Birth of a flinter

[waksupi]

Another new flinter birthed.
I finished up a rifle today, that I have built on spec. I won't try to peddle it here, you guys ain't got no money!
I got some wood from Sweetpea this past winter.

Anyway, I wanted to re-stock my trade gun, which I still haven't got around to. One thing that held me up from that project, was this piece of wood.
I kinda looked it over a bit when I got it, sat it down for a few days, and would look at it again. Then I would whittle on a corner a bit, looking at the wood, and checking the hardness.
I finally decided, nope, this needs to go on something a little better than a trade gun.
So, starting from the plank, I whittled this out. I hand swamped the barrel, made nose cap, toe plate, patch box. I kept track of the hours, 103 involved in this project. If you haven't built 100+ long guns, triple this time minimum if you plan on doing something similar. I know the short cuts!
Anyhow, this is what came out of that chuck of walnut.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/waksupi/P1010002_zpsaf359c00.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/waksupi/media/P1010002_zpsaf359c00.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/waksupi/P1010005_zps8d68e5bc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/waksupi/media/P1010005_zps8d68e5bc.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/waksupi/P1010008_zpsdbcbfff5.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/waksupi/media/P1010008_zpsdbcbfff5.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/waksupi/P1010011_zps321ba5af.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/waksupi/media/P1010011_zps321ba5af.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/waksupi/P1010012_zps458fe111.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/waksupi/media/P1010012_zps458fe111.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/waksupi/P1010014_zpsb4417b80.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/waksupi/media/P1010014_zpsb4417b80.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/waksupi/P1010009_zpsbce47d54.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/waksupi/media/P1010009_zpsbce47d54.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/waksupi/P1010007_zps5fd82afa.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/waksupi/media/P1010007_zps5fd82afa.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/waksupi/P1010004_zpse65564ac.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/waksupi/media/P1010004_zpse65564ac.jpg.html)

[MBTcustom]

Very nice. It's a thing of beauty.
MLers are the pinnacle of a gunsmiths abilities IMHO.
The lines flow very nicely, and the inlay is really something!
What do you got in her? bout 9 months?

I gotta ask, what did you use to finish the barrel? Love the color.

[waksupi]

103 hours, stretched over the past 2 1/2 months.

I used Plum Brown. I very seldom use it, usually opting for slow rust browning. However, I have too much work to get done, and kind of wanted it away from the work bench. Fortunately, it sounds like a neighbor may be interested in buying it.

[dikman]

Very nice indeed, a thing of beauty. Just one small point - can it shoot? :bigsmyl2:

[Rattus58]

Another new flinter birthed.
I finished up a rifle today, that I have built on spec. I won't try to peddle it here, you guys ain't got no money!
I got some wood from Sweetpea this past winter.

Anyway, I wanted to re-stock my trade gun, which I still haven't got around to. One thing that held me up from that project, was this piece of wood.
I kinda looked it over a bit when I got it, sat it down for a few days, and would look at it again. Then I would whittle on a corner a bit, looking at the wood, and checking the hardness.
I finally decided, nope, this needs to go on something a little better than a trade gun.
So, starting from the plank, I whittled this out. I hand swamped the barrel, made nose cap, toe plate, patch box. I kept track of the hours, 103 involved in this project. If you haven't built 100+ long guns, triple this time minimum if you plan on doing something similar. I know the short cuts!
Anyhow, this is what came out of that chuck of walnut.


I'm impressed... your patience is that of Job... :D You blend your carvings extremely well. And you took this from a plank.... what an impressive accomplishment. I'm just finishing up converting an old Thompson center renegade stock to flintlock in .54 caliber. I'm a 58 caliber nut but couldn't find a 58 caliber barrel at the time I bought them several years ago. Nothing like yours... half my inletting is bedding material and a press fit..... :grin:

[Beagle333]

Very impressive!!! That's sure a beauty. :holysheep

[Sasquatch-1]

Just out of curiosity, what price tag do you put on a piece like that? It is gorgeous.

[725]

Stunning

[OverMax]

Handsome rifle. See allot of patients & attention to detail on this one. If I may ask Sir. Curious as to who's Lock you chose to use?

[waksupi]

Just out of curiosity, what price tag do you put on a piece like that? It is gorgeous.

I'm looking at $3400. My neighbor is interested in it, so hopefully it is sold already. I had forgot he told me last winter he wanted one of my rifles, and he likes this one.

I used a Chambers lock on this again. As long as they are available, that is all I will use when doing builds like this.

[Pb2au]

what a beauty....... Thank you for sharing your work sir.
I have contacted the Chief Financial Officer of the PB2AU corporation, but I do not expect a favorable response to the request....
All joking aside, that price seems fair. It boils down to around 34$ an hour. I would have expected a bit higher number for such quality work.
I hope your neighbor goes for it, because that is a deal.

[gnoahhh]

Very nice indeed. I especially like the trigger guard design. Is it a proprietary one of yours or an off the shelf casting? When you say you hand-swamped the barrel I'm assuming you tediously draw filed the cambers onto the flats? A sliding patch box cover enhanced with brass isn't something you see every day either. Well done!

