latest pistol

[Goo]

Here is a pic of my latest scratch pistol build, Euro style done in an American maple. I know that walnut is the wood of choice for these types of guns but I was wanting to try out this block of maple which turned out to be exceptionally "Broomey".  I couldn`t get the detail I hoped for on the relief carving behind the tang or a perfect fit around the butt cap and spurs because of the broominess I just have not figured out a solution for that other than learn to pick wood more carefully. .  I still need to go back and adjust the carving detail behind the entry pipe and maybe a few other things after I read your comments and opinions.   Other details are as follows; OAL 20" I got the barrel,0.62 cal from Ken Netting making it the weight of an original pistol, I got the lock and lock/tang screws from Larry Zorns M&G shop. trigger and plate from Mike Lea, butt cap MLBS. All the other parts I made myself, tung oil finish, engraving is hammer and chisel with a bit of multi liner       

[Ken G]

Outstanding job to me.  I think it looks great.

Ken

[alacran]

Maple was also used in Euro guns, specially the "broomey" kind. Fruitwood such as pear was also used. The only way to deal with such wood , aside from the usual must have very sharp tools, is to take the clock out of the build.
Nice job!

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Fantastic!

Cory Joe

[Jim Kibler]

That’s nice.  I especially like your lock engraving.

Jim

[gusd]

Very nice, like it all. Bet it feels great in hand!
Gus

[oldtravler61]

  Goo I for one think you did an excellent job on your gun.
  This style is my favorite.... Nice work indeed.. Which lock of Larry's did you use...?   Oldtravler

[Goo]

  Goo I for one think you did an excellent job on your gun.
  This style is my favorite.... Nice work indeed.. Which lock of Larry's did you use...?   Oldtravler

 
I think it said tulle on it but I think he only has the one banana lock

[Goo]

That’s nice.  I especially like your lock engraving.

Jim

 Mike Lea showed me how.

[Bob Gerard]

Oh my that's beautiful.
Can you explain "broomy" for me- I am lost on that one.

[BOB HILL]

Nice work. Thanks for sharing.
Bob

[davec2]

Goo,

Beautiful pistol !  Also my favorite style and I love the maple stock.  Where is the trigger guard from ? Did you make that ?  And how long is the barrel ?

Thanks

[Goo]

Oh my that's beautiful.
Can you explain "broomy" for me- I am lost on that one.

Broomy is a term my mentor uses. Because of the grain going in all different directions to give the figured appearance of the wood it makes it look a bit like straw very hard to get clean cuts that will sand, scrape or burnish down smooth.

[Goo]

Goo,

Beautiful pistol !  Also my favorite style and I love the maple stock.  Where is the trigger guard from ? Did you make that ?  And how long is the barrel ?

Thanks

I made the trigger guard & side plate, I plagerized that design from a german pistol.  I got permission to photograph it when I saw it for sale at a show in Indianapolis a few years ago.

[James Rogers]

Very impressive and attractive piece.

[hawkeye]

Very nice pistol build, looks really fine👍

[DHouse]

Very nice, really like the lockplate engraving as well. The ring on the bottom is really neat. Reminds me of sailors/pirates going into battle with multiple pistols tied to sashes that hung cross-body. Were they putting these rings on originals for this purpose as well?

[Daryl]

A lanyard ring on the bottom of the butt was normal on our martial revolvers, at least in the RCMP.
I suppose this is a long-lived "tradition", just for a lanyard around the shoulder. Best not to lose the
pistol/revolver whilst riding.

[davec2]

Goo,

If you ever have the time, I would love to see a tutorial on how you made the trigger guard.

Thanks !!

[Bob Roller]

Great craftsmanship and I wondered more than once about the too straight styles on these guns.The only way to hold them with comfort is by the barrel like the later "Old West"pistols .
Bob Roller

[Goo]

You have to align your two inside knuckles that are on the thumb side of your hand with the bones in your forearm in the same way some Asian martial arts teach to impact a punch so you don`t break your wrist on impact.

[Daryl]

They do take quite a 'cant' to the wrist to point well.

[Bob Gerard]

Goo- Thanks for clarifying "broomy" for me!
Looking at the long spurs of the butt cap- maybe it's the angle of the photo but the curve of the spurs don't appear to follow the curve of the handle. Is that the design?

[Austin]

Very nice!

[Goo]

Goo- Thanks for clarifying "broomy" for me!
Looking at the long spurs of the butt cap- maybe it's the angle of the photo but the curve of the spurs don't appear to follow the curve of the handle. Is that the design?

You Got me!! That was one of the things I had trouble with.  First thing is The grip and stock did not come from a precut blank I felt I should shape the thing so that it felt comfortable and have pleasing lines so I cut my own pattern.  Then I backslid and used a pre-cast spurred butt cap,,,,
i did bend the spurs and had difficulties there guessing and adjusting a few times, too many times and they might snap off.  Finally decided maybe it looked best with the tips at approx the same level as the pointed ends of the lock and side panels.