Author Topic: Jaeger Build  (Read 4870 times)

Offline Cotton1of2

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Jaeger Build
« on: September 11, 2023, 08:09:24 AM »
This is a Jaeger rifle that I’ve been working on for several months now. Getting near to done with the hardware installs. But so far the brass barrel has been Inlet, thank you Mr. Rase, lock plate installed, buttplate, trigger plate, thimbles and horn nose cap. Next up is trigger guard and side plate.

I hope to keep this thread updated with my progress.















« Last Edit: September 11, 2023, 08:44:18 AM by Cotton1of2 »

Offline dadybear1

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2023, 01:26:43 PM »
LOOKS LIKE A MASTERPIECE ,COTTON..  GREAT JOB SO FAR..  WHAT CALIBER, AND COULD YOU GET BETTER SHOT OF MUZZLE??  THANKS FOR PICS N UPDATE!!!

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2023, 06:24:32 PM »
LOOKS LIKE A MASTERPIECE ,COTTON..  GREAT JOB SO FAR..  WHAT CALIBER, AND COULD YOU GET BETTER SHOT OF MUZZLE??  THANKS FOR PICS N UPDATE!!!

Thank you, sir. It’s a .58 cal. and I assume you’re referring to the beautifully sculpted hardware. That was created by a master almost 280 years ago and cast for my use by Ron Scott. I just need to do it all justice :)



Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2023, 06:45:55 PM »
This looks like a great project. What lock and triggers are you using?

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2023, 07:01:12 PM »
This looks like a great project. What lock and triggers are you using?

Thank you, sir.

The lock is by Chris Laubach, used to be Firelocks llc. Triggers are a custom job that Ron Scott had made, don’t know the maker but they’re excellent quality.

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2023, 10:33:39 PM »
Here’s how I inlet parts, especially with complex perimeters.

With a good draft on the edges I attach the part with a screw if possible. Otherwise hold it in place and strike it with a mallet, leaving the black imprint of the part. I only remove the black as I inlet and only stab the edges once they’re defined. I do not precut the edges.








I use a selection of gouges and scrapers to inlet.











You can remove all black until it comes to the edges, I look for compressed and polished wood to remove. Taking off all black will leave gaps.






I repeat the process for the leading finial. I’ve cut off the tang as it was too short to use, I’ll add it back later.










Once I finish the inlet I drilled and tapped for a peice of all thread which I then forged one end flat and filed the threads off. I screwed this in and brazed in place.








I then drilled a pin hole which will hide under the lock and side plate.








Rinse and repeat on side plate :)





Offline Daryl

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2023, 03:07:52 AM »
VERY precise inletting. Well done.
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2023, 10:26:56 PM »
VERY precise inletting. Well done.

Gracias, Señor.

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2023, 10:52:02 PM »
It looks like things are progressing nicely. Nice documentation of your progress too.  ;)  :)

Offline Grischi

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2023, 11:09:28 PM »
I like jaeger rifles in general and this is going to get gorgeous. Hope I don't miss pictures of the finished rifle.

Christian

Offline Dave Willer

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2023, 10:18:47 PM »
Looking good Ryan!

Offline alacran

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #11 on: January 01, 2024, 12:43:45 PM »
Watching your progress. Very nice so far.
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.  Frederick Douglass

Offline smart dog

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #12 on: January 01, 2024, 03:58:45 PM »
Hi,
Your project looks great.  I admire you having the confidence to inlet your trigger guard and pin it with the stock still so square.  I find it useful to have some flexibility to change the profile, particularly the bottom, as I shape the stock from 2D to 3D. Anyway, wonderful work and keep posting.

dave 
"The main accomplishment of modern economics is to make astrology look good."

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #13 on: January 01, 2024, 08:47:27 PM »
I sincerely appreciate everyone’s kind words. I’m open to criticism as well. Smartdog, I appreciate your input and I’d be open to any suggestions you have. I respect and admire your work very much.

I inlet my trigger guard with the stock in the square based off previous experience with precarved stocks. I’m determined to leave it square until everything is inlet. It’s easier to hold the rifle and to gauge squareness of components. The belly is established based on the line from entry thimble to the toe and which are pre-established, and the visual relation between the belly and the top profile. I also have ideal wrist dimensions and established comb height to gauge from. This is just my technique.

Thanks again everyone, feedback is encouraging.

