I thank all of you for your input last week on this project, I lost vision for it but after hearing the various thoughts I found what I needed to finish this gun. I started out wanting to copy a jaeger military carbine and the wood I had was only 6 inches by 1 7/8 by 44 inches. Here it is with the front octagon band and all other stuff done except for metal finishing. I ordered the Laurel mountain browning which I understand I can turn the metal to black. Puffs of white smoke will soon follow. For other novices like me I buy pieces of this and that for next to nothing and try to use what I can. That is how I got the barrel, lock and trigger. Mauser rear sling, butt plate ground to fit and cheap metal strap material for front band. Ordered a brass rod that will become the ram rod. I have very little money in this (the brass rod is most expensive thing ) and I learned a whole lot. Found the book waksupi suggested and now after much reading we go for the sacrilegious flinter!
nekshot