Author Topic: Half Stock 20ga Fowler (Read 2284 times)

Big Bubba · « **on:** March 08, 2022, 09:15:03 PM »

This is the start of my second flintlock from a blank. Made the hooked breech tang from a piece of angle iron, since I could find one available like I wanted. This was the worst part, lots of filing. Barrel is inlet and the under rib, thimbles and sight soldered on, and the ramrod hole drilled. Put some cold blue paste on, so I could see any excess solder that needed sanding off. Not sure how you keep solder on a round barrel from going everywhere, but it came off fairly easy.

Daryl · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2022, 11:54:32 PM »

Here's mine, made by a fellow named Hunkeler. It also has a hooked breech and very similar tang to yours.

Big Bubba · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2022, 12:44:53 AM »

Quote from: Daryl on March 08, 2022, 11:54:32 PM

Here's mine, made by a fellow named Hunkeler. It also has a hooked breech and very similar tang to yours.

Very nice Daryl. I may have to get some info on loads. Smoothbores are totally new to me.

Daryl · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2022, 05:18:16 AM »

Any time. Quite simple, really.

"Doing" the muzzle.

Big Bubba · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2022, 11:31:06 PM »

All the major parts are inlet. Had to modify a trigger guard by cutting off the front finial on an English trigger guard and adding a 1/4-28 boss to attach it to my trigger plate. A lot more shaping, filing and sanding to go.

gunmaker · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2022, 02:57:16 AM »

Use a "Lead" pencil to color long the exposed edge of solder joint.
solder will not stick...Great work, love walnut no likey work on it tho..

Daryl · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2022, 03:19:51 AM »

Been a while, but IIRC, working/sanding? on walnut turns the hands black.

Big Bubba · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2022, 07:03:26 AM »

Quote from: Daryl on March 22, 2022, 03:19:51 AM

Been a while, but IIRC, working/sanding? on walnut turns the hands black.

You are right. I could not tell before, because I had been using inletting black and I get that stuff all over me, but was not using it today and it still looks like I was.

Big Bubba · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2022, 08:36:10 PM »

Got most of the metal work finished and browned. Still have to polish the lock up. Pretty happy how the barrel came out. Sanded down to 600 grit and browned with Dangler's browning solution. Came out a nice redish brown almost translucent looking. I tried taking a picture, but it just doesn't show up good. I followed Dave's method on the stock; died with black and sanded off, died yellow and sanded ( did this several times raising the grain) and left a final coat on. Then died with a very diluted coat of LMF Cherry stain. I have been applying Chambers Finish. May need one more coat. Will see after it cures. I am really happy with the color.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2022, 08:48:38 PM »

Nice work BB!

Ken G · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2022, 09:43:48 PM »

It's looking great. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Ken

Daryl · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2022, 10:17:03 PM »

That is looking great!! Any full length pictures? Then closeups of the lock/stock, both sides please.

Big Bubba · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2022, 11:02:10 PM »

Quote from: Daryl on March 30, 2022, 10:17:03 PM

That is looking great!! Any full length pictures? Then closeups of the lock/stock, both sides please.

Thanks! Should have it all together in a couple more days and I'll take some more pictures. Had a knot in the forestock that has some interesting grain around it. I thought it only on the corner of the blank and I would clear it, but when I cut down the top to inlet the barrel found that the knot actually entered the left side and stopped. The knot was solid but had a crack in the middle of it, so I filled it with CVA glue before inletting the barrel. I was pretty happy how it came out. I call it a beauty mark.

smart dog · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2022, 12:45:54 AM »

Hi BB,
Beautiful! You nailed the browning and the stain and finish on the wood!!

dave

Big Bubba · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2022, 06:28:55 AM »

Quote from: smart dog on March 31, 2022, 12:45:54 AM

Hi BB,
Beautiful! You nailed the browning and the stain and finish on the wood!!

dave

Thanks Dave.

Big Bubba · « **Reply #15 on:** April 01, 2022, 10:38:01 PM »

Got it all put together. Plan to add some checkering on the wrist, depending on how my practice piece goes. Plus I want to let the finish cure for a few weeks. Hopefully I'll have some better pictures then.

Daryl · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2022, 11:43:19 PM »

Very nice job.

martin9 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 02, 2022, 01:38:33 AM »

Really like this gun. Just got started on a similar one. Think I'm gonna try a wood under rib. The barrel is really light so want to keep the whole gun light and lively.

How did you attach the forend cap? I've done horn muzzle caps on full stock guns but have never built a halfstock.

martin9 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2022, 01:40:18 AM »

One more question....what length barrel did you use? Thanks

Big Bubba · « **Reply #19 on:** April 02, 2022, 02:33:17 AM »

Thanks Daryl.

Marten,
The barrel is 38". It's a ebony nose cap. On this one I just glued it on with CVA. With all the chiseling and filing it did not come off, so I think I'm good. On my English rifle I actually used wood dowels and wood glue. Either way make sure you wipe down the mating surface with acetone, if using ebony, because of the oil in it.

martin9 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 02, 2022, 02:44:16 AM »

38" was what I was thinking for mine.

Your gun has got me wanting to get to work on mine in the morning. I have a really old beautifully figured and very dark piece of walnut. It's not long enough for a fullstock so I was just gonna splice it....I've done this before with English walnut on a Jaeger. Just glue held that splice together just fine so it oughta be good for a nosecap as well. I think a halfstock is the way to go now though. Thanks!

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Author Topic: Half Stock 20ga Fowler (Read 2284 times)