Although i'm a longtime muzzleloader, i'm new to handmade or original traditional arms. All my rifles are production guns, and for 30 years i've shot my TC's with nary a complaint. I was recently swayed though, with the aquisition of my very first CVA, a newer model of the .50 Mountain rifle.
I bought this from a gentleman who had it willed to him, and said he thought it was unfired. I received it and although i found that yes it was unfired, it was also dinged up a bit, and the original varnish was peeling off. As it was a late model, it was blue and walnut rather than maple and brown. It felt wonderful to shoulder, compared to the beastly TC's and i loved the simple sights and design, it really was ugly though.
I stripped the barrel and lock, and got all the finish off the stock. I hadn't fired it yet but knew it would become my favorite rifle to date if i got it looking a bit more traditional. I used plumb brown on the steel and for two weeks recoated, rusted and carded the barrel, till i got the deep brown i was wanting. I left the lock and hammer in the white, to match the german silver trim on the rifle. The stock got a neat old hand done recipe of 1\3 equal parts of linseed, turp and beeswax. It came out fantastic.
I finally was able to fire my rifle just a week or so ago, for the first time after refinishing. I only had .495 roundballs and soon found that the bore was choked, and so tight i couldn't use even my thinnest patch. I ended up shooting naked roundball and while it wasn't what it'll be with .490 patched rb's, it still shot pretty darned well at the 40 yards i'd shot at. It shows a LOT of promise and the look and feel of the rifle now have me hooked on the more traditional styles of sidehammer, i love the rifle and already have another on the way, a .45 deercreek model.
Not a bad looking piece eh?
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z252/xxjonnyrebxx/20130516_180040.jpg) (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/xxjonnyrebxx/media/20130516_180040.jpg.html)
Very Nice! thmbsup
thmbsup NICE wood!
Very nice thmbsup
thmbsup Excellent. I Like the bright lock.
That's got a quite nice grain to it JohnnyReb, you did a good job refinishing all that. I hope she shoots as good as she looks.
Hey Guys Thanks so much! Was cool to see all those replies about that rifle, it really is pretty wood, i've read that only the last Mt Rifles made by CVA, as well as maybe the very 1st one, were walnut and all the rest were Maple. Mine was made in 89' and i think they ceased production in 90'+\-. Interesting to note that at some point, a compant bought out the remaining stock of parts and began boring their own barrels with machinery purchased from the defunct Douglas barrel company. This new company who continued offering the mountain rifle kits with their own barrel and CVA parts was called Deercreek. Recently they sold out, and now you can more or less build these guns with all parts available off Ebay, where those new but 30 year old parts are being auctioned off. The one in shipping now is one of these Deercreeks and i look real forward to getting it, but already i'm thinking it needs a fullstock dntn
Thanks William, it really does turn out great everytime i use that 3 part mix for stocks. That this stock has such nice grain is absolute luck, i didn't realize until after the redo just how nice it was, actually i was a bit saddened that it wasn't maple. Glad now that it is what it is.
Hawken i really debated over whether to brown the lock and hammer but am glad i left it alone. Will have to watch it for rust though probably. I will. Now i MIGHT trade it out for some nice case colors though... :)
Here, in comparison, is another CvA MountainRifle in a rocklock, this one is in need of refinishing rather badly, its an untouched 78 or 79' model kit version. Maple stock. With the right refinishing job this stock will look 1000 times better i'll bet. I found this one after the first, but have already traded it off .I'm saving flintlock for my old age. Really. bunkr
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z252/xxjonnyrebxx/20130514_142747.jpg) (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/xxjonnyrebxx/media/20130514_142747.jpg.html)
Those are mighty fine looking firesticks my friend, good job.
always liked the cva mountain rifles ! surprised that the newer rifle did`nt have the cap box on the stock ! but still a good find ! I had a big bore .54 cal with the maple stock ! nice rifle if you can find one at a good price ! and you did a nice job of restoring that old gun ! thmbsup
Those are very nice rifles. Walnut is even harder to come by than maple, it seems; and it costs more. I owned and hunted with an old, cheap CVA for many years. It shot very well, surprisingly well in fact. A nice, old Mountain Rifle passed through my hands, too.
Beowulf, i've read that only the Bigbores and the walnut stocked Mountain rifles were missing their patchbox. All others had em. The flintlocks was missing when i got it and i was surprised to find it(patchbox) was still very available online. Was gonna order one but the rifle traded fast.
Hanshi, the more i read about CVA's, even the ones with foreign parts, the more i like them. They are a bit more ornery outta the box than a TC but i kinda like that too as it makes you have to know your rifle and treat it a certain way. Gives a good reason to work on your stuff. Even better will be to own one you build yourself. Or in my less than talented hands, one someone builds for me ;D.
