Author Topic: Don Bruton's latest creation (Read 3677 times)

MuskratMike · « **on:** February 08, 2021, 06:39:10 AM »

Just after the first of the year I was talking to Don Bruton. He told me he had just finished his last "custom order" gun. From now on he would dream up what his next creation would be, design it then build it finally offering it up for sale. His first creation in this new chapter of his long rifle building creation is going to be a "cobbled" together rifle that would tell a story (fictitious). It would start out as a rifle built in or near Reading Pennsylvania (circa 1790's) that needed to be totally rebuilt. The gunsmith used only the lock, trigger and barrel that would need to be re-bored from .51 to .54 caliber. In the gun makers shop he had a broken Jacob Dickert rifle (circa 1770's) that he would use the Butt plate, side plate, & trigger guard after refashioning them to fit the North Carolina stock he would use (circa 1805). The stock (as the story goes) has a flaw in the wrist that required a repair to strengthen. The Nose cap, thimbles wrist repair and patina were created by Don.
When I heard this I told Don if he would make the length of pull between 13 1/2 - 14 inches I would buy it! We talked several times during the build. I have not yet seen the rifle in person but thought you all would like to see her. There will be a full story submitted to Muzzle Blasts telling the entire (fictitious) story and how this all transpired.
Don will be making more of this kind of work so keep your eyes peeled on his web page (google Don Bruton guns). His prices are more than fair and he is a pleasure to deal with.
Anyone is interested please feel free to message me with any questions.
Thanks Don for building me this fine gun.

wattlebuster · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2021, 12:17:42 PM »

I love it. Very sharp looking. Ive never run across one of Don's guns that I didnt like.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2021, 05:15:05 PM »

Great gun and story. I believe that patchbox style is from an original if I remember right.

Nice work Don!

BOB HILL · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2021, 06:13:22 PM »

Another great gun by a great maker. Thanks for posting these photographs.
Bob

Bob McBride · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2021, 06:17:39 PM »

Very nice Mike.

MuskratMike · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2021, 07:04:48 PM »

Daniel you have a very good eye. yes it is.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2021, 08:13:09 PM »

Quote from: MuskratMike on February 08, 2021, 07:04:48 PM

Daniel you have a very good eye. yes it is.

Thought I recognized it! Here's the one Don made for me some years back.

Cotton1of2 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2021, 11:46:26 PM »

What a fantastic rifle! Cant wait to shoot it, please!!

Keith Zimmerman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2021, 02:46:08 AM »

Pretty cool idea. Even cooler result.

Pasquinel · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2021, 06:05:23 PM »

Muskrat, Really cool rifle maybe I can touch trigger on it at Winter Bend. Hopefully you can hang some meat with it in the fall. Hold center Mike

Marcruger · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2021, 06:48:41 PM »

Don sure does fine work. Guns that call you and say, "Hey.....let's go shooting". My favorite type of gun. Don is such a great guy too. God Bless, Marc

DBoone · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2021, 10:41:22 PM »

Thanks everyone for the kind words and positive response to Muskrat Mike's latest rifle! Much appreciated!

I fully understand that a lot of folks do not understand and, in many cases, do not like a gun like this that has so much artificial patina. I also realize that there is a growing group of folks that are attracted to a gun that appears to have the warmth, charm and historic realism of a well-used original. There are many degrees of "patina" that can be done, from light/mild to heavy with damage and repair. It truly is another layer of "art" to participate in and is not for everyone, for sure.
As a side note, the 2-pc. patchbox design was taken as a "rubbing" from an original iron mounted Virginia rifle that I was able to study about 30 years ago, thanks to a Doctor in Elizabethton, TN opening up his collection for me. I don't remember the supposed maker.....(unsigned), but circa was around 1780 - 1790. Totally awesome rifle!!

MuskratMike · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2021, 10:28:47 PM »

BUMP!

MuskratMike · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2021, 07:18:48 AM »

As Don is only building a few rifles a year now. I just heard he has started another so if you want to get one these fantastic rifles I would get in touch with him.
I have it on good authority this new one will be a very early style Southern Rifle in .58 caliber with a 42-inch octagon to round Colerian barrel. For more you will just have to wait until he offers it up for sale or give him a call and snap it up before anyone else does.

DBoone · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2021, 07:22:44 PM »

Actually.......my current goal for "Spec Guns" is "one-per-month".......(12/year)......I have other projects besides the guns and this will leave enough time for bass fishing!!

Srkmarine1101 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2021, 04:12:36 PM »

Now that is just cool

Tony N · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2021, 06:46:42 PM »

Absolutely beautiful gun!

BOB HILL · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2021, 05:01:55 PM »

Don, the rest of us Carolina boys are awful proud of the work you've done all these years and look forward to seeing much more of it.
Bob

DBoone · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2021, 06:17:33 PM »

Thank you, Bob. I'm humbled clean down to the ground. Great gunmakers like you provide me with plenty of spirit and inspiration to stay at the bench.

BOB HILL · « **Reply #19 on:** March 01, 2021, 03:44:30 PM »

Don, you’re to kind
Bob

MuskratMike · « **Reply #20 on:** March 01, 2021, 06:53:57 PM »

I second what Bob said. Don may just be one of the nicest people men I've ever worked with and count him as a friend.

Marcruger · « **Reply #21 on:** March 01, 2021, 09:11:35 PM »

"Don, the rest of us Carolina boys are awful proud of the work you've done all these years and look forward to seeing much more of it.
Bob"

I couldn't have said it any better.

MuskratMike · « **Reply #22 on:** March 05, 2021, 08:28:01 PM »

Now go to Contemporary Accoutrements to see the knife he made to go with this rifle.

AZshot · « **Reply #23 on:** March 05, 2021, 08:34:56 PM »

I've got to weigh in too, as a native North Carolinian (now in AZ), I'm SO glad the people of this forum tipped me off that one of his NC mountain rifles was coming available. I was just looking at it again yesterday, it's not been shot in about a month, time to go out again with it! Thanks Don, for all these great throwbacks to our American history.

Garrett

MuskratMike · « **Reply #24 on:** March 08, 2021, 01:14:58 AM »

News:

Author Topic: Don Bruton's latest creation (Read 3677 times)

Pasquinel