Author Topic: Wallace Gusler's latest rifle (Read 11117 times)

Dennis Glazener · « **on:** June 20, 2020, 03:59:14 AM »

I am posting these for Wallace Gusler, he said he didn't want folks to think he had quit building

I am sure Wallace will be along to answer any questions you might have. That engraving on the patch box has first/last name of the owner on it.

rich pierce · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2020, 04:08:24 AM »

He hasn’t lost his edge.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2020, 04:09:35 AM »

It,s easy to see why he is considered a master.

Bob McBride · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2020, 04:16:02 AM »

Wow. Looking at that carving is like watching 4k video. Crisp. Nothing not to like about that..... My wife likes that same flat purple toenail polish....

Stophel · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2020, 04:32:09 AM »

Is this a beeswax finish? Or pine pitch or some other? I've always been fascinated with the notion of it, but I still have a hard time believing it is durable at all. I do like the unstained golden brown look.

vanu · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2020, 04:59:07 AM »

The finish is asphaltum and raw* linseed oil. Three or four additional applications over a year or so, and you get a wonderful nut-brown translucent finish that is completely waterproof. This is a great rifle in the early (1770's) style coming out of Virginia; Huffman/Davidson and Adam Haymaker of note.

I'm sure Wallace will happily address any questions that are posted.

*Boiled linseed oil hardens and you can only apply one coat.

Bruce

J. Talbert · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2020, 05:57:46 AM »

Love the carving. So many great little subtle details... and the finish accentuates it so well.
Nifty side plate also.

Has a very solid look despite its wonderful decoration.

Jeff

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2020, 07:37:32 AM »

Absolutely a joy to look at. Thanks Wallace for posting your rifle here. My question has to do with the barrel and tang finish...charcoal blued?

mr. no gold · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2020, 09:10:02 AM »

Absolutely gorgeous!!! Can we see it when it's finished?
Dick

Rolf · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2020, 10:32:39 AM »

Wow, that's a level I don't think I'll ever come close to.

Best regards
Rolf

elk killer · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2020, 01:55:25 PM »

Any chance of seeing the lock?

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2020, 02:39:56 PM »

Is that a brass box spring or is just a trick of light and reflection?

Dennis Glazener · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2020, 03:10:01 PM »

Quote from: Eric Kettenburg on June 20, 2020, 02:39:56 PM

Is that a brass box spring or is just a trick of light and reflection?

Eric,
Yes its brass and so is the release spring. I noticed it and asked Wallace about it. He said brass springs were sometimes used in early guns and would outlast steel. Hopefully he will answer questions about their use.

Also ask him about the off center slots on patch box screws

Dennis

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2020, 03:40:14 PM »

I wasn't sure if it was brass or the lighting. No reason work-hardened brass wouldn't work well, especially given the limited movement and limited pressure of this particular spring type. I've just never seen one in an old gun although I have seen one here and there in old clocks. Might make for an interesting wood box catch, too, which needs even less movement and tension.

alacran · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2020, 03:46:21 PM »

I met Mr Gusler at Martin's Station back in 2013. I don't remember if it was that year or the next that he showed a rifle he had finished exactly as the one he posts here. I had a long conversation with him. He said the owner of the rifle insisted on taking it hunting, before he had applied all necessary coats of linseed oil, and was in the process of applying more. The asphaltum accentuates the carving. It is joy to behold a rifle made by Mr Gusler. Knowing that it is a rifle made totally as it would have been made in the 18th century.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #15 on:** June 20, 2020, 03:53:05 PM »

I like everything about it. The color really helps the carving come through. I like his choice in toe nail polish too, those darker colors are really trendy. I'm wonder about he name contained on the box....Knuckles McKey?...Keystytone Boxman ?.....Maybe not.

This may be my favorite Gusler gun, very warm yet the carving is incredibly crisp and well designed.

bama · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2020, 04:54:05 PM »

I have been a fan of Wallace’s work for a long time and it’s great to see another rifle by him. He is a truly dedicated and skilled craftsman. Thanks for sharing this great rifle.

Joe S. · « **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2020, 04:59:35 PM »

LOL, Mike, thought that was Dennis's foot till I read he was just passing the picture along.Great rifle too.

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2020, 05:20:27 PM »

Dennis. Thanks for posting this. It is always a pleasure to look at Wallace's work.

Dennis Glazener · « **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2020, 08:36:39 PM »

Quote from: Mike Brooks on June 20, 2020, 03:53:05 PM

I like everything about it. The color really helps the carving come through. I like his choice in toe nail polish too, those darker colors are really trendy. I'm wonder about he name contained on the box....Knuckles McKey?...Keystytone Boxman ?.....Maybe not. This may be my favorite Gusler gun, very warm yet the carving is incredibly crisp and well designed.

I am sure that's Liza's toenail polish, she took the photos.
Dennis

Not English · « **Reply #20 on:** June 20, 2020, 09:29:57 PM »

What a joy to look at! I love the small details such as the hexagonal patch box latch with the moldings at the base. I think I will be looking into asphaltum and oil and see what it does.

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2020, 12:22:10 AM »

"Asphaltum" is somewhat of a catch-all term, especially nowadays. Historically it was generally referring to a fossilized resin, not a fresh or sticky tree resin. For those who appreciate this type of finish or coloring, you can obtain a darker color if you dissolve the resin into heated turpentine and use that as a 'stain' followed by either oil or - as Wallace uses here - resin dissolved in oil. Red maple in particular, due to the easier penetration of the the wood, can yield very dark almost black stripes with the resin in turpentine as it will penetrate more deeply into the wood than when oil is used as a vehicle.

The HUGE benefit of this type of finishing is no grain raising whatsoever, always a detriment to using aqua fortis.

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 21, 2020, 12:55:21 AM »

Thanks Dennis for posting for Wallace...He truly is a Master .
Oldtravler

tallbear · « **Reply #23 on:** June 21, 2020, 02:00:56 AM »

Great gun Wallace.I got to see this rifle unfinished at Mels Show this spring.There is so much going on with this gun particularly with the carving,much that doesn't show in these pictures.I hope to get to see it in person again now that it's finished.

Mitch

Not English · « **Reply #24 on:** June 21, 2020, 02:05:15 AM »

Eric, Thanks for the info about asphaltum. I appreciate the insights.

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Author Topic: Wallace Gusler's latest rifle (Read 11117 times)