[waksupi]

Very nice indeed. I especially like the trigger guard design. Is it a proprietary one of yours or an off the shelf casting? When you say you hand-swamped the barrel I'm assuming you tediously draw filed the cambers onto the flats? A sliding patch box cover enhanced with brass isn't something you see every day either. Well done!

The trigger guard is off the shelf, with minor alterations. And yes, I did the swamping by hand, by roughing it out to measured distances and depth with a grinder, then draw filed to finished shape.

[Dean D.]

All joking aside, that price seems fair. It boils down to around 34$ an hour. I

Only if you don't subtract the cost of materials....so the hourly would be much lower. ;)

[waksupi]

Starting to think I should raise the price......

[smoked turkey]

That is absolutely the pinnacle of the ML gun making art. It is not only a thing of beauty, it is functional as well. It will provide someone with a lifetime of service.

[SSGOldfart]

sweet plum brown looking good:holysheep

[nhrifle]

It's amazing what you can find in a piece of nice walnut when you remove what isn't supposed to be there. That is beyond beautiful and your attention to detail is evident. I would like to see what you could do with an original Sharps or Rolling Block action.

[Fly]

You dam show off (wink).Man that is a sweet rifle.I love seeing the talent the abounds on this form.

Fly

[ncmn]

This is awesome, I have been looking to buy my first kit to build a traditional long rifle and this is truly a work of art. I sure wish you could pick up a student :grin: I did not realize this forum had builders on here, so this is a nice surprise. Do you have a website?

[doc1876]

I would love to take lessons from you on inletting, that patch box is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

[waksupi]

This is awesome, I have been looking to buy my first kit to build a traditional long rifle and this is truly a work of art. I sure wish you could pick up a student :grin: I did not realize this forum had builders on here, so this is a nice surprise. Do you have a website?

No website. You can find other flint rifles, fowlers, pistols, and modern rifles I have done by searching through these pages.

Doc, I inlet differently than most builders apparently. I read on the American Longrifle Forums about guys making special chisels with special curves and angles. Not me. I use an Exacto knife, a skew chisel, one straight, and a 1/4" curved for the whole operation, for both plate and wire inlays. I have done a lot of inlay work, and can do it fast.

[Boaz]

Very nice rifle ! Great work .

[a.squibload]

I was gonna say we'll check the museums for a missing rifle BUT
it looks too good to be an old one. Nice work!
Want me to test it for ya?

[Ajax]

Amazing as usual Ric.

Andy

[DR Owl Creek]

I'm looking at $3400. My neighbor is interested in it, so hopefully it is sold already. I had forgot he told me last winter he wanted one of my rifles, and he likes this one.

I used a Chambers lock on this again. As long as they are available, that is all I will use when doing builds like this.


That's a beautiful rifle! You are a true craftsman!

Don't sell yourself short on the price for a fine rifle like that. There used to be a place near me called Golden Age Arms. They had a number of really nice rifles, some they made and some that were in on consignment. Even 15 or more years ago, they had rifles that were no nicer than yours, and they were asking $3,500.00 to $4,000.00 for them.

Dave

[dondiego]

Stay out of this Dave! I was gonna make an offer!

[gon2shoot]

She's purty ric, I particularly like how you covered up all them gouges and scratches with the chrome. :kidding:

[mazo kid]

Ric, is that the plank you got from me? If so, I sure didn't know that rifle was hiding in there! Was there enough left for another gun? Very nice work, as usual.

[waksupi]

I determined that I still have your blank. Still pondering what to do with it. I always hate to use good wood on a utility type gun. I'm sure it will develop into something this winter!

[heelerau]

Mate, a lovely rifle, Early Lancaster style? I do love the way the early rifles handle, don't much like the later crescent but plate. I have an early iron mounted Lancaster with 44inch Collerain double taper barrel, Jim Chambers lock, damn they are a fine sparker, but a cherry wood stock. Love the walnut and you're detail, carving and wire inlay. Could do with a neighbour like you down under !!! What bore is she?

cheers
Heelerau

[waksupi]

This is a .50. I don't really follow a particular style, unless a customer asks for it. I just take away wood, until it looks like a rifle!


Mate, a lovely rifle, Early Lancaster style? I do love the way the early rifles handle, don't much like the later crescent but plate. I have an early iron mounted Lancaster with 44inch Collerain double taper barrel, Jim Chambers lock, damn they are a fine sparker, but a cherry wood stock. Love the walnut and you're detail, carving and wire inlay. Could do with a neighbour like you down under !!! What bore is she?

cheers
Heelerau

[buckweet]

simply awsome :)

[nekshot]

just saw this post, and all I can say is awsesome! A true piece of art. You should loan one of your builds out to the Bass Pro NRA museum!

[Hanshi]

Why in the world did you post those pics when you are well aware that: 1. we are all broke. 2. and we will all drool and dream about it. Shame on you and your cold heart.

[garbear]

I love seeing your work. Maybe after most of the kids leave I'll have to get me a project. Thanks for the pics. Maybe we need a sticky of all your pics.