Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap

Member’s Work Bench => General Gunsmithing => Topic started by: mongrel on July 06, 2013

Title: Rugrat fowler
Post by: mongrel on July 06, 2013
Amidst all the adult orders, I finally got one for a kid's gun!

This is for a repeat customer, and is a 20-gauge smoothbore built around a commercially-made modern shotgun barrel, chopped down to 22" and laid in a curly maple fullstock. The lock is one of the better CVA flinters out of my inventory, and the steel hardware is very generic fowler/shotgun-style. Length of pull is a fairly wee 12 1/2".

(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/009_zpsd061e4f2.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/009_zpsd061e4f2.jpg.html)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/010_zps22d26bbe.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/010_zps22d26bbe.jpg.html)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/011_zpsa448d1d4.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/011_zpsa448d1d4.jpg.html)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/012_zpsa984ad89.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/012_zpsa984ad89.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: Hanshi on July 06, 2013
That one would fit me just fine, Mongrel.  There are a few advantages to being an old rugrat.
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: mongrel on July 08, 2013
Wood ready for finish, steel ready to be cleaned up, polished, and blued. This will be the last time the gun is together till it's done, probably near this upcoming weekend.

(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/001_zps4013854a.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/001_zps4013854a.jpg.html)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/002_zpsb96d3900.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/002_zpsb96d3900.jpg.html)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/003_zpsdac9dc87.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/003_zpsdac9dc87.jpg.html)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/004_zpsbde6ac15.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/004_zpsbde6ac15.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: gunmaker on July 08, 2013
That gun just screams "Lets go hunting !"   I like it, smooth clean lines on her.    ....Tom
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: mongrel on July 08, 2013
Fowlers to me have the cleanest lines of any muzzleloader. Oddly, this doesn't mean I prefer them, but when they're done right they have a graceful flow to them that no other pattern even approaches.

These small ones are harder, so far as getting the flow right. The one thing that can't be reduced on a 20-gauge or similar-bored gun is the mass of the breech, for safety reasons, and on a small gun that's a lot of bulk to be fit into the overall flow. This one and others like it look a bit humpbacked because of this, at least to my eye. But I sell every one I find time to make, and this is the second one ordered by the same customer, so maybe it's just me. I do prefer the looks of rifles, though.
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: mongrel on July 12, 2013
Stain and several coats of oil. I do love working with tung oil -- none of the drying issues of linseed, unless how FAST it dries is an issue.

(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/mongrel1776001/012_zpsbc8bfeda.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/mongrel1776001/012_zpsbc8bfeda.jpg.html)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/mongrel1776001/013_zpsde71d719.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/mongrel1776001/013_zpsde71d719.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: sweed on July 16, 2013
Mike
Beautiful finish on that stock! Question? Do you breach those modern barrels, or send them out? Just wondering [hmm].
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: mongrel on July 16, 2013
I do them myself. Once upon a time, men made do without mills and lathes, and though it's a lot more labor-intensive I follow in their footsteps.

Plus I can't afford and don't have any room for a mill or lathe, anyway....
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: Hawken50 on July 16, 2013
 thmbsup  Mikes got so good he can quick draw a file faster than Marshal Dillon.
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: beowulf on July 16, 2013
stock looks great  thmbsup cant wait to see the finished product !
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: Red Badger on July 17, 2013
Quote from: sweed on July 16, 2013
Mike
Beautiful finish on that stock! Question? Do you breach those modern barrels, or send them out? Just wondering [hmm].

Builders slang?  What are you talking about??? I am guessing installing the breach plug but ain't a builder so really don't know....
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: gunmaker on July 17, 2013
I know your on the road Mike, but how about telling us the weigh of this little 20 when you get 'er done.  Enquiring minds want to know.   ....Tom
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: Hanshi on July 17, 2013
I'm anxious to see the final pics of this little gem. prty
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: mongrel on July 19, 2013
Lots of oil on the wood, steel browned -- and this little guy is done. I was asked the total weight -- 3 1/4 pounds. Not a gun to be shooting with maximum loads!

(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/013_zps06fe68b1.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/013_zps06fe68b1.jpg.html)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/014_zps2e26ec1f.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/014_zps2e26ec1f.jpg.html)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/015_zps7fbf5522.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/015_zps7fbf5522.jpg.html)
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii122/mongrel1776/Number%20two/016_zps23f2ba6c.jpg) (http://s263.photobucket.com/user/mongrel1776/media/Number%20two/016_zps23f2ba6c.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: beowulf on July 19, 2013
simple but elegant  dntn and I like the fact that it weighs less than some pistols I`ve owned !
Title: Re: Rugrat fowler
Post by: Hawken50 on July 19, 2013
 dntn  Looks to be just what it should be. I love it.