Author Topic: Finished Fainot rifle (Read 3573 times)

rich pierce · « **on:** May 28, 2020, 08:54:24 PM »

This is my second Fainot build. The first was a fowling piece stocked in walnut. This one is inspired by the Fainot rifle in our museum library book. It’s the earliest existing Fainot gun so far as we know. It’s not meant to be a bench copy but sort of “made that year” sort of build. The patchbox hinge is the earliest type, with no interlocking knuckles on the lid portion.

This has a .54 Rice barrel 44” long and a Chambers Early Ketland lock. A customized guard and shop-made sideplate, thimbles, nosecap, trigger, toeplate, patchbox. Length of pull is 13.25”. Weight is 8,5 pounds.

Comments and critiques are welcome. The carving and engraving are intended to reflect his work in style and execution. The made up part is a brass inlay in front of the guard. I wanted something unique and in his funky style, imagining he’d seen a Lehigh with an inlay there. “What would Fainot do?”

Craig Wilcox · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2020, 09:07:28 PM »

Rich, that is a bit of fantastic work. A body would be happy with that in his collection.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2020, 10:12:14 PM »

What a cool rifle!! Very nicely done Rich. There's a lot going on on this one. It's going to take soem time to study your work. I like what I've seen so far, and like the feature to be able to enlarge the images. Congrats.

Dave Marsh · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2020, 10:18:34 PM »

Wow Rich that is a beauty to behold. Fantastic.

Dave

Bob Roller · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2020, 10:49:18 PM »

Another good looking long rifle to be proud of.
Bob Roller

rich pierce · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2020, 10:53:41 PM »

Fainot broke a lot of “rules”. Several of his guns with patchboxes have the buttplate return cocked down. Some think it just happened. I have the crazy idea he did it on purpose to give the upper patchbox surround a cocky angle like the lower.

His patchbox style and construction were unique. His engraving designs were funky and folksy and unrefined.

If anyone has the Lancaster Longrifle book from the Landis Valley exhibit then you can see the rifle this is based on in pages 28-29. A later Fainot is shown in Masterpieces of the American Longrifle:tge Joe Kindig Collection book pages 32-33.

vanu · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2020, 11:22:30 PM »

Rich,

You really captured the spirit of this grand old rifle - Love it!!

Bruce

smallpatch · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2020, 11:40:29 PM »

Rich,
I love it! A weird, funky, unusual rifle. I like weird, funky, and unusual!
Love the folksy look. Kind of reminiscent (all though totally different shapes) of the Kutztown area of PA.
Very fun!

TommyG · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2020, 12:08:43 AM »

Rich, That is a great looking rifle with solid looking architecture. Using your imagination to create the "what if's" really makes this gun unique. Very well done.

flehto · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2020, 12:50:49 AM »

Fainot made unique LRs and so did you. The carving is very distinctive and your workmanship is to be applauded. The stock architecture is beautiful and this LR will be a good shooter.....Fred

bama · « **Reply #10 on:** May 29, 2020, 02:33:22 AM »

He was funky there is no doubt, you have done a fine job with is style. I love the different styles that are being built today. You have done a great job with this build.

Bob McBride · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2020, 03:22:50 AM »

I don't think you'll get too many critiques Rich. I rambled on about it on the other place you posted it.... Funky and quirky. Just my style.

alex e. · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2020, 04:59:34 AM »

I like it! Unique, to say the least.

J. Talbert · « **Reply #13 on:** May 29, 2020, 05:03:29 AM »

It seems the key word here is funky.
Well done Rich.

Jeff

Curtis · « **Reply #14 on:** May 29, 2020, 07:41:30 AM »

Great work Rich, you definitely captured that unique Fainot look!

Curtis

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #15 on:** May 29, 2020, 02:24:41 PM »

Well done Rich, I love everything about the Patchbox. The inlay at the TG is a neat touch.

Tim

Craig Wilcox · « **Reply #16 on:** May 29, 2020, 04:26:53 PM »

Rich, can you show and tell how the PB hinge was done? Trying, and failing, to understand it.

rich pierce · « **Reply #17 on:** May 29, 2020, 04:59:03 PM »

Hahaha you asked for it.

A couple of bearing blocks or pintles are carriages for the hinge pin. These are riveted to the surround. Everything is self contained, including the latch, latch spring, and opening spring. I figure Fainot lucked into a half gallon of brass rivets or something. If the pictures don’t tell the story I’ll explain more.

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rich pierce · « **Reply #18 on:** May 29, 2020, 05:18:13 PM »

Two more

smallpatch · « **Reply #19 on:** May 29, 2020, 05:40:42 PM »

Rich,
Once again...... ingenious, and approaching Rube Goldberg status.
Very well done!

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 30, 2020, 03:07:31 AM »

Rich you sure did a fine job on this one...like that patch box...
It's just neat...well done... Oldtravler

Joe Stein · « **Reply #21 on:** May 30, 2020, 06:20:27 AM »

Very nice, Rich. You sure put a lot of work into this rifle. Like Taylor said, there is a lot going on there. The patchbox and carving are really impressive.
-Joe Stein

rich pierce · « **Reply #22 on:** May 30, 2020, 06:29:40 AM »

Thanks for the comments. It’s my 2nd Fainot. I think I’ve got one more in me but my next project is a Hudson Valley fowling piece. Fainot #3 will be highly influenced by this very long fowler. But I’ll be tempted to put a box on it.

Dave B · « **Reply #23 on:** May 30, 2020, 08:31:05 AM »

Fabulous work Rich. I love the Fainot pieces for that vary reason you mention in their folksy charm and uniqueness. You can see it across a room and know who was the maker right off. Well done. Love to see what your new project as it comes together.

smart dog · « **Reply #24 on:** May 30, 2020, 12:45:49 PM »

Really nice Rich! You really captured an authentic look. Add some scratches, dents, and a little rust and you could put it in a museum with everyone thinking it was 250 years old. That fowler would be amazing.

dave

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Author Topic: Finished Fainot rifle (Read 3573 times)