Author Topic: Allegany - Western PA squirrel rifle (Read 14026 times)

Jim Spray · « **Reply #75 on:** May 02, 2020, 02:49:13 PM »

The rifle just keeps getting better and better! Love the carving.

Jim

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #76 on:** May 02, 2020, 06:45:11 PM »

This carving appears simple but it's uinlike anything I've tried before. It's even kind of cartoonish, with the accent curves around the volutes, suggesting action or motion. I used the carving on one of Allison's rifles as inspiration for this, but it is not identical owing to space constrictions and medium (walnut rather than maple). But I like to think it catches the esscence. I really like the scallopping along the toe line on this rifle and the organic carving along the bottom of the wrist. It acts like chequering in providing grip...interesting to see how it wears...
I'll post more as things progress...

Daryl · « **Reply #77 on:** May 02, 2020, 11:12:02 PM »

Dave's "ALIVE" analogy was spot-on. Yes- excellent description. A beautiful job
on that patch-box inlet too.

bama · « **Reply #78 on:** May 03, 2020, 12:13:01 AM »

That is going to be one fine rifle.

TommyG · « **Reply #79 on:** May 03, 2020, 02:49:27 AM »

Taylor , That carving is stunning as is. Going to be a gorgeous rifle when done. You sir are one of our ALR builders that always set the bar a bit higher. Great work.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #80 on:** May 03, 2020, 02:51:55 AM »

I thank all of you for your kindness and support. I am looking forward to finishing this rifle. It has been on a back burner for a very long time. Thanks too, to Chris Laubach for selling me this lovely piece of walnut and the Ed Rayle barrel.

rick/pa · « **Reply #81 on:** May 03, 2020, 03:03:49 AM »

I like this rifle a lot. I'm following it with great interest since I'm from Western Pa. about 1/2 mile from the border of Allegheny County. Worth Suter lived just about 5 miles from our town. Can't wait to see the finish and to see how it shoots.

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #82 on:** May 03, 2020, 06:06:42 AM »

Taylor as always your craftsmanship is outstanding...!

Oldtravler

Curtis · « **Reply #83 on:** May 03, 2020, 07:32:45 AM »

I think you captured Thomas Allison's carving style quite well, Taylor. Very nice!!!

Curtis

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #84 on:** May 03, 2020, 04:17:40 PM »

Taylor, That carving is Fabulous! So clean, clear and sharp, hard to believe that is Walnut.

Tim

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #85 on:** May 03, 2020, 07:32:52 PM »

Tim: "clean, clear and sharp" is what I was looking for. I spent as much time stropping my tools as I did in the carving. Chisels and carving knives needed to be exquisitely sharp.

Daryl · « **Reply #86 on:** May 03, 2020, 09:01:15 PM »

That is a tiny hole.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #87 on:** May 03, 2020, 10:20:32 PM »

It occurred to me this morning that I don't have a cleaning rod long enough in that size. So before I shoot this pea rifle, I'll have to make a cleaning rod and jag. I have lots of shot and a dime sized bearing race to cut my patches. And I have made my starter from a length of 3/16" brass rod and a chunk of moose antler. I also have a bag and horn designated. Getting close.

Lucky R A · « **Reply #88 on:** May 03, 2020, 10:34:36 PM »

Hi Taylor,
It is really nice to see some attention being brought to what i believe to be a really under appreciated school of longrifle building. While western PA guns were late in the flintlock and early in the percussion period they still had unique and beautiful carving and exquisite engraving. Having built quite a few of them I certainly can appreciate your efforts. Your skills and talent shows in the work you are producing.
The Verner and this rifle are some of your best work. I have done both Allison and Fleeger copies and they are indeed challenging.
All the best,

Ron

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #89 on:** May 03, 2020, 10:43:34 PM »

Thanks for adding your beautiful rifles to this thread. Outstanding stuff, and like you, I'm surprised more efforts to emulate this school are not made. Bill Shipman posted a David Morton rifle a few years ago, and that was such a welcome sight.

Daryl · « **Reply #90 on:** May 04, 2020, 12:23:15 AM »

Quote from: D. Taylor Sapergia on May 03, 2020, 10:20:32 PM

It occurred to me this morning that I don't have a cleaning rod long enough in that size. So before I shoot this pea rifle, I'll have to make a cleaning rod and jag. I have lots of shot and a dime sized bearing race to cut my patches. And I have made my starter from a length of 3/16" brass rod and a chunk of moose antler. I also have a bag and horn designated. Getting close.

I have a 3/4" arch punch - would that be large enough?

Dphariss · « **Reply #91 on:** May 04, 2020, 05:02:02 PM »

Quote from: D. Taylor Sapergia on April 08, 2020, 07:19:00 PM

You bet. I once apologized when an old friend was visiting, for my messy bench, and he said, "a clean bench isn't making any money!" It'll get cleaned up several times before I start my next project. The floor too.

This looks like mine after I have picked it up and put things away. I am a pretty poor "housekeeper".
Smallest original I every saw was a .28 percussion rifle but was was unable to trade the guy out of it. Had the mould and everything and was shooting the rifle circa 1968.
Can't wait to see this one finished.
Dan

Dphariss · « **Reply #92 on:** May 04, 2020, 05:07:35 PM »

Quote from: Dphariss on May 04, 2020, 05:02:02 PM

Quote from: D. Taylor Sapergia on April 08, 2020, 07:19:00 PM
You bet. I once apologized when an old friend was visiting, for my messy bench, and he said, "a clean bench isn't making any money!" It'll get cleaned up several times before I start my next project. The floor too.
This looks like mine after I have picked it up and put things away. I am a pretty poor "housekeeper".
Smallest original I every saw was a .28 percussion rifle but was was unable to trade the guy out of it. Had the mould and everything and was shooting the rifle circa 1968.
Can't wait to see this one finished.
Dan

I missed the later posts. Nice, very nice.

Dan

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #93 on:** May 06, 2020, 03:44:38 AM »

I almost finished the engraving today...only four pin escutcheons, toe plate and lock to do. Here's the patchbox...

borderdogs · « **Reply #94 on:** May 06, 2020, 04:28:36 AM »

Beautiful!
Rob

Daryl · « **Reply #95 on:** May 06, 2020, 05:42:40 AM »

Oh boyoboyoboy! Champing at the bit to shoot that one.

smallpatch · « **Reply #96 on:** May 06, 2020, 05:19:29 PM »

Taylor,
Beautiful work!

alacran · « **Reply #97 on:** May 07, 2020, 02:46:17 PM »

Taylor that is going to be the most beautiful squirrel thumper that there ever was.

bama · « **Reply #98 on:** May 07, 2020, 04:06:15 PM »

Very very nice

a beautiful and very well done rifle.

Richard · « **Reply #99 on:** May 07, 2020, 08:08:13 PM »

I really like that scalloped edge. Sharp tools required indeed. Very nice.

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Author Topic: Allegany - Western PA squirrel rifle (Read 14026 times)