Tell you what, for a true evaluation, just send that old thing out to me and I will test it out and (eventually) return it with a full report. Just trying to help a fellow son of the south.
Thank you Brother ;D your offer is most appreciated and i completely believe that one day...i'd get it back blah
thouroughly tested too i'll bet :)
JR, you did a good job but dinged up and ugly before????? Most folks that saw it thought it was the best looking Mt. rifle they had ever seen and it still is. Hank
Well Hey Hank hdslp ROFL
Yeah i gotta say to my eye it was, but everythings to the eye of the beholder and i'm fussy about my guns. Wasn't any slight on you Sir, you said you'd send me an unfired Mt rifle and you did. Any 25 year old guns gonna show some age though. I just brought it back to like new and now i'll get to wear it in. Worked out perfect for me.Appreciate the compliment and agree, its the best looking Mt rifle short of custom that i've ever seen either. ;D
strpot, just pulling your chain, when you get some .490 balls I'd like to know how well it shoots, Hank
Quote from: Hank12 on May 19, 2013, 12:34:49 AM
strpot, just pulling your chain, when you get some .490 balls I'd like to know how well it shoots, Hank
I was hoping so pnic cause i sold my 58' remington and if you challenged me to a duel i'd halfta hide behind the horse trough or grab up the shotty :) I traded with necchi for a buncha .490's and am just waiting for the right time to step out back and make smoke. I believe the rifle will be very very accurate. Although you've probably seen em Hank, heres a picture of what it did at about 40 yards with 50-55gr T7 and a .495 bareball. Not great of course but not absolutely horrible either. Considering there was no patch i was actually pretty happy with it.
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z252/xxjonnyrebxx/20130508_202552.jpg) (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/xxjonnyrebxx/media/20130508_202552.jpg.html)
Guess i've gone a little Mt Rifle manic over the last month, just received my 3rd one yesterday, a .45 version. All i can say is that there were obviously many different versions of this rifle produced and they vary widely in materials used, even if they look similar. The .50 percussion is definitely the best of the bunch.. Nicer lock, nicer metalwork, fit, finish, wood, case colored screws and wedgepins, both of these other two rifles appear to be home finished kits, and use lesser components. I preciate this walnut stocked version more and more as i see other examples of CVA\ Deercreeks version. Indeed Hank, its a beauty. J
JR, that's amazing without a patch, bet it'll be a one holer with .490 and some goex 3F ( I shoot 60 grs.) never used T7 but always thought real black would shoot better than any of the subs. Hoping to see some targets soon. Hank
I can no longer get Black here, everyone refuses to carry it now on account of some law requiring special storage, or so i was told. I'm gonna have to mail order enough to get me through for awhile. Good advice and will make a difference i'm sure. Will post when i've shot it proper. J
Hey Jonnyreb there is supposed to be a Goex distributor about an hour from ya in Advance NC.
Might be worth a road trip. Couldnt find a price list online Prolly have to call em.
Parks and Son, Inc.
234 Bingham & Parks Road
Advance, NC 27006-9415
336-998-8182, Fax: 336-998-2696
Thank you SO much! I'd gladly drive an hour or two to pick up a keg. The shipping fees on the stuff would cover gas. Will see if i can find their website or will call them. I've missed shooting black, the smell and the easier swabbing. I hear most claim its more accurate than the subs and i believe it. Of the subs, T7 seems next best. I'll let you know how it works out.. dntn
Bubba, the gentleman who pointed me torward this forum, also traded me his .45 Mt Rifle. I sold the flinter but have the .45 all slicked up, looks nice and i hope to fire it this weekend.
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z252/xxjonnyrebxx/20130531_135328.jpg)
thmbsup
That is a pretty sight, but you got rid of the wrong one! Cappers: reliable, simple, ordinary, like bait fishing with a bobber on a pond, not really going to attract the cute chicks. Flinters: dashing, edgey, romantic, magical, like fly fishing on a wild uncharted river, Sean Connery will come to you for dating tips. Seriously though, nice looking piece. I have been trying to score a mountain rifle out here on the other side of the divide, but I keep just missing. Git your ammo and powder soon, I can't wait to see how your 45 shoots.
Thanks Guys, appreciate the comments but agree with you Hotfxr, i should NEVER have sold the flinter. I regretted it soon as i did it, on account of the early barrel, triggerguard, thimbles etc..in all reality i sold the wrong one.. . Still haven't shot the .45 Deercreek on account of a .45 underhammer and a early CVA .45 kentucky pistol that i traded into, they're responsible for me slackin on the Mt. Rifles. Will get it done soon though, very soon. J
JohnnyReb, That's a nice lookin' rifle for sure. Should serve you well in the woods this fall. hntr
Hey Thank Gunner! they really are great rifles, great balance and feel anyways and definitely one of my favorites. Can't wait for deer season! J