Author Topic: Charlie's rifle (Read 3510 times)

Gaeckle · « **on:** May 25, 2022, 04:25:33 AM »

Just completed this for a friend that I have known for a long time. A 40 caliber squirrel rifle, the barrel is a hand rifled affair, not sure of the twist rate. Can't recall on whose machine this was rifled on. Charlie provided the barrel, lock and triggers. I supplied the rest. The butplate and trigger guard are antiques that were in great shape, that get a new lease on life. Hasn't been shot yet. Also in the works is a bag and a horn.

Daryl · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2022, 04:43:35 AM »

Very interesting rifle, thanks for showing us.

Panzerschwein · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2022, 05:25:33 AM »

It warms my heart to see more percussions demonstrated lately.

Some may claim the percussion guns have no soul and are not interesting or desirable.

Not so.

David Rase · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2022, 07:25:28 AM »

Quote from: Panzerschwein on May 25, 2022, 05:25:33 AM

It warms my heart to see more percussions demonstrated lately.

Some may claim the percussion guns have no soul and are not interesting or desirable.

Not so.

You were the first person I thought of when I saw this rifle. It is nicely done up.
David

duca · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2022, 01:39:29 PM »

Very nice!!

Goo · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2022, 02:19:21 PM »

It looks like those Mike Lea engraving classes paid off ! nice engraving.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2022, 02:56:42 PM »

A fine looking cap lock rifle and I wish it was mine.In the time frame I started in,the flintlock was seldom thought of and only when new
locks became available were there any rifles made with one.I started in 1951 and the first useful flintlock was made by Chet Shoults in
Lapeer Michigan in the late 1950's.I am well aware of a few like Wyatt Atkinson in Kentucky and Hacker Martin in Virginia made flintlock
rifles on order but they were never common and many former flintlock guns had been converted with a drum and nipple to percussion.
My favorite cap lock rifle has been the Whitmore target rifle made for General Grant after the "Civll"War.There are others like the Schuetzen Rifles and week long competitions that faded away when anything German fell out of favor and never came back after WW1 was over.
Today the cost of caps and scarcity in some areas might contribute to the use of the flintlock for those who want to shoot muzzle loading guns of any kind.Scarcity leads to gouging and a flintlock may be a way to enjoy black powder and accepting the challenge of the flintlock.
The English gun makers developed flint locks that were the epitome of spark fired ignition and they can be reproduced today so as long as a can of black powder is available we will be shooting.
Bob Roller

rtadams · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2022, 03:09:42 PM »

5-25-22

Gaeckle,

Would you provide the materials and method you used to stain, seal, and finish the stock on the 40 cal rifle. I really like the reddish brown color and finish on what looks like black walnut wood used for the stock.

Best Regards,

Robert

Gaeckle · « **Reply #8 on:** May 25, 2022, 03:32:43 PM »

Quote from: rtadams on May 25, 2022, 03:09:42 PM

5-25-22

Gaeckle,

Would you provide the materials and method you used to stain, seal, and finish the stock on the 40 cal rifle. I really like the reddish brown color and finish on what looks like black walnut wood used for the stock.

Best Regards,

Robert

Sure, this was an ordinary piece of walnut that had some white heartwood streaks on the left side by the panel. I applied a stain, Lancaster maple I believe, and let it set overnight. The next morning I buffed it with 0000 steel wool. Then the finish was applied. The finish started with a slather of Tru Oil, allowed to dry, then I carded it off with steel wool. Then I put on very (very thin) light Coates of Tru Coat, about 4 Coates over a weeks time. Between Coates it would be set outside in the sun. That's all I did, very simple. Whenever I work with walnut I stain it.

Gaeckle · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2022, 03:34:49 PM »

Quote from: Goo on May 25, 2022, 02:19:21 PM

It looks like those Mike Lea engraving classes paid off ! nice engraving.

Exactly! That is why I endorse Mike's classes and I think he is the best going.

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2022, 03:49:38 PM »

Good looking rifle Bud, looks like it fits right were it was built. Well done.

Tim

heinz · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2022, 04:24:56 PM »

Very nicely done. Nice NE Ohio rifle.

alyce-james · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2022, 06:09:26 PM »

Gaeckle. Sir. Good morning. I'm primarily a Flintlock shooter. However I have been shooting muzzleloaders since early 1970's, I'm no stranger to cap locks. Your rifle is a very high grade and fine looking rifle. Great work. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day. AJ.

Frozen Run · « **Reply #13 on:** May 25, 2022, 08:17:15 PM »

I didn't even like percussion guns all that much until I had a chance to handle one of John's halfstocks a while back. While his artistry comes across well in the pictures, what may be a little more difficult to discern is just how well they handle in real life. They are electric, in balance, just how fast and agile they are to aim, slick triggers and super fast ignition. You pick one up and you immediately want to go out and start blasting critters. While he has a deep appreciation for artistry, his guns are first and foremost tools and I think that is why he prefers the percussion lock so much?

While I still prefer flintlocks over percussion, I went from 95-5 in favor to something closer to 65-35 after handling one of John's guns. While the flintlock is cooler, there is a tremendous amount of beauty that can be found in functionality which is one of the reasons it is so disappointing to me that percussion reception is so comparatively apathetic.

wapiti22 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2022, 03:43:20 AM »

I really like that patchbox!!

David Veith · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2022, 07:47:28 AM »

Great job John a nice. Great memory of one eye Jack.

Gaeckle · « **Reply #16 on:** May 27, 2022, 01:20:53 PM »

Quote from: David Veith on May 27, 2022, 07:47:28 AM

Great job John a nice. Great memory of one eye Jack.

Thanks David. That's exactly why I put a dog on it.

VA HUNTER · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2022, 01:39:38 AM »

I am a big fan of small caliber cap locks rifles and really like your work on this one.

I have a cap lock squirrel rifle in restoration and have been thinking about a bag and horn to go with. Not sure where you are on your bag/horn but would you mind sharing any pics or ideas you might have?

Thanks,

Jeff

B.Barker · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2022, 04:18:37 AM »

Neat little rifle John. It looks like many old half stocks I've seen.

Stoner creek · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2022, 04:51:40 AM »

Done quite well in the Ohio tradition.

Gaeckle · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2022, 01:30:43 PM »

Quote from: VA HUNTER on July 12, 2022, 01:39:38 AM

I am a big fan of small caliber cap locks rifles and really like your work on this one.

I have a cap lock squirrel rifle in restoration and have been thinking about a bag and horn to go with. Not sure where you are on your bag/horn but would you mind sharing any pics or ideas you might have?

Thanks,

Jeff

The horn is being made by my friend Phil Campbell. Phil has the bag as well. The bag was purchased from a fellow on this site, can't remember the name, but the bag was well made

Gaeckle · « **Reply #21 on:** July 12, 2022, 01:37:22 PM »

Quote from: B.Barker on July 12, 2022, 04:18:37 AM

Neat little rifle John. It looks like many old half stocks I've seen.

Thanks Brian

Gaeckle · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2022, 01:37:55 PM »

Quote from: Stoner creek on July 12, 2022, 04:51:40 AM

Done quite well in the Ohio tradition.

Thanks Wayne

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #23 on:** July 12, 2022, 03:09:54 PM »

Its a grand rifle, one I could become friends with!

bama · « **Reply #24 on:** July 13, 2022, 06:09:18 PM »

Nicely done, thanks for sharing.

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Author Topic: Charlie's rifle (Read 3510 times)