Author Topic: 1760's Virginia Rifle  (Read 17791 times)

Offline tallbear

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1760's Virginia Rifle
« on: November 03, 2009, 09:11:53 PM »
I just finished this up over the week end.When I first saw this rifle a few years ago I really liked it.It was featured in one of Wallace Guslers Muzzle Blast articles(Jan 2003).Once I saw it in person I really wanted to build it,hope I did it justice it's a very cool rifle.Wallace dates it 1760-70 and made in Shenandoah County Va.It has a.54 cal Rayle barrel made  to original dimensions,Chambers lock,stained with aqua-fortis and finished with E.K.'s stinky oil.
As always all critiques are welcome.

Mitch











Offline Rolf

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2009, 09:19:26 PM »
Beautiful rifle. I like the way the simple elegant carving compliments the figure in the wood. How long is the barrel?

Best regards
Rolfkt

Offline tallbear

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2009, 09:22:34 PM »
Rolft
It's 43"

Mitch

J.D.

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2009, 09:37:47 PM »
Dang Mitch, that's nice. Real nice...but I don't see any evidence of bleach etching on the barrel.  ;D Just kidding.

I do like the finish on the barrel. Is it fire blued?

Nice work, real nice.

God bless

Offline KLMoors

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2009, 09:49:46 PM »
Wow, that's just gorgeous. I'm curious about the bluing too. Thanks for the pics.


Offline Brian

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2009, 10:06:01 PM »
Beautiful rifle!  And it sure looks like it would be a pleasure to hold and shoot.  Yummy!
"This is my word, and as such is beyond contestation"

Offline Dennis Glazener

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2009, 10:37:00 PM »
Love the profile and your work is great. Wonderful rifle with just the right amount of carving.
Dennis
"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend" - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Jim Kibler

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2009, 10:51:26 PM »
Looks good Mitch!  Your finish came out really nice to my eye.

Offline rich pierce

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2009, 11:26:50 PM »
I got to see/handle the original at a CLA show a few years ago and you really did it justice.  Very impressive.  Makes me want to be a Viginian.
Andover, Vermont

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2009, 11:51:08 PM »
Fabulous rifle Mitch.  Great workmanship and a wonderful design.  Tell me that it's charcoal blued, please.  And I commend you on your "as new" presentation.
D. Taylor Sapergia
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Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #10 on: November 04, 2009, 01:34:20 AM »
 Great rifle Mitch, nice work.

 Tim C.

J.D.

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #11 on: November 04, 2009, 01:55:27 AM »
I got to see/handle the original at a CLA show a few years ago and you really did it justice.  Very impressive.  Makes me want to be a Viginian.


Yes he sure did. I was fortunate to see and handle the original too. Interesting gun.

I also like the way Mitch made his as new.

Hmmm, a Viginian? is that something like a Vegan?   :o ;D

God bless

Offline tallbear

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #12 on: November 04, 2009, 02:03:46 AM »
Thanks guys for all the kind words.
Taylor wish I could say it was a charcoal blue.I gave serious thought to doing it that way but chickened out.It is my understanding that once charcoal bluing is done the barrel needs to be freshed out inside to remove the scale from the rifling.I may be wrong on this and it could merit another thread on the subject.

The barrel was browned with aqua-regia then boiled in water for a rust blue.It's something I've been wanting to try and am pleased with the results.I thought about heat bluing but wanted something more durable on a hunting rifle.

Mitch

Ionian

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #13 on: November 04, 2009, 04:51:31 AM »
Beautiful rifle.

Offline J. Talbert

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #14 on: November 04, 2009, 04:58:01 AM »
I've handled the original and I recognized yours right off.

Very nice work!

Great rifle,
Jeff
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eagle24

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #15 on: November 04, 2009, 05:03:52 AM »
Wow Mitch!  Absolutely gorgeous rifle.  I love the carving and your work is fantastic.  I know this is an insult to some, but that piece of wood really finished beautifully! 

ghchristian

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #16 on: November 04, 2009, 06:14:51 AM »
Mitch, that a very nice rifle! I really like the finish!!

Madcaster

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #17 on: November 04, 2009, 06:22:14 AM »
 A really beautiful job Sir!

Offline rsells

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #18 on: November 04, 2009, 08:35:29 AM »
Super work.  I really like the overall look of the piece.
                                                     Roger Sells

Offline Gene Carrell

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #19 on: November 04, 2009, 01:26:52 PM »
Beautiful rifle. Simple is better.
Gene

Offline Ben I. Voss

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #20 on: November 04, 2009, 03:57:33 PM »
Tallbear, beautiful rifle! I love those lines and i really like to see a pristine finish like that too. Only thing that bothers me is that it looks like it's laying on bricks - ouch!

Offline TPH

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #21 on: November 04, 2009, 04:11:32 PM »
That is a beautiful rifle Mitch.
T.P. Hern

Offline Acer Saccharum

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #22 on: November 04, 2009, 05:10:36 PM »
Oh, yummy, that is a nice sweet gun. great job, Mitch. Does it come to Lewisburg this Year? I hope so.
Tom
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Ramrod scrapers are all sold out.

Daryl

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #23 on: November 04, 2009, 05:53:37 PM »
Lovely, just lovely. What a Gal to have and to hold & shoot, of course.  ME to as Taylor's post - a new rifle, to me should look NEW. It's beautifully finished.

Offline Acer Saccharum

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Re: 1760's Virginia Rifle
« Reply #24 on: November 04, 2009, 06:01:39 PM »
Taylor and Daryl? I thought you were the same guy.  :o
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Ramrod scrapers are all sold out.