Almost done with the restoration that's not supposed to look like a restoration. Took everything off except the butt plate, nose piece and the wedge escutcheons. With all the screws out epoxied the stock back together with clamps. Epoxied the screws back in place. Coated all unfinished wood with a "wood hardener" that is used to repair decks. Even replaced the baling wire.
(https://i.postimg.cc/phkdJqB1/DSCN0140.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/phkdJqB1)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9zjPshBY/DSCN0111.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9zjPshBY)
(https://i.postimg.cc/06059ch2/DSCN0147.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/06059ch2)
(https://i.postimg.cc/k6MJGWdN/DSCN0143.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k6MJGWdN)
(https://i.postimg.cc/KK2vXdqH/DSCN0145.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KK2vXdqH)
More later.
Spent a lot of time on the lock. Wound up replacing the main spring, trigger spring, tumbler, and hammer. Replaced them from my meager supply of old ancient parts I have gathered over time. I have too many hours on the lock, but it now works.
Before;
(https://i.postimg.cc/QVp97K1p/DSCN0122.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QVp97K1p)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sG9MCbsn/DSCN0123.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sG9MCbsn)
After;
(https://i.postimg.cc/624c35Cc/DSCN0148.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/624c35Cc)
(https://i.postimg.cc/1gjMsNV4/DSCN0149.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1gjMsNV4)
The lock is being propped up by one of the excellent ball pouches I purchased from Linc awhile back. He does an incredible job on these.
And don't even think of giving me any guff over the screw holding the hammer on. It's just there while I am doing final fitting and tweaking on the lock.
Loookin' goood.
I'm not knowledgeable about museum wants and practices but why do they want it to look like it was still in such rough shape after your work on it? If that's what they wanted, why not leave it as it was?
Quote from: Patocazador on January 22, 2020, 03:37:42 PM
I'm not knowledgeable about museum wants and practices but why do they want it to look like it was still in such rough shape after your work on it? If that's what they wanted, why not leave it as it was?
That is a great question. And there is not a simple answer. From what little information I was given, this rifle has not been used for at least 120 years. so the repairs made to it were correct for the time it was used. There was some contention with the board as to whether or not it should be kept as an exhibit or not. (Remember I am in California where, to 85% of the population, guns are evil and should be eradicated from the state, and through revisionist history should be removed from our collective memory.) Much like cleaning up and repairing antiques destroys collector values, the museum wanted it to look like it did when it was being used, not how it looked when new. However, the museum is interactive, with hands on exhibits. Even though it will spend most of it's time in a display case, the historical society puts on several events every year where they do reenactments and demonstrations where the public gets to put their hands on different tools and artifacts from the displays. Being the only other firearm in the museum is one of three existing verified, London built, Colt 1849 pocket pistols, (that is in very bad shape and will not be able to be handled by the public) they figured this rifle will be very popular and it will wind up being handled a lot. So what I offered to do is make it structurally sound, with an operating trigger and hammer so that short of dropping it on the ground, it will not fall apart. The way it was, it was in danger of splitting in half just by picking it up wrong.
When I am done with it, given the incredible condition of the barrel, (I had it checked out by my gunsmith buddy) I would have no problem taking this out to a range and shooting it. The bore is in better shape than a few modern, in use muzzleloaders that I have seen. I might even take a video of firing it and give it to them when I give the rifle back to them, just for fun.
I might add that it weighs just under 11 pounds so they will have to be careful about who handles it.
I hope this makes sense.
It appears to be well on its way to looking like the well-used gun it was over a century ago. You sure have invested a lot of time, effort and skill for them to have a (handle-able) rifle. The work looks quite good as usual.
Linc does make some really neat stuff.
"Being the only other firearm in the museum is one of three existing verified, London built, Colt 1849 pocket pistols, (that is in very bad shape and will not be able to be handled by the public) they figured this rifle will be very popular and it will wind up being handled a lot. So what I offered to do is make it structurally sound, with an operating trigger and hammer so that short of dropping it on the ground, it will not fall apart. The way it was, it was in danger of splitting in half just by picking it up wrong."
Great explanation. Thanks.
PS: Glad I don't live in California. It's bad enough here. Fla. just started a deer reporting requirement that all kills have to be reported to a hotline within 24 hrs. of the kill. I killed an 8 pt. on a NWR. When I reported it, the person asked if the NWR was on private property. hdslp
Cause yourself to experience severe brain damage and you'll have your choice of high-level (any, in reality) jobs in government. flwa
Quote from: Hanshi on January 23, 2020, 07:14:21 PM
Cause yourself to experience severe brain damage and you'll have your choice of high-level (any, in reality) jobs in government. flwa
government officials cannot possibly have severe brain damage ! that would require having a brain ! ROFL ROFL ROFL
Just about finished. Stock is back together, barrel is clean, lock works perfectly, and it's all tightened up and ready to go back home. Had to do a lot of work on the lock to get it working correctly. That's a bunch of tedious metal shaping, but it was worth it. Getting the old nipple out was truly an adventure that I never want to do again. Long story and two broken screw extractors later, now if I had permission, I would load it up and fire it. Well at least I would if I could find the escutcheon and cross bolt that I somehow dropped somewhere and it bolted (pun intended) and is currently hiding from me.
