Author Topic: An Albrecht up for critique (Read 3597 times)

Robert Wolfe · « **on:** May 09, 2021, 08:00:19 PM »

I recently finished this Albrecht inspired rifle. It is based on RCA 46, shown relic condition in “Rifles of Colonial America” and restored in “Moravian Gun Making,” though I would not call mine a copy. It my third from a plank, ninth overall. I started it under the tutelage of Ian Pratt and Ken Gahagan at the Southern Ohio Workshops gun building class (which I highly recommend). I’d be happy for any constructive criticism. I like to think each one I do get’s a little better. Still room for lots of improvement though.

I used fairly plain sugar maple for the stock and a 54 caliber 41-inch barrel from Rice. The lock is a Chambers Siler and the butt plate and trigger guard were purchased. I made the one-piece nose cap, pipes, trigger and sideplate. Obviously, I antiqued it. Not everyone’s cup of tea but that’s what floats my boat.

wattlebuster · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2021, 08:06:20 PM »

I cant critique cause I cant do any better. I can say I like it an I think ya done a great job. Your antique job looks very nice as it floats my boat also

Daryl · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2021, 08:32:39 PM »

Very believable. The different sized round balls in the box is interesting.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2021, 08:48:18 PM »

I like the rifle and how you finished it. What did you use for stain and final Finnish.

Robert Wolfe · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2021, 08:55:13 PM »

Used ferric nitrate crystals dissolved in water for color. Sealed it with shellac then used multiple coats of alkanet oil and Chamber's oil finish. Black and brown shoe polish to finish. Also did some blackening of the finish with carbon black as I went along.

FALout · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2021, 10:06:56 PM »

Looks good, I have nothing to say for criticizing your work, job well done.

BOB HILL · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2021, 10:10:13 PM »

Fine looking rifle, Robert.
Bob

rick/pa · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2021, 10:12:45 PM »

I like this immensely. I'm doing a similar one, hope it turns out as good as yours.

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2021, 10:18:58 PM »

Not sure what the overall finish is, not the color but over all, like Daryl said; "Very believable". I like the little touch on the inside of the PB lid. I like it and I do see some Pratt om it.

Tim C.

rich pierce · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2021, 10:48:11 PM »

I like it. What’s the buttplate width? Not a criticism; it seems to look a little later than the original. Maybe just a little more curve in the buttplate, a little less mass in the buttstock.

Robert Wolfe · « **Reply #10 on:** May 09, 2021, 11:04:12 PM »

Rich, I agree the buttplate is not quite right. This was the best I could find in the time frame I had. It is just over 2 inches so should be wider. Had more heel in it than I wanted to so I ground some of that out of it but should have gone further. Good observation.

B.Barker · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2021, 11:16:03 PM »

Robert nice looking rifle. You did a very nice job on aging the brass. Not many people age brass that well.

Robert Wolfe · « **Reply #12 on:** May 10, 2021, 01:23:52 AM »

Thanks Brian. Still learning on the brass. I don't like the standard "brass black" as I am never satisfied with the color I get so I stay away from that. I fume with ammonia and use vinegar and salt. I also recently found that ferric nitrate that you use for staining will also tarnish.

Dwshotwell · « **Reply #13 on:** May 10, 2021, 02:39:49 AM »

I think it looks great. I'm planning to take that class this coming winter and hope I can do something half as good as what you have here. Ian had given me access to the examples for the class and I've been trying to decide between the Albrecht - inspired rifle that you chose or the Roger Lewis fowler. I was leaning toward the fowler but your piece may just sway me back the other way.

Robert Wolfe · « **Reply #14 on:** May 10, 2021, 02:54:26 AM »

Hey David, I did that one too at the class 3 or 4 years ago. Posted pics of my version of the Lewis gun here https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=52597.msg525397#msg525397 . You can't go wrong with either one.

Daryl · « **Reply #15 on:** May 10, 2021, 03:09:26 AM »

I was wondering before about the different sized balls - am even more curious now?

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #16 on:** May 10, 2021, 03:31:27 AM »

I'll call it nifty.

JWrightsman · « **Reply #17 on:** May 10, 2021, 04:03:38 AM »

I sure am a fan of that rifle!! Great finish work on it.

Robert Wolfe · « **Reply #18 on:** May 10, 2021, 04:21:38 AM »

Daryl - sorry, no interesting story on the odd ball sizes. I just threw some random oxidized balls in there to roll around and dirty up the box. I suspect the small ones would not shoot too well!

Robert Wolfe · « **Reply #19 on:** May 10, 2021, 04:24:07 AM »

A "nifty" from Mike, I'll take that any day.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #20 on:** May 10, 2021, 04:26:40 AM »

Amazing job!

Looks like a well cared for antique rifle.

Ian Pratt · « **Reply #21 on:** May 10, 2021, 03:39:21 PM »

Really well done Robert, congratulations! Carving looks just right. The more of these you build I can see a distinctive finishing style developing.
As an aside - you know I would never say something like this publicly but I think it's shameful that Ken has not left a comment for you yet. I know we've come to expect this kind of behavior from but it's just not right.

Ian Pratt · « **Reply #22 on:** May 10, 2021, 03:39:49 PM »

t.caster · « **Reply #23 on:** May 10, 2021, 04:52:22 PM »

Doggone nice! Looks like a survivor !

bama · « **Reply #24 on:** May 10, 2021, 05:46:32 PM »

Nicely done rifle gun sir. Sorry you had to put up with the likes of the two teachers you had, I've heard they are a bad influence. Despite that you have persevered and produced a very fine rifle.

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Author Topic: An Albrecht up for critique (Read 3597 times)

JWrightsman