Oh, Bull.... Come lookie here....

[mongrel]

Not a bad way to kick off a Sunday -- woke up actually feeling pretty decent and was able to wrap this up. This makes two of the three I promised for the "outdoor ministry". I might take a break before doing the last one, a halfstock very like the first one I showed but stocked for an adult and barrelled with a CVA "Stalker" tube with 1:32" twist (Bull said some of the adults and older kids wanted something that kicked -- they're gonna get it!).

This is a .50 fullstock built around an old Navy Arms "Kentuckian" barrel. Thing about this tube is, as Bull and I have discussed, it's only 13/16" in diameter -- mighty mighty slim for a .50. My recommendation to him was, roundballs only and powder charges of maybe 50 grains, tops. If anyone feels this is still a bit too stout, do feel free to chime in. The reason this barrel got used was, this rifle will be primarily for the use of munchkins, many of whom will never have fired a BP gun before. It's light enough it can be handled easily and with mild loads should provide years of fun. It can't be used as a deer rifle and was not built as such.

Barrel just shy of 35", length of pull a hair under 13 1/4", maple stock made from another of my chunks of old, plain, but FREE wood, finished with Old Towne Honey Gold stain and rubbed satin urethane. The crack on the righthand side of the butt is superficial and no threat to the integrity of the stock. Nor are the several worm holes you can just see, here and there. On this lock the only parts I didn't make were the stirruped tumbler and springs.

The barrel has been gone over with a soft polishing brush on one of my grinders. There is some surface pitting that, with the dull gray of the smooth areas, makes the metal look ancient. Kept clean and oiled and allowed to darken, in a short while the gun will look like an antique (well, not to an expert, but museum-quality isn't a factor here ;)). The other bits of steel have been fire-blued, my favorite way to finish screw heads, triggers, lockplates, etc.

All in all, if someone wants a "brand-shiny-new" gun, this ain't it, but I personally like the timeworn look.

The little fella serving as a washer for the lock bolt is a Pennsylvania "thistlefinch" or "distlefinch" depending on which source you quote. It's an eastern US farm bird that in old German folk art is a symbol of prosperity and all good things -- basically good luck, as the Pennsylvania Deutsch saw it. If the vague feel of paganism makes anyone uncomfortable, then it's a dove, and we all know what that stands for.

[Ironwood]

Mongrel,  You are the man!  The rifle sure looks great from where I'm sitting!

[RoaringBull]

THAT IS EXACTLY what I want the color of my flinter to be next year........


Mongrel, don't know what to say....thank you just doesn't seem to cut it....

[tom-h]

good grief  mongrel you sure have a way with firearms i would put the talent on this board up against any and to me the  marks and worm holes are beauty marks

[fd-ems-emt]

That looks really nice looking !!!!!!

[Mr Woodchuck]

Mongrel ya lil cuss   you be a fine builder indeed... kids will have to fight the Bull for use of the gun now ...
Badd Bull Badd ...
just kiddin Bull ...
lol

[RoaringBull]

I get ta shoot 'er first..............

[mongrel]

Technically that's not true. Test-firing is the gunsmith's privilege.

[RoaringBull]

Well, ok............

still gonna shoot it first, here............

[FrankG]

Nice rifle ya done there Mongrel !

[Chaffa Hosa]

That's a nice rifle and I like the blemishes and worm holes; lots of character in a few scars. I got's LOTS of character  ::)

[karwelis]

looks real nice!

[Ranger]

Awesome!

[hawkchucker]

thats nice
real nice

[mongrel]

THAT IS EXACTLY what I want the color of my flinter to be next year........


Mongrel, don't know what to say....thank you just doesn't seem to cut it....

On the contrary. "Thank you" cuts it fine.

When a person's appreciation is heartfelt, their thanks is the greatest reward I could get.

When a person insults, belittles, or patronizes me -- there ain't enough money on the whole globe to make it right.

You're welcome, friend.