A few more pictures;
(https://i.postimg.cc/JshGSTgq/DSCN0116.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JshGSTgq)
(https://i.postimg.cc/qz4txBxW/DSCN0119.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qz4txBxW)
(https://i.postimg.cc/LqYh8Jmg/DSCN0120.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LqYh8Jmg)
It is done! Taking it back up to the museum today. I am pleased with how well it went. Although it doesn't look much different than when I picked it up, it is solid and everything works, which is what I was aiming at. (pun intended)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bdTbk8hP/DSCN0156.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bdTbk8hP)
(https://i.postimg.cc/23mh1ygT/DSCN0159.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/23mh1ygT)
It is interesting that it is .52 caliber. With the deep rifling it must use PRBs. And at 11lbs, 4oz I would love to be able to shoot it. Maybe some day.
PS I found the lock bolt hiding under a leaf so I didn't have to make one.
Yes, it does still look like it's had a hard, rugged life of use and maybe abuse. BUT, it looks to me as if it's ready to get back in the ring and become a contender if not a champion. Good job!
It looks pretty good from a distance but up close it shows the hard life it had.
Quote from: Patocazador on January 29, 2020, 10:16:24 PM
It looks pretty good from a distance but up close it shows the hard life it had.
Me too ;D
Quote from: bmtshooter on January 30, 2020, 12:32:53 PM
Quote from: Patocazador on January 29, 2020, 10:16:24 PM
It looks pretty good from a distance but up close it shows the hard life it had.
Me too ;D
Well, I've always relied on my Hollywood good looks, AHEM! dntn
hotfxr Awesome Job ! [hmm] So did you feel the presence of the builder or the owners of the rifle guiding you?
You are now a part of that Rifles History,.. and you have helped allow it to continue to tell its story,... to those smart enough to listen, and study it...Well Done!!
Quote from: Watauga on January 31, 2020, 02:43:09 AM
hotfxr Awesome Job ! [hmm] So did you feel the presence of the builder or the owners of the rifle guiding you?
You are now a part of that Rifles History,.. and you have helped allow it to continue to tell its story,... to those smart enough to listen, and study it...Well Done!!
Thank you sir! And yes, it is somewhat alive (like Hanshi) not unlike one of the antique shotguns I wound up with. As you hold it in your hands it almost vibrates with stories to tell. I just hope with all the internal changes made I am keeping it's original spirit going.
Well it is back home. Yesterday I went up to the museum and handed it over, with an explanation of what I did to it. They were over the moon with how it turned out. Specifically that it now worked and looked just about the same as it did when it left with me. I wrote up and gave them a paper on what it is, where and when it was built, and all the specs I could find. Unless I get distracted and forget, I am going to make them up a possibles bag with all that stuff that is needed to make it go boom and shoot a ball out the front to be set out in the display. Of course given that this is a small local heritage museum, it won't be out permanently and who knows when it will be set up. Don't care, had fun repairing it.
A couple more pictures;
(https://i.postimg.cc/xN0zhpLB/DSCN0157.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xN0zhpLB)
(https://i.postimg.cc/47vc8RHz/DSCN0158.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/47vc8RHz)
I did work up some wood filler and took care of those gaps around the lock and the patch box, just in case anyone was wondering.
Now that the resto is done and gone it's back to work on both the .22 flintlock project, and if I can find all the pieces, the Haines build that I put away back when I decided to build the cannon.
Looks great; good job. Sadly it sounds as though it may scarcely see the light of day. I feel certain that when it was transferred into the museum's care, the previous owner intended for it to be enjoyed by the public. Keep an eye on it when the museum runs low on funds. It appears that they have no attachment to it, sentimental or otherwise.
Quote from: hotfxr on February 08, 2020, 06:52:40 AM
I am going to make them up a possibles bag with all that stuff that is needed to make it go boom and shoot a ball out the front to be set out in the display.
Are they going to let you be the one who shoots the ball for display?
[/quote]
Are they going to let you be the one who shoots the ball for display?
[/quote]
That would be the logical course to take; but since when do the "tyros" understand logic?
I'm still trying to talk them into letting dress up in my Lewis & Clark outfit and video me shooting it, but it's not looking promising. But, you never know, they could call me up one day and tell me to take it out and make smoke. Hey, even though it's California, it could happen. noway
Quote from: hotfxr on February 08, 2020, 09:21:15 PM
I'm still trying to talk them into letting dress up in my Lewis & Clark outfit and video me shooting it, but it's not looking promising. But, you never know, they could call me up one day and tell me to take it out and make smoke. Hey, even though it's California, it could happen. noway
Possible but not probable still means there is a chance so I'm hoping that someday you get to make it roar once more.
Good job
Rb