Early English Trade Gun Build / Finished 11/24/14

[woody]

Well now that the pistol build is finished I made some good progress on my next build today. This one is going to be based on a early trade gun, plain maple stock that I got from olflint, a Ken Netting 45 inch 20ga. tapered round barrel w/ a slight swamp, and a Chamber's unbridled Early Kettland lock. So far I've got the barrel lugs made and soldered on and inlet, the tang screw installed and the ram rod pipes installed This is going to be one light gun....only 4.8 lbs. at this stage. I'll be cutting and making the trigger guard and butt plate next. 

[Keb]

Have you considered painting it? They are quite a nice little gun. I've built 4 or 5 in 28 gauge & painted 2 of them. I have 3 more in the works, of which one will be a cherry stock painted marigold yellow. The other two may be red & blue but I'm still undecided on the colors.

[woody]

Have you considered painting it? They are quite a nice little gun. I've built 4 or 5 in 28 gauge & painted 2 of them. I have 3 more in the works, of which one will be a cherry stock painted marigold yellow. The other two may be red & blue but I'm still undecided on the colors.

Planning on a traditional stock stain....but you never know ....just have to wait to see how it turns out I guess. 

[gunmaker]

I painted this one after I found a bark inclusion in bottom of butt stock.  Had to splice a piece of wood sooo it got painted...not quite as pink as camera shows.    Still startles me when I see it.......Bumfords they were called and are documented at Williamsburg,VA....Tom

[woody]

I painted this one after I found a bark inclusion in bottom of butt stock.  Had to splice a piece of wood sooo it got painted...not quite as pink as camera shows.    Still startles me when I see it.......Bumfords they were called and are documented at Williamsburg,VA....Tom

................yep!......stain it is! 

[Keb]

Yikes!

[Hawken50]

  cool build Tom. If ya think this is loud ya aughta see the one used at Williamsburg,,,,, They were a baby blue...

[Keb]

I've seen the blue guns. I painted a trade rifle Colonial Blue milk paint. It was chalky until I rubbed some oil on it. It turned a greenish blue.
Here's a type G painted with red milk paint then waxed.

[woody]

 I finally got some shop time this afternoon and got the butt plate nails made and the plate installed and the lock plate set. Between all the crap that's been happening her I just haven't had the time to spend in the shop. Felt good to get back on it.

[c-wiseman]

Can anyone explain to me, or point me to a website that explains, how a "Type G" trade gun differs from other trade guns. I keep coming across the term, but looking at photos I don't notice much difference from other trade guns.

Thanks

chris

[woody]

Can anyone explain to me, or point me to a website that explains, how a "Type G" trade gun differs from other trade guns. I keep coming across the term, but looking at photos I don't notice much difference from other trade guns.

Thanks

chris

As I understand it the term "G"  comes from a classification name give to original parts found at different archeology digs by a author named Hamilton in a book on English trade guns he published in the 1950's. Though not used in the 1700's, the term type G has been adopted by most folks today as being one of, if not the earliest style of English trade guns in America.

[smr40cal.]

 Please don't paint it! Since its a plain maple stock I would use a Walnut stain on it, it will look a whole lot better.

[woody]

Please don't paint it! Since its a plain maple stock I would use a Walnut stain on it, it will look a whole lot better.

I'm with you on this one. I plan on staining it. It is based on a type G, not a copy of one.   
I haven't had little a lot of shop time lately but as soon as I get the trigger guard on, it will be time to start some rough stock shaping. I'll post photos when she's shaped out. 

[woody]

Well it's pretty much roughed out. I still need to make the side plate then it's on to the finish work.....she's 5.5 lbs. ...not bad for 45in. barreled .62 ca./ 20ga. !

[Papa]

Woody,
I like a light gun for both carrying and shooting but 5.5#, that thing is liable to kick the snot out of you with even a "fairly" stout load. My little half stock fowler comes in at about 6.5# with a 34" barrel.You must have a really light stock.
Mark