Christian Springs Chambers kit builds

[577SXS]

  Here are two Christian Springs Chambers kits that I built. The one with S carving is my first attempt to carve a stock. I free hand drew the design and the S is for my name Sam. I went with my own design and don't really worry about being perfect period correct or school correct. I built these guns for myself to hunt with. I didn't think I would build two but after I finished the first with the S carving I ordered a jug choked smooth bore 20 gauge to hunt turkey with. The first gun was a 58 caliber which you can tell by my user name I like 58 caliber. When I got the smooth bore barrel which I was just going to switch back and forth I decided to build another complete gun to learn more about carving and hopefully get better at it. I'm now getting started on my sixth build. Why do guns do this to us?
  All carving was done with mostly chisels I made as I started seeing I needed different shapes and sizes to do the carvings. All the chisels I made from 1095 steel. Some I made one shape and then reground to fit my needs. I HATED WOOD WORK before I started doing these guns. Now I'm obsessed with it and trying to get better at it.
  The second gun which has the turkeys on right side I mismatched carvings I saw here and there. The main carving of left side is an Issac Haines which is my favorite carving. It was a real challenge. I'm almost finished with an Issac Haines that I used most of the carvings from the photos of the original gun that I like.
  I don't like patchboxes so I used that place to do more carving. Kinda looks like a patchbox but isn't. I also didn't like the finger rail on the Edward Marshall gun that already had a thick wrist. I cut the trigger guard and forged it to a slimmer shape and then welding the end back on it. That cast steel was a bear to forge and weld. I would almost get it to the shape I wanted then it would crack. I'd weld it up and the weld would look great then it would blow up and leave pit hole all in it. I probably welding and filed it 20 times and then finally gave up and left a few blow holes in the metal. I really like the feel of the grip now. Another thing I did was make peep sights for these guns because I can't see rear sights anymore. I love shooting irons but if you can't see them you can't shoot them. The peep sight really works fantastic for turkey. One last thing I did pewter forend caps because I like them.
  Here are some photos of the two guns.
Sam
 

[Craig Wilcox]

Sam,you did some nice work.

[577SXS]

Thanks Craig.

[577SXS]

Here is shell carving I did on the turkey gun.

[recurve]

Those front sights look interesting what are they?

[577SXS]

Recurve, Those front sights were blade sights I got from TOTW. I file a notch in them and then put a drop of braze in the notch. I file the drop to the bead size I want. I know my sights aren't traditional but I can see them. I'll post a closeup.

[577SXS]

Here is front sight. They are cast blade sights from TOTW and I file to height I need and then braze a drop into a notch I file into bead area. Its a little tricky to do but makes a great front sight.

[recurve]

They look great I love the "Gold " dot sights (or ivory   bead)

[Bob McBride]

Very nice effort for your first two guns. Really nice. Congrats. I’m glad you carved your first efforts. Most aren’t brave enough for that. Me included. The lack of HC doesn’t bother me if it doesn’t bother you. The Hex heads would make me crazy though. 

You’re on #6. By 10 you’ll be done making what you like and will be drawn to make one exactly like some particular original you like, I predict.  Post your next as well.

[Bob McBride]

I like your front sight. I’ve been experimenting with peening and filing subtle beads.

[577SXS]

Bob,

I could easily replace those screws with flat heads. I never even thought of that. I like Torx to be able to really tighten them but I may switch them out.

[Bob McBride]

Bob,

I could easily replace those screws with flat heads. I never even thought of that. I like Torx to be able to really tighten them but I may switch them out.

Yep. The Torx are way better, no doubt, but if it’s a permanent thing I’d change them for the HC but it’s really not much of a thing. I was picking a bit. Again, nice work.