enough but not too much. Hope all is well for you and Celeste.
Carl
Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses. -Juvenal

Offline Jim Kibler

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #40 on: April 19, 2020, 10:27:28 PM »
Looking like the real deal!  Nice.

Jim

Offline bama

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #41 on: May 01, 2020, 01:43:56 AM »
I got the fore stock carving done, the wear plate installed and engraved and the lock plate polished and engraved. Now just a little more lock polishing and I will be ready to start the finishing process.






Jim Parker

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Offline Bob McBride

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #42 on: May 01, 2020, 01:49:09 AM »
Looking good Jim. Love the silver touches and engraving.

Offline Joe Stein

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #43 on: May 01, 2020, 04:15:40 PM »
That's really looking good.

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #44 on: May 01, 2020, 07:57:53 PM »
The rifle looks fantastic Jim...very much enjoying this thread.
D. Taylor Sapergia
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Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline bama

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #45 on: May 01, 2020, 08:29:28 PM »
Thanks everyone, now if I just manage not to screw up the finishing.
Jim Parker

"An Honest Man is worth his weight in Gold"

Offline Rajin cajun

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #46 on: May 02, 2020, 06:26:06 AM »
Hey brother Jim, she’s looking great!  But we didn’t expect any less coming out of your shop. Great looking  rifle !
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog !

Offline bama

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Re: John Davidson build Finally finished
« Reply #47 on: May 23, 2020, 11:00:35 PM »
Well I finally got the John Davidson rifle project finished. I am pleased with the rifle and I hope the new owner will be also. I will be test firing it in a day or two and will post the results. Thanks to all have looked and commented on this build.

Jim










































Jim Parker

"An Honest Man is worth his weight in Gold"

Offline rich pierce

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #48 on: May 23, 2020, 11:03:57 PM »
Nicely done! Great project.
Andover, Vermont

Offline flinchrocket

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Re: John Davidson build (updated 3/25/2020)
« Reply #49 on: May 23, 2020, 11:20:14 PM »
That's a beautiful rifle. Your engraving really looks the period.