Author Topic: First Plank-Built Long Gun  (Read 1803 times)

Offline JBulitz

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First Plank-Built Long Gun
« on: September 18, 2024, 03:16:49 AM »
After over a year of careful work, I wanted to share my first scratch-built long gun.  I wanted to create an impression of a fine early gun that would challenge me to carve in relief and engrave.  I took lots of inspiration from contemporary examples- quite a bit from Bob Harn's work, and a little from Stephen Davis's early southern guns.  It's not without mistakes, but it was a lot of fun and I learned a lot!
Thanks to Allen Martin for the perfect sugar maple stick, and to Mitch Yates for passing along the barrel (42" D-weight Rice, swamped in .54). Lock is a Davis Twigg, sideplate and patchbox are shop-made.
Thanks for looking.












Uva Uvam Vivendo Varia Fit... it's a motto, it says itself

Offline rich pierce

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2024, 03:22:04 AM »
You picked some great inspiration and it looks like a fine build. Nice engraving and carving.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Mattox Forge

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2024, 03:27:29 AM »
Well done!

Mike

Offline AZshot

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2024, 03:33:39 AM »
Wow, what a great rifle and legacy item.

Offline recurve

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2024, 03:40:08 AM »
great color and curl what did you use?
ps I got a gr8 stick from allen M and a getz barrel from Mitch



almost ready for stain and finish these are old photos  before I started the build, not nearly as nice/neat as your rifle
« Last Edit: September 18, 2024, 03:43:37 AM by recurve »

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2024, 04:20:38 AM »
👌Looks nice

Offline JBulitz

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2024, 04:30:14 AM »
great color and curl what did you use?
ps I got a gr8 stick from allen M and a getz barrel from Mitch

Recurve, I used the "Ye Colonial" brand aqua fortis, sold by Wahkon Bay Outfitting Co.  I experimented with lots of stains and ultimately this gave me the richest color.  I read that it's a more aggressive Aqua Fortis formula (has hydrochloric in it) so I was sure to neutralize with baking soda slurry.
Uva Uvam Vivendo Varia Fit... it's a motto, it says itself

Online flatsguide

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2024, 06:46:50 AM »
Nice work!
Richard

Offline alacran

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2024, 02:28:55 PM »
Very nice rifle, great wood to metal fit.
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.  Frederick Douglass

Offline Steeltrap

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #9 on: September 18, 2024, 08:45:49 PM »
That is truly a fine piece of work! Congratulations !!

Offline Bob Gerard

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2024, 03:31:37 AM »
WOW. You have to be extremely proud of yourself for this accomplishment! That sir is a beautiful rifle and work of art.
I could enjoy just looking at it all day long 🙂

Offline JBulitz

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #11 on: September 19, 2024, 05:09:50 AM »
Thanks so much everyone for the kind compliments!  I am proud of it, but not too proud to let it keep me from building more and asking for advice along the way.
Uva Uvam Vivendo Varia Fit... it's a motto, it says itself

Offline TommyG

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #12 on: September 19, 2024, 05:17:17 AM »
Very pleasing looking gun with great execution.  You have some wonderful engraving skills as well.

Offline wattlebuster

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #13 on: September 19, 2024, 03:12:16 PM »
You got skills. Now build another one
Nothing beats the feel of a handmade southern iron mounted flintlock on a cold frosty morning

Offline Mick C

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2024, 04:37:23 PM »
Outstanding work!!  I too, look forward to seeing your next.  Amazing!
My profile picture is my beloved K9 best friend and soulmate, Buster Brown, who passed away in 2018.  I miss you buddy!

Offline 577SXS

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #15 on: September 20, 2024, 04:57:01 PM »
Well done!

Offline Dphariss

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #16 on: September 20, 2024, 05:22:14 PM »
Very nice.
He who dares not offend cannot be honest. Thomas Paine

Offline Snakeman

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #17 on: November 05, 2024, 05:12:38 AM »
Wow. I'm new here and that's very inspiring

Online mikeyfirelock

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #18 on: November 05, 2024, 03:48:25 PM »
Very nice !   ( my first gun looked like I’d built it in the backyard in the dark……now they look like I build in the daytime)………keep it up. Looking forward to seeing more of your work!
Mikeyfirelock
Mike Mullins

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #19 on: November 05, 2024, 04:46:32 PM »
OUTSTANDING workmanship.My first one looked like a dug up from a Civil War battlefield.
Bob Roller
 

Offline Daniel Coats

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #20 on: November 05, 2024, 06:08:02 PM »
Case in point for how much it helps to know what they've supposed to look like before starting work and then referring back as needed. God given talent speaks for itself.

Amazing!
Dan

"Ain't no nipples on a man's rifle"

Offline MeliusCreekTrapper

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #21 on: November 05, 2024, 06:25:21 PM »
I got to see this rifle in real life last week. Absolutely beautiful. Every inch is a joy to look at.
JBulitz is a friend of mine, and his talent is amazing. He's young too, with a bright future ahead of him.

Offline CooleyS

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #22 on: November 05, 2024, 07:50:14 PM »
Nice work! Your engraving and carving might be challenging you, but it looks like you are up to the task!

-Steve

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #23 on: November 05, 2024, 08:16:19 PM »
Exceptional workmanship for your first plank built.  I look forward to seeing more of your work.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline oldtravler61

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Re: First Plank-Built Long Gun
« Reply #24 on: November 06, 2024, 02:22:54 AM »
  Excellent work..!