Author Topic: Finished a southern mountain rifle (Read 1704 times)

coopersdad · « **on:** July 20, 2025, 01:59:40 AM »

I've seen a lot of beautiful southern mountain rifles here and thought I'd give one a shot. Lots of folks here know far more than I about these, so please let me know what I should do better. The wood came from Tom Fornicola, the barrel is a Rice A weight Dickert in .32, lock is Chambers Late Ketland. Triggers are Davis, with the front trigger replaced with one I made. I got the buttplate from Tip Curtis some years ago. The triggerguard is made from two different guards - I liked the bow of one and the grip rail of the other, so cut em apart and joined them. Everything else was shop made. I didn't copy any one rifle, but took inspiration from Randal Pierce's book, southern rifle drawings by Ron Borron, and lots of photos from this site. Thanks for looking!

Bob Gerard · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2025, 02:05:13 AM »

I’m no expert, but to me… “BAM”; outa the park!!! Beautiful 😍

rich pierce · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2025, 02:08:05 AM »

Gotta be happy with that one! So nicely executed. Fit, finish, architecture.

wattlebuster · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2025, 02:09:15 AM »

I like it. Nice work

A.Merrill · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2025, 03:36:26 AM »

You do very nice work. Al

mountainman70 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2025, 03:05:37 PM »

I say Well done also.
I like Mr Randals book for reference when I build these sweet southern gals.
Great work, bro
Best regards
Dave F

reddogge · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2025, 04:05:31 PM »

Very nice, neat job and represents the style of rifle perfectly. I like the copper front sight. How's it shoot?

TommyG · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2025, 05:25:44 PM »

Wow!! That's nice. I'm no expert on Southern guns either, not even a novice, but I know great fit & finish when I see it. Wonderful job!

Robby · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2025, 07:48:16 PM »

Very nicely done, all of it, good eye!
Robby

coopersdad · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2025, 11:42:39 PM »

Thanks guys. It shoots well. I've only had a couple short sessions, my eyes are the limiting factor! The copper sight was an experiment. The silver and brass ones glow so bright in the sunlight I miss a lot, and always misplace my black marker. It. works well in the light and the shade on lighter targets, but wouldn't be very good on darker ones, for example a squirrel in a dense tree. But we don't have any here and my shooting is paper or trail walk type. Jury is still out I guess.

JTR · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2025, 11:59:21 PM »

That's a nice looking rifle and very nice workmanship!
John

Daryl · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2025, 07:13:30 AM »

Good job & well done.

Curtis · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2025, 09:11:29 AM »

Nice Job Mike!!! Can't find your splice on the trigger guard so GREAT WORK on that! Beautiful rifle good sir! In my limited experience, Tom Fornicola has some of the Very Best wood.

Curtis

P.S Nice eye concerning your engraving, BTW!!!

coopersdad · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2025, 06:51:42 PM »

Thanks Curtis! The splice is where the bow meets the grip rail, riveted and brass brazed. I thought that was how it would've originally been put together and it worked out OK.

mgbruch · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2025, 10:09:13 PM »

I like the southern guns too. Very good workmanship and architecture! Planning and execution, planning and execution!

Marcruger · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2025, 12:23:08 PM »

Beautiful work. I really appreciate that long tang. Very appealing finishes as well. Nicely done.

Tony N · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2025, 01:56:45 PM »

I really like this one! Love the finishes

David Rase · « **Reply #17 on:** August 01, 2025, 04:47:49 PM »

Very nice. Clean and tidy work.
David

coopersdad · « **Reply #18 on:** August 01, 2025, 05:01:03 PM »

Thanks! Stain was iron nitrate with some Laurel Mt Lancaster stain after blushing. This was my first try with Tried and True oil varnish, and I will use it again. I did just a bit of shading with bone black. I originally intended to brown the metal, but like the contrast of the gray so went with that. Just Super Blue rubbed back.

sevenhl · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2025, 04:35:09 PM »

Excellent job. Can you elaborate on the metal finishing? Super Blue rubbed back.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #20 on:** August 03, 2025, 05:01:07 PM »

Way better workmanship than anything that came out of any pre 1900 shop.The Chambers Late Ketland was one of my favorites for a custom mechanism when I was working.
Bob Roller

B.Barker · « **Reply #21 on:** August 03, 2025, 11:38:18 PM »

Good looking rifle. I like how you modified the trigger guard.

Daryl · « **Reply #22 on:** August 04, 2025, 12:04:17 AM »

Beautifle Mike. Well done. Really like your colour and finish.

coopersdad · « **Reply #23 on:** August 04, 2025, 03:33:26 AM »

Sevenhi, I degreased with acetone, then wiped on the blue with a patch. Once I had an even coat, rinsed with water and wiped it down with some gun oil, which darkens it some. Then use a gray Scotchbrite or oooo steel wool, maroon works but it's more aggressive, and remove bluing until you like it. If you leave some around non-wear areas it looks nice. If you take too much, just degrease and add more. As you handle it the bluing will wear, it isn't real robust.

This is the first Late Ketland I've used - it is FAST!

Austin · « **Reply #24 on:** August 04, 2025, 04:12:39 AM »

Really nice!

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Author Topic: Finished a southern mountain rifle (Read 1704 times)