Author Topic: Southern Rifle - Finished! (pics) (Read 20789 times)

eagle24 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 30, 2009, 04:34:55 PM »

Guys, I appreciate all the kind words. You can make anything look good with a digital camera.

Last year (2008) was my first trip to the CLA show. I was inspired and blown away with the magnificent work and all the talent. I had just started working on this rifle. I started feeling pretty good about how the rifle was turning out, and then September rolled around and I went to my second CLA show. Boy did that take the wind out of my sails! I have a long way to go before I am close to the builders on here and those that display their work at the show. I'm not going to name any names, but several of you replied in this thread. I just hope that someday I can get in the same zip code of the real builders with my work.

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #26 on:** September 30, 2009, 04:43:07 PM »

G, Don't be chasing fame, it's a hollow reward. The real light at the end of the tunnel is that you can come to enjoy the work in front of you, the right here, the right now. Your enjoyment will deepen as you build more, and this joy spreads to those around you. It's infectious. You will also be helping others find their way as you gain confidence and experience.

Personally, I am so happy to see what you have made, and see how justifiably proud of your work you are. It's a beautiful thing.

Keep up the good work.

Tom

eagle24 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:04:54 PM »

Quote from: Acer Saccharum on September 30, 2009, 04:43:07 PM

G, Don't be chasing fame, it's a hollow reward. The real light at the end of the tunnel is that you can come to enjoy the work in front of you, the right here, the right now. Your enjoyment will deepen as you build more, and this joy spreads to those around you. It's infectious. You will also be helping others find their way as you gain confidence and experience.

Personally, I am so happy to see what you have made, and see how justifiably proud of your work you are. It's a beautiful thing.

Keep up the good work.

Tom

No, Tom. I'm not after any fame. I'd just like to have the creative vision some of you guys have and then the ability to pull of what's in my mind. I wanted to engrave my initials in the top barrel flat, but unfortunately my practice with a graver was too good an indication of how that would turn out. I still have a long way to go on just the basic skills.

Robby · « **Reply #28 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:16:52 PM »

G, I love those southern guns, and yours is a beauty. Very sleek and elegant, Thanks for showing it!
Robby

longcruise · « **Reply #29 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:35:07 PM »

That rifle just catches your eyes and pulls them along it's lines. Kinda like a pretty girl!

Is the trigger guard modified? I've not seen one with that shape at the end of the rail before. Looks like a very practical shooting grip.

Ed Wenger · « **Reply #30 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:49:35 PM »

Greg...

I'm one of those guys who now nothing about southern mountain rifles, but I'd like to think I know good work when I see it, and that is nice work! I love the wood finish and the treatment you did with the metal. Very nice lines all the way around. Great job and thanks for the pics!

Ed

Dennis Glazener · « **Reply #31 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:54:23 PM »

Greg,
Nice work. You can be proud of it.

One nit-picking comment, I have never seen an original southern mountain rifle with the tip turned out (toward the muzzle).

Have you shot it yet? The reason I ask is that the rear sight looks too high but it might be dead on.

Dennis

M Tornichio · « **Reply #32 on:** September 30, 2009, 07:08:42 PM »

Greg, nice looking rifle. I think you did a good job, and did something that is really difficult to do sometimes when you are just strating out and that is take your time and ask for help. in the end I think it shows in the rifle.

I am with Dennis have you shot it yet? I have been shooting my rifle quite a bit this summer and have been having a blast with it. You have a lot of fun to look forward to using the rifle.

Marc

t.caster · « **Reply #33 on:** September 30, 2009, 07:22:24 PM »

Beautiful creation indeed! My FIRST was nowhere near that nice, but I still enjoyed it for many years! With the level of craftsmanship you showed in this, I know you will be able to pick up engraving and carving as well, in time.
Now go out and enjoy it!

James Rogers · « **Reply #34 on:** September 30, 2009, 07:38:59 PM »

Quote from: GHall on September 30, 2009, 06:04:54 PM

I wanted to engrave my initials in the top barrel flat, but unfortunately my practice with a graver was too good an indication of how that would turn out. I still have a long way to go on just the basic skills.

I finished my first gun this summer just before Dixon's. Like you, I really want to get my name on the barrel and since mine. It is an English fowling and gun I need to engrave the hardware as well. I have not had time yet for enough practice to satisfy myself in the execution of it but I will soon.

B.Barker · « **Reply #35 on:** September 30, 2009, 07:49:36 PM »

Ghall very nice rifle. Did you make the furniture for it? What kind of barrel and what caliber does it have? Keep up the good work.

KLMoors · « **Reply #36 on:** September 30, 2009, 09:28:05 PM »

God, that's real pretty. Thanks for the pics.

California Kid · « **Reply #37 on:** September 30, 2009, 09:46:46 PM »

Nice clean work. Patience pays off, especially on a first build.
What was your formula for the aqua fortis, color came out good.

