My first few builds...

[Razor62]

Here are my first two rifles. I've still got a lifetime of learning to do so I eagerly await your critiques and suggestions.

My first rifle was loosely based on a 1863 Springfield. I had purchased the barrel some 25 years ago from Numerich Arms Corp. along with a couple other barrels. I believe I paid $25.00 for this unused .45 cal. barrel. Originally it was destined to become a Springfield Stalker which was produced H&R back in the 70's. Because of the barrel's bolster I was pretty much limited to the type of lock that would mate up to it.

This is what the bolster looks like:


Here's what I started with. I did end up using a different buttplate. I settled on one from a Mini Fourteen:



Here's the finished rifle. I call her my Springfield Carbine. Certainly not period correct but that wasn't my objective either. I wanted a hunting rifle with sights that I can see with my aging eyes. You'll notice the cheekpiece on the "wrong" side. Damn Southpaws!!!!














My Second rifle was built around another one of the barrels that I purchased from Numerich Arms Corp. This one is a .58 cal with a fast ROT. I paid $30.00 for this barrel and it shoots better that I do. I decided to use the boxlock action by Pete Allen of the Allen Foundry Mfg Co. for this rifle. Most of the difficult work was done on this one with regard to stock shaping and lock geometry.

Here's what I started with:









Here's the finished rifle. A .58 Cal Boxlock:


















This winter's project will be a .50 cal. Underhammer based on another action by Pete Allen. I want this one to be my meat gun meaning that it'll be a somewhat modern muzzleloader with a 1:28" ROT, scope mounts and Monte Carlo style stock. This will be my "Go To" gun throughout the generous 30 day black powder deer season here in Rhode Island. If I'm fortunate enough to harvest a freezer full I'll put it away and handicap myself a little with one of the more "primative" rifles above.

Here's what she looks like thus far:
The Action:




Parts acquired...






Looking forward to sharing my progress on this project with the folks here. Also interested in any comments, criticisms or suggestions.

Thanks for looking.

[mongrel]

They look great. The wood on that boxlock is beautiful.

[gunmaker]

Man oh man,  Prime work friend.  You've got the "bug" looks like.  Welcome to the ranks.......Tom  P.S. only thing "wrong" with that carbine is it's not mine!

[texasranger]

nice work, welcome to the site.

[William]

Very nice work!

[Razor62]

Thank you all for your kind words.

[William]

Your work deserves compliments and about the only flaws I can see is the fit of the butt plate on your Springfield. It is evident on your next rifles that your inletting skills have improved greatly.  Even though it was brought out much later than what is considered to be the fur trade era, the Boxlock is one of my favorites and someday I would like to have one myself.  To me it just says "rugged durability" plus your choice of wood for the stock really makes it something special.  Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing with us.

[gunmaker]

Those box lock guns were popular in 70-80's marketed as "wesson" rifles, friends wife had one & I always liked the look of it.  I'm in process of getting parts together for an under hammer rifle as well.  Blue Grouse steel action Rayl 1:36 ROT .54 cal. bbl, walnut pistol grip stock.  For western deer & Elk hunting with long bullets....Tom   P.S. how is the trigger pull on that Allen under hammer ??

[Razor62]

Gunmaker, funny you should ask that..... The trigger is nothing short of superb!!!! I can honestly say that absolutely no tuning of this action is in my plans on this sucker. I don't own a trigger pull gauge but I'd guesstimate a pull of 2.5 - 3.5 lbs with absolutely no creep. Breaks clean and crisp like a glass rod. And yes, the Allen Boxlock is very similar to those Wesson actions of yesteryear.


A Note to our Admin. in case you're following this thread...:

I'd really like to start a thread chronicling my progress on this project but I'm concerned that it's not within the realm of " Traditional ". This rifle will be sort of a hybrid. Not a true reproduction of an old design and yet not a modern inline. I do plan on scoping it to take advantage of what I anticipate to be excellent accuracy and The stock design that I plan on incorporating is a 21st century design. If it's not acceptable to post my progress here I'll provide a link if permissible to another site where I'm also a member and where I will be posting my progress. Please advise.

Kevin (Razor)

[tacklebury]

Love em both.  Especially that boxlock.  I've nearly purchased that one a couple times.  May have to now on a future build, lol.

[Red Badger]

Gunmaker, funny you should ask that..... The trigger is nothing short of superb!!!! I can honestly say that absolutely no tuning of this action is in my plans on this sucker. I don't own a trigger pull gauge but I'd guesstimate a pull of 2.5 - 3.5 lbs with absolutely no creep. Breaks clean and crisp like a glass rod. And yes, the Allen Boxlock is very similar to those Wesson actions of yesteryear.


A Note to our Admin. in case you're following this thread...:

I'd really like to start a thread chronicling my progress on this project but I'm concerned that it's not within the realm of " Traditional ". This rifle will be sort of a hybrid. Not a true reproduction of an old design and yet not a modern inline. I do plan on scoping it to take advantage of what I anticipate to be excellent accuracy and The stock design that I plan on incorporating is a 21st century design. If it's not acceptable to post my progress here I'll provide a link if permissible to another site where I'm also a member and where I will be posting my progress. Please advise.

Kevin (Razor)

As far as I am concerned aslong as it is not an inline... and you post that it is not truely a traditional firearm I think an allowance can be made... especially if you modify the above posts where you moved the pictures in photobucket to fix the links or delete them....  

[Razor62]

Thank You Red Badger! I'll do that. I'll fix those links right away....

[Razor62]

Look For a new thread entitled " .50 Cal. Underhammer Build" to follow the progress of this latest rifle.

Thanks again Red Badger!

[Red Badger]

Look For a new thread entitled " .50 Cal. Underhammer Build" to follow the progress of this latest rifle.

Thanks again Red Badger!

No problem.... Now just look in the compitition area for my mailing address to send the bribe payment for allowing this....   

Just Kidding!

[beowulf]

thats some nice work ! agree with mongrel on that box lock stock heckofa piece of wood there , and I like the lining in the cap box on the springfiled ! lookin forward to seeing the underhammer being built