Author Topic: C. Oerter rifle progress (Read 3283 times)

t.caster · « **on:** October 29, 2021, 06:07:57 PM »

I haven't posted anything for awhile, been having internet server problems for some time now but I've been very busy building though. This Christian Oerter rifle has finally progressed to the recognizable stage so I thought I would post some pics. While my customer has been busy at Mike Brooks class this week I have been doing wire inlay on his "1774" .50 cal rifle. Still have some wire work to do around the rr tang. Some of the silver doesn't show well with stock in the white, but it will stand out when stained.

private image upload

smart dog · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2021, 06:17:54 PM »

Hi Tom,
That is looking GREAT!

dave

J. Talbert · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2021, 06:21:59 PM »

Looks super!
Looking forward to seeing it complete.

Jeff

yip · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2021, 07:26:32 PM »

Tom; what kind of silver wire are you using? i can see it sterling silver but is it soft or hard?

t.caster · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2021, 07:37:26 PM »

yip, that's 16 ga. sterling silver wire from Rio Grande, rolled to a flat .008-.010". It is stiff, the rolling process work hardens it, so it has to be annealed.

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2021, 07:47:38 PM »

Man Tom That is going to be a beauty, look forward to seeing more.

Tim

rich pierce · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2021, 07:49:35 PM »

The wire does look terrific!

yip · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2021, 09:29:51 PM »

Tom; your work is beatiful and the best i've seen, do you roll this wire yourself? i ordered wire fro TOTW and it soft, having trouble with quilting, maybe to soft. help!

TommyG · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2021, 10:00:04 PM »

That's some real nice work. Great job capturing Oerter's work. She going to be something special when complete.

t.caster · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2021, 10:25:14 PM »

Yip, can you explain what you mean by "quilting"?
Dennis Priddy (25 mi. away) has a hand cranked roller we used to flatten the round wire.

LilysDad · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2021, 11:06:33 PM »

That's going to be a beauty. Is that short cheek piece indicative of Oerter?

Daryl · « **Reply #11 on:** October 29, 2021, 11:10:04 PM »

I agree - that silver is going to "POP" with a darkly stained stock.

t.caster · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2021, 12:53:54 AM »

Quote from: LilysDad on October 29, 2021, 11:06:33 PM

That's going to be a beauty. Is that short cheek piece indicative of Oerter?

Yes, they were quite short.

Kiltman20 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2021, 12:55:13 AM »

Very nice.

FALout · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2021, 02:32:57 AM »

Quote from: t.caster on October 30, 2021, 12:53:54 AM

Quote from: LilysDad on October 29, 2021, 11:06:33 PM
That's going to be a beauty. Is that short cheek piece indicative of Oerter?

Yes, they were quite short.

Needed room for all that wire work or as in the pic, for that beautiful wood carving

Frozen Run · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2021, 02:49:26 PM »

Congrats Guy on getting such a fine rifle! Having an original or contemporary master's work in your own shop to be able to handle as a study piece is invaluable. There is so much nuance in architecture, lines, transitions and how they all blend together that much of it does not get conveyed in a picture from a book. Also, depth of carving, engraving, and their composition. Being able to pick it up and see how it should feel and if the Oerter you're building in your shop feels the same way. Keep them calipers and a ruler handy when you're doing it, it's surprising how tiny little inaccuracies can throw the whole look and feel of a rifle off.

I'm sure it'll be a great shooter as well.

yip · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2021, 04:05:29 PM »

Tom; by the iterm quilting i mean it rolls over while seat the ribbon. being new to the wire inlaying i guess there's a learn curve. got a dvd of James Turbin and he uses german silver for the new guy, maybe its the way to go

Percy · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2021, 04:55:29 PM »

WOW, that is beautiful work! I can only imagine how great the finished rifle will look.

Percy

alacran · « **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2021, 12:32:46 PM »

Great job on the star. It will be stunning once the wood is finished.

bama · « **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2021, 03:08:09 PM »

Very nice Tom, it’s going to be a beauty when you finish.

Marcruger · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2021, 05:14:06 PM »

Beautiful work as usual sir. God Bless, Marc

t.caster · « **Reply #21 on:** November 01, 2021, 10:55:45 PM »

Yip, I always called that #*&%$*, now I know better! I use this little tool to stand it back up. Tap it very lightly with small hammer. It also corrects my curves & volutes if the get flat spots.
Yes, GS wire would be cheaper.

bama · « **Reply #22 on:** November 01, 2021, 11:12:31 PM »

German Silver wire is stiffer and not nearly as bright as sterling silver wire. It is harder to make a bend on a curvature of the stock like in the wrist or forearm because it is so stiff. Sterling can be bent much easier in these areas.

flehto · « **Reply #23 on:** November 02, 2021, 06:31:21 AM »

Your "wire" work is excellent and I really like the star....is that your and Oerter's design? The wire work is extensive....not familiar w/ Oerter's work but did he have that much "wire"?....Fred

t.caster · « **Reply #24 on:** November 02, 2021, 06:47:20 AM »

Flehto, That's an Oerter star that also shows up in Lehigh and Bucks county rifles. Yes he did a lot of wire work, some were much more complex than this one!

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Author Topic: C. Oerter rifle progress (Read 3283 times)