SR James · « **Reply #38 on:** September 30, 2009, 09:51:40 PM »

Outstanding. You've really captured the simple beauty of the southern rifle.

eagle24 · « **Reply #39 on:** October 01, 2009, 03:05:14 AM »

Quote from: Dennis Glazener on September 30, 2009, 06:54:23 PM

One nit-picking comment, I have never seen an original southern mountain rifle with the tip turned out (toward the muzzle).

Have you shot it yet? The reason I ask is that the rear sight looks too high but it might be dead on.

Dennis,
I think you are right that it will shoot high. I hope I can file the rear sight enough to get it down, if not I'll just have to make another one. I hope to shoot it tommorrow or this weekend.

On the ramrod tip. Rookie mistake on my part and I agree the tip on the other end would be more fitting for this rifle. I have seen a couple with the tip on the muzzle end. The Jos Bogle rifle has the tip on the muzzle end as does the Higgins Pistol Grip rifle. I'm going to make another ramrod when I get time. Right now I'm interested in getting it sighted in and going hunting.

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #40 on:** October 01, 2009, 03:26:44 PM »

Outstanding , great lines, I'll bet you are happy with it, as well you should be.

Tim C.

stuart cee dub · « **Reply #41 on:** October 02, 2009, 07:05:23 PM »

Greg ,Really nice clean southern mtn rifle .Lovely.
One of the other posters ,Longcruise, asked about your trigger guard.Could you tell us a bit about it ?
It appears as if you made it yourself and it does look comfortable.How thick is the steel?
Did you also fabricate the buttplate ? It appears as if there is a solder line on it .
If the copper plate on the bottom came from a moonshine still that would be a real authentic mountain detail

What caliber barrel did you use ,was it straight or swamped,and would you do anything differently ?
Love to know more .
Regards Stuart

Ian Pratt · « **Reply #42 on:** October 02, 2009, 08:18:11 PM »

Greg, real nice job man, good looking rifle. I see you got your acid stain figured out, looks good! Must be humid as $#*! there, I see your tallow hole swelled shut.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #43 on:** October 02, 2009, 08:24:51 PM »

I have to add my approval to this long list of kudos. In particular, I think you have done a super job of finishing the wood. And for a first build, your skill as a craftsman shows through loud and clear.
Questions: go back to his first post on page one. He describes the calibre and barrel specs there.

mike e · « **Reply #44 on:** October 02, 2009, 08:43:50 PM »

GHall, Great looking rifle!!!! With that triggerguard and side plate it looks like you were influenced by the John Bull rifles made at Warrior Mountion in Alabama. If that"s true couldn't we call that an Alabama Rifle?

eagle24 · « **Reply #45 on:** October 02, 2009, 09:14:35 PM »

Stuart,
The trigger guard is forged and mostly around 3/16" thick. It was given to me by a guy at the CLA show in 2008. The butt plate is cast and I think I got it from Tip Curtis. I did bend a little more rake into it. As far as doing anything different. I hope my inletting skills improve and next time when I am done sanding I will sand it a couple more times. I missed a spot or two that showed in the final finish. Luckily they were in out of the way places.

Ian,
Yes. Humidity is really high here. I thought about the tallow hole, even chucked the bit in the drill once.

Taylor,
Thank you. As you probably well know, the digital photos don't show all. There is plenty of room to do better next time.

kentucky bucky · « **Reply #46 on:** October 04, 2009, 11:10:48 PM »

Somebody might want to buy it from you if you keep showing it off! Looks great makes my first look like a 3rd grader made it.

PS...I was just kidding about wanting the "you know what" back.

eagle24 · « **Reply #47 on:** October 05, 2009, 05:10:08 AM »

Quote from: kentucky bucky on October 04, 2009, 11:10:48 PM

PS...I was just kidding about wanting the "you know what" back.

Thanks again for the trigger guard Tom! It's the best part of the rifle. Gotta send you something soon, I feel like I'm way behind.

AZ Longrifle · « **Reply #48 on:** October 05, 2009, 07:29:14 AM »

That is one beautiful rifle!
My question is:
How did you do the finish on the barrel and lock to get that worn and splotchy finish of an old, used gun?
It looks great and I would like to reproduce that on my Blunderbuss barrel, which is still in the "white".
Thank you!

kentucky bucky · « **Reply #49 on:** October 06, 2009, 07:52:06 AM »

Quote from: GHall on October 05, 2009, 05:10:08 AM

Quote from: kentucky bucky on October 04, 2009, 11:10:48 PM
PS...I was just kidding about wanting the "you know what" back.

Thanks again for the trigger guard Tom! It's the best part of the rifle. Gotta send you something soon, I feel like I'm way behind.

Hey....No Way! We're even! I'm happy that your happy, so let's just be long distance "buds" and talk once a year at the CLA show. Deal??

News:

Author Topic: Southern Rifle - Finished! (pics) (Read 20789 times)

eagle24

eagle24

California Kid

eagle24

mike e

eagle24

eagle24

AZ Longrifle