First off, a little background:
I am new to this forum (day1). I didn't see a link for "new members intro's" so this is mine:
My screen name is WrongWay, also my "Camp Name", one never earns a camp name for doin' something right. (just sayin')
Yes i did earn it! My given name is Scott. Y'all can call me anything but "Late for Dinner!"
I was introduced to Muzzleloading and Rendezvous when in High School, The first "Rondy" I attended was at one of the original sites near Bever, Utah in 1975 or 76. That really got the fever started. Later in '76 my attention was nulled by joining the USMC. That took presidents in my life until, 1980. In '82 my wife gave me a Thompson Center .50 Hawkins kit as a 1st Annv. gift. I took my sweet time building it, 10 years! (yep
). I was in no hurry as we were living in Anaheim CA. and I didn't know anyone who shot PB in Cali.
One day while working at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Co. I overheard the Lead Mechanic talking to a friend about going to a Rondy! I light right up! He (Joe) asked me if i knew what a Rondy was.. "Longrifles, muskets, tomahawks, knife throwin' That kinda Rondy?" Joe asked if i had a muzzleloader, my response was:"Sorta." He asked: "How the %$#@ due you SORTA have a rifle?" Then i explained that it had yet to get blued, but the kit was otherwise built. He told me to just grape it as it would be more period correct anyway. After work he took me to the local gun store where i bought the Birchwood Casey Plumb Brown. I put 23 coats on that barrel over the next 4 days. Put the gun together on Friday night. First ball fired was on the "Walk-Through" the next day. She hadn't been sighted nor test fired before that! My score was 7 out of 23. But i was a grinning ear to ear! I have been competitively shooting muzzleloaders ever since!
I will post pics, once i figure out how to on this forum.
A very good friend who owned a local private range, had made some trades that included some old shotguns. He would bring out one at a time asking me what each was. The last one he handed me, my answer was: "BROKE". It is a cap-lock side-by-side that someone had "tried" to open as a modern. Apparently, across their knee. The stock was shattered from the fore-end through both locks. My friend asked if it could be fixed. Anything can be fixed. He told me to take it and give it a good home.
I ordered a stock blank from Track and took it to another very close friend, who is a longrifle gun builder. Roger was teaching me at his shop, as this project began. Thus far the stock is bandsaw cut to ruff shape, the barrel channels are roughly goughed, with just the beginning of the tang inletting ready to begin.
Roger became became ill at this point of the build. Then he passed some 4 years later. His widow has returned the project shotgun to me. With a small box containing the locks and furniture. The broken stock has gotten lost over the years.
I would like to finish building this old gun. I need to buy the carving tools and all the rest. I realise this is no weekend project! If it turns out well enough, I will put it to use at the range. I figure worst case, it can hang over the fireplace...
At the end of the day, I am a mechanic and i do some machining. I have the artistic talents of a bulldozer and can't draw a straight line with a ruler.
Again, i will post some pics to this thread.
This greenhorn is in need of much supervision and guidance! I have been told, I'm a good student though.
