Now the work begins, Flintlock build

[Shovelbuck]

I'd been dragging my feet for way too long to build a long skinny flinter. Almost 30 years to be exact. I figured I'm not getting any younger so it's now or never. About 8 months ago I put the plan into effect and started trying to decide what type to build while saving mad money.:D
I had originally thought about a .32 cal. but the logical side of me felt it wasn't practical for me. I really wanted something that I could use for squirrels to Moose, and everything in between. So.............a .62 cal fowler it is! It can shoot shot for small game and turkeys, load her up with a .600 ball for deer or whatever.
I ordered the materials a few weeks ago and they arrived today.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/DCP_1111.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/image004.jpg
Parts......................
Maple stock
Large Siler lock
All steel furniture
42 inch tapered octagon to round barrel in .62 cal.


http://iowawhitetail.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=59&pictureid=1368
http://iowawhitetail.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=59&pictureid=1369

I'm not sure if I'll use the butt plate or side plate. The style of gun I am planning didn't have them. If they had a butt plate, it was usually a flat plate nailed on.

Regardless, this should be a fun project. I better get my chisels sharpened. They are going to see some heavy use for awhile.

[DannyBoy]

That's cool! Hope it turns out the way you want it.

[kurtish]

Sounds like a sweet utility gun! Hard to imagine using the same gun for turkeys as for moose! I'm excited to see how the build turns out.

[Shredder]

Nice...what will it do to a squirrel?

[Shovelbuck]

what will it do to a squirrel?

Being a cylinder bore 20 gauge, it will work great on small game with 6 or 8 shot, and a patched .600 ball will be devastating on large game out to around 50 yards.

[JakeWym]

http://www.runemasterstudios.com/graemlins/images/atthemovies.gif
This is going to be fun to watch...good luck.

[THA4]

Pretty cool Jay!

Looking forward to seeing your progress!

[PYBucks]

Jay, with all your talents this looks like an easy project. After reading the Bamboo arrow building post I was expecting you to start with a tree limb for the stock.

Tim

[blake]

http://iowawhitetail.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=60&pictureid=1240


I am looking forward to watching you build this flinter. You are going to take photos showing your building progress aren’t you?


http://muzzleloadingandmore.com/products/rifles/lyman_rifles/images/pawlinebrown.gif

[Shovelbuck]

You are going to take photos showing your building progress aren’t you?

Ron, I'll share a few pics as it progresses but it's not going to be a build along. There's several of those by highly talented builders on the web if a person wants to see them.
There's going to be several aspects of this gun that I've never done before so I for sure don't feel qualified to post a tutorial on how it's done.
It's going to be a learning experience for me.:way:

[Windwalker]

Looks fun ! Where did you order the kit from ??

[Shovelbuck]

Where did you order the kit from ??


Sitting Fox...................http://www.sittingfoxmuzzleloaders.com/intro.html

[JNRBRONC]

Sitting Fox...................http://www.sittingfoxmuzzleloaders.com/intro.html

Admit it Jay, you were shopping for Soap (http://www.sittingfoxmuzzleloaders.com/Free%20Gun%20Offer.htm) http://www.runemasterstudios.com/graemlins/images/blush.gif

I'm kind of looking for a similar project to do, though haven't decided exactly what. I can't wait to see the end results of your project.

[Shovelbuck]

It has been quite a few hours of quality time with chisels, and it's starting to look somewhat like a gun.:way:
After inletting the breechplug, tang, and 3 barrel lugs, I attacked the lock opening. Getting the lock plate to fit proper wasn't too hard of job. It is time consuming clearancing the internal parts. After that it was a simple job of inletting the trigger assembly.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/DCP_1114.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/DCP_1118.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/DCP_1120.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/DCP_1121.jpg

[Shovelbuck]

After 18 hours on the build so far, I can finally say it's starting to look more like a kit gun than a pile of parts. The ramrod channel is done and thimbles inlet, trigger guard inlet and fit, stock is shaped to the front of the lock panels, and the lock is drilled, tapped in place.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/shapingup.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/thimblesinlet.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/triggerguardfit.jpg

[deeraddict]

I aplaud(sp) your skill. I would have already ruined that stock and maybe a second and third one.......

[JakeWym]

Lookin good so far...can't wait to see more pics.

[Shoot2Kill]

I aplaud(sp) your skill. I would have already ruined that stock and maybe a second and third one.......


hahaha, ditto on that one without a doubt.

[Shovelbuck]

With 20 hours invested so far I feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel. :way:The entire stock is at final shape except for the where the butt plate will be and that job won't take long. I'm saving it for one of the last things since it will be nailed on and there's no need for it to be there for awhile yet.
A coworker is letting me borrow his drill press, and this weekend should see the tang bolt drilled and tapped along with barrel and trigger guard pins.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/shaped.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/shape.jpg

[Shovelbuck]

34 hours into the build and it's really starting to shape up.
Yesterday got the tang bolt drilled and tapped along with all the other holes for mounting pins. Started in with 60 grit sandpaper this morning and took it down to 320. Wiskered it twice and started with stain. Had to custom mix some stain for the final 2 coats and it is exactly the color I wanted. I'll let it cure for a day or so then start rubbing on the oil.:way:
The light spots on the wrist and forarm are intentional. This will give it a well worn original look.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/DCP_1140.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/DCP_1142.jpg


I'm still undecided about nailing on a buttplate. I'll probably make up a brass one and see how it looks.

[JakeWym]

It looks awesome. Well done.

[dominator]

that looks great. wish i had the skills to do that!

[blake]

http://iowawhitetail.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=60&pictureid=1240


Well done Jay, that firearm really turned out nice. You are a craftsman!


http://muzzleloadingandmore.com/products/rifles/lyman_rifles/images/pawlinebrown.gif

[JNRBRONC]

Flash hole?

Looks great so far! :way:

[Shovelbuck]

It's a far cry from being done Ron. I've got a lot of metal polishing and finishing yet.

Flash hole? That will be one of the last things to do.

[Skully]

What an heirloom that will be someday. Made with your own hands, treasures like that are few and far between Jay! Good work!!

[Shovelbuck]

After 46 hours I can say she's done.
I was just thinking how ironic and fitting it is to have finished a revolutionary period gun on the 4th of July.
It has been a fun and rewarding project and it turned out exactly how I hoped it would.
The antiqued gun metal gray finish on the metal parts turned out even better than I had hoped. Especially since it was my first attempt at it.
Supplies are ordered for shooting it and possibly next weekend I can get out and work up a load. Dove season isn't that far off.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/100_3211-Copy.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/100_3207-Copy.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/DCP_1149.jpg

[GotRack]

That is beautiful. Something to be very proud of.

[JakeWym]

Unreal...this has been another fun project to watch.

[Shovelbuck]

Thanks everyone.
I took it out for the first time today and what a shooter! 70 grains of 3f and 1 1/4 oz of number 6 pattern great at 20 yds which is enough for turkeys or anything else.
I've grown used to my other flintlocks, thinking they had great, fast locks and ignition. Was I ever wrong! This Siler lock is amazingly fast and it really sparks. There is NO DELAY when the trigger is pulled. Pull the trigger and it goes off. No "whoosh bang" at all.
I'm thinking now I may have to fit one of these locks to my .54 rifle. It needs the lock repaired anyway, and even when it's lock was new, it didn't hold a candle to this Siler.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/Shovelbuck/Guns/100_3208.jpg

[Rudd]

Awesome Jay, just awesome.