Having gotten the urge to build a LR after completing a TC Hawken kit and w/o any research what so ever, I started a Beck styled LR and after little thought as to components, started this LR from a blank which I mistakenly thought would yield a Beck. The result is shown below and normally I don't name my guns but this LR was an exception....and its name was "Old Ugly" and it still is. As "its" creator I take full responsibility for this "mistake".
This "creation" which had a super accurate Douglas bbl soon proved its worth on squirrels and seeing it was a .45, only head hits were in "its" future. The bbl was 7/8" straight X 42" lg and although most would say it was muzzle heavy, it was "right" for me....I'm 6'-2" tall and welcomed "its" imbalance and steady hold.
A major mistake I made was the choice of a flintlock.....in a couple different ways. Physically the lock's size didn't "mate" up w/ the bbl and my "oversize" stock....and the small Siler at that time wasn't a "good performer".... the distance between the cock and frizzen at half cock was too small and the flint length had to be short which resulted in the frizzen not toggling over after a few shots due to flint wear. This I corrected and the lock performed "its duty" thereafter.
Spent many pleasant hours in the woods for squirrels w/ "Old Ugly" and finally decided it would be ruffed grouse in the morning {had to run my setters} and squirrels in the afternoon.....it was a Utopian schedule.
I've sold all my builds except my personal guns but never even thought of selling "Old Ugly" because I didn't want to "foist" her negative, aesthetic attributes on someone else....the LR 3rd pic down is the OA of "Old Ugly". Fred