-Ryan

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #14 on: January 02, 2024, 12:31:44 AM »


Now that I have the side plate inlet, that’s all the superficial parts and now is when I choose to shape the stock. The side plate and lock are different sizes and each will have an appropriately sized panel even though they will be different by almost 3/4”. Original rifles exhibit this same feature and viewed from the top, are visibly different.









I use a gouge to get near depth on the lock plate and reduce it with a sanding block.



I found the a spokeshave is very useful for roughing most of the wood off. I found it interesting that the spokeshave helps create the typical features of a rifle stock. It’s almost as if the features are a product of the spokeshave.



I use guidelines for roughing, drawn at .120”, final height is .100”. Note to self: stay away from horn with the spokeshave, it does not cooperate and will tear out huge chunks!





I found these Dragon rasps from Stewmac to be very helpful although I’ve never use the French rasps. I like the width of the dragon although the half round side is a very large radius and not always as useful as a standard half round.













I’ll get to the internals eventually, kinda tedious :)

Thanks everyone and Happy New Year!

-Ryan

Offline Long Ears

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #15 on: January 02, 2024, 03:03:20 AM »
Cotton, I did not know this about the side panels being different in length on some original rifles. Out west we don't get to see many. Your work methods seem quite different than what I've seen demonstrated previously. Thank you for takeing the time do show your processes. Bob

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #16 on: January 04, 2024, 07:06:16 PM »
Started the sliding patch box. I cut a mortise to even depth and used a broken 3 square to gouge out the dovetails, finishing with the file. I rough trimmed a pine key and fitted it. This is a tapered key so it only locks up at the final push.














Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #17 on: January 04, 2024, 07:26:55 PM »
Well it looks as though your progressing nicely and precisely. Looking very nice. 👍

Offline smart dog

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #18 on: January 05, 2024, 08:07:57 PM »
Hi,
You are doing a fantastic job.  Please keep sharing!!

dave
"The main accomplishment of modern economics is to make astrology look good."

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #19 on: January 06, 2024, 07:57:00 PM »
I cut the buttplate dovetail yesterday. Used a hacksaw blade to chop down along each edge, jewelers saw to remove the bulk and a 3 square to finish up the dovetails. This made my first key loose so I made another, better this time.

Then I used a spade bit to hog out the compartment and mortise chisels to finish. Not sure how much time that really saved and now I have evidence of power tools in my stock.











pictures to put on facebook

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #20 on: January 10, 2024, 06:08:01 PM »
I made a mistake but it was fixable and a great experience. When I glued up the lid, I realized I had not flattened the stock enough to account for the width of the lid, doh! I had also set the lid too far forward and it did not meet the buttplate all the way across, double doh!

I disassembled the lid, destroying the key in the process, so here goes #3. I flattened the stock a bit more to allow the lid the be seated flush against the buttplate and proceeded to glue up again.




I used a set of leaf gauges as a template to draw my angles in each end of the rough key and connected them with a line across the top. I used a plane to get close and started fitting. I sanded off the shiny spots on each rail until it seated snugly. It’s super humid so I think I’m okay with a tight fit. In the summer it will loosen up.



I drew guidelines on the key, two perpendicular and one parallel center line. I placed the lid on top and transferred the lines so when I glue up, I can have a reasonably accurate placement.



Make sure they’re lined up and clamp, fingers crossed.



Much better this time. Now I’ll file it flush and install a brass cap and catch.



Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #21 on: January 10, 2024, 06:34:17 PM »
Nice recovery. Your work and the documentation of it is very nice too. Thanks for taking us along on this enjoyable ride.

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #22 on: January 21, 2024, 07:37:22 PM »




Finally mostly don’t with this. The latch part will be simple compared to the rest.

I moved on a started to relieve the wood around the mounts. I’m using a background relief tool made by Ron Scott.



« Last Edit: January 21, 2024, 08:06:38 PM by Cotton1of2 »

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #23 on: January 28, 2024, 02:13:39 AM »


I received a cast patchbox latch and promptly cracked it. I started another from 3/8” mild steel round bar. I forged a head and a flat for the screw, the rest was file work and bending.







I’d post a video but I’ll just have to say the sound of the lid sliding on and latching is very satisfying.

I apologize for the poor documentation and this was more challenging than I expected.

Offline Cotton1of2

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Re: Jaeger Build
« Reply #24 on: February 28, 2024, 10:30:49 AM »