Author Topic: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE  (Read 2178 times)

Offline jim alford

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HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« on: January 16, 2021, 02:19:44 AM »
There has been some chatter of late on this and other sites about flint half stock HAWKEN as well as other half stock flint plains rifles. This rifle was inspired by photos of a rifle in Jim Gordon's collection. Whoever built the original was obviously inspired by the 1803 HARPERES FERRY rifle, adding a few ideas of his own. My rifle is not a bench copy , as my skill set does not allow for such, rather I tried to capture the basic theme of the piece.


















instagram photo full size download







Offline Daryl

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2021, 03:33:00 AM »
Good job of it, Jim. Your gun making talent sure exceeds mine.
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline Curtis

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2021, 04:38:16 AM »
Fantastic rifle!  I love it.

Curtis
Curtis Allinson
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Sometimes, late at night when I am alone in the inner sanctum of my workshop and no one else can see, I sand things using only my fingers for backing

Offline alacran

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2021, 02:56:35 PM »
Nice looking rifle, way more credible than a half stock flint Hawken.
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.  Frederick Douglass

Offline gwill

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2021, 03:23:32 PM »
That's a super build.  Congrats on the great work.  Can you tell us more about the barrel you used?

Offline Daniel Coats

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2021, 05:57:43 PM »
Looks very well made nice work!

Jim Gordon is one heck of a nice guy. He let me handle the Modena Hawken long enough that it actually got warm in my hands.
Dan

"Ain't no nipples on a man's rifle"

Offline jim alford

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2021, 06:13:32 PM »
gwill, The barrel was made by Jim Carpenter in Idaho. It is 34" long, tapered 1 1/16" to 1". Jim makes good custom barrels with great turn around time. PM me for contact info.

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2021, 06:49:21 PM »
I have two Carpenter barrels and they are indeed great shooters. I also know of several bench rest barrels with false puzzles that shoot and win at National matches that he has made. Supper craftsman that has flown under the radar so to speak.

Online D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2021, 08:34:43 PM »
Jim:  this is a very nicely made rifle.  There are no blemishes in the finish and the fit of hardware is excellent, except for one thing...I would like to see the trigger guard inlet more fully in the extensions, particularly the rear one.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline Notchy Bob

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2021, 10:41:36 PM »
Jim did a terrific job on that rifle.  It's a real beauty.

Many years ago, Green River Forge (not Green River Rifle Works) produced a rifle they called "the Astorian," which was very similar to this rifle in most respects.  The Astorian used double set triggers, a Haddaway lock (similar to a Siler) and omitted the patchbox, but was otherwise a lot like this rifle.  The design of the Astorian was said to have been based on an original in a museum somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, but nobody seemed to know exactly which museum, and nobody, to my knowledge, produced any pictures of the original.  Maybe they were referring to the rifle in Mr. Gordon's collection all along.

In any event, the rifle Mr. Alford is showing us here is a real beauty, and a refreshing departure from the trending insistence on recreating nonexistent half-stocked flintlock Hawkens.

Thanks for sharing!

Notchy Bob
"Should have kept the old ways just as much as I could, and the tradition that guarded us.  Should have rode horses.  Kept dogs."

from The Antelope Wife

Offline flatsguide

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #10 on: January 17, 2021, 09:03:45 PM »
Jim, that is a very nice looking rifle.
Richard

Offline duca

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2021, 01:35:14 AM »
VERY Nice!

Anthony
...and on the eighth day
God created the Longrifle...

Offline Capt Steve

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2021, 05:14:54 AM »
That’s beautiful. Great job.

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2021, 04:35:11 PM »
A fine looking piece for sure.Part military and part sporter that is well blended.
Bob Roller

Offline Percy

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Re: HALF STOCK FLINT PLAINS RIFLE
« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2021, 05:27:46 PM »
Very nice looking rifle. I would say your skill level is very high.
Percy