New Covid Project (pictures added)

[Keb]

I've not been doing much in the last few years and the virus has me staying home so I decided to make me a new gun. I started a couple weeks ago. It's moving along a little faster than I'd like it to though.
I saw a early trade gun by K. Gahagan a few years that knocked my socks off so I'm attempting to copy it with mediocre skills. I'm not expecting anything to compare to his but it'll be good enough for the girls I run around with.
It's a 11 gauge x 46" Colerain octagon to round barrel with a 1746 Bess lock. Maple wood with absolutely no curl. I'm using brass to make trigger guard & side serpent & thumb piece. Steel butt plate & pipes. I got the barrel cut in & the lock plate. I've still got a trigger & butt plate to make.
English Trade Gun.

Here's what I've got done so far:




keepin  busy in quarantine Keb

[bob in the woods]

I like it .   Please keep posting re your progress .

[gunmaker]

Nice early era gun, very nice.

[oldtravler61]

  Looking good Keb...your farther along than my Sorry I'm working on...Oldtravler

[Keb]

I've made progress since posting the 1st time. I've weighed it at just a shade over 8 lbs. I've got the lock inlet, the trigger mounted, the trigger guard made & located and the pipes mounted. I'm in the process of shaping & thinning now. I've still got the serpent side plate & thumb piece to make. No new pictures ATM but I will post more later. thanks for looking.

[Keb]

New pictures added

[Daryl]

Good pictures, Keb. The the wrist really that narrow ahead of the comb? Very interesting stock design.
I see it is kindof perch bellied. Is that going to be more pronounced, blending with the toe?
Certainly nice and slim in the front end.

[Keb]

Hey Daryl. The small of the wrist is 1 3/8". It's a big gun. The barrel is  1 1/4" at the breech. The toe line is straight, no perch belly at all. It has a 13 1/2" length o pull and weighs 8 3/4lbs. Has 3/8" cast off. It holds great. You look right down the barrel when you shoulder it. .75" bore x 46" barrel.
I'm trying to loosely copy this one.

[Greg Pennell]

I like it...and I bet it’ll be a comfortable shooting gun. That 3/4” bore ought to put the holy smack-down on turkeys, too!

Greg

[BOB HILL]

Good looking gun there, Keb.
Bob

[Keb]

I've changed directions. I was looking at pictures of the one I was going after and didn't like the way I did the wrist. The damage was done so I went to Grinslade's book and found another shape stock I liked.

I've made progress but still more to do before the color goes on. added a French trigger guard, butt plate & entry pipe. Made a big old side plate & a silver wrist escussion. Its made from a silver quarter from the year of my birth which I've had since I was a wee lad.

[t.caster]

Pretty darn COOL!

[Marcruger]

Okay.  That is fascinating. 

I can see how that one would lend itself to a conventional finishing job, or a well-worn looking distressed finish like a surviving original.

Please proceed, and keep us updated with pictures.

God Bless, Marc 

[Keb]

I've finished. Cold brown is not a good process for an Ohio winter in a shop without heat.
I'm usually in Florida or Arizona this time of year. Maybe next year.

[Daryl]

The barrel looks just fine, like a British watery brown.
Now, replace that chunk of wood with a flint and git shootin' it.
.75 cal. gives lots of room for ball sizes.
.735" to .715" in standard moulds.
I have a .724" Tanner mould that would be about perfect. (but I need it)

[Keb]

I’ve got a .735 I’m gonna use. This is not my 1st 11 gauge. I like em but they are very hungry.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

That is a neat project!