Its Done !

[Razor62]

Beautiful work Tim! You should be proud. Let us know how she shoots!

[mongrel]

She calls to mind a couple of early Allentown, Pennsylvania rifles, particularly one by a master named William Antes (#53 in Shumway's "Rifles Of Colonial America"). The Antes gun had a Lancaster-style patchbox and relief carving, but the overall lines of your stock profile and the hardware you chose are very, very similar. Usually, a person's first few efforts, even starting from a precarved stock, don't nail an original style quite so well, and I know you did a fair amount of wood removal and shaping between what I sold you and what you show us here -- but that Antes gun is what came immediately to my mind when I saw your first two pictures.

Needless to say, I like it a lot. Well done, extremely well done. 

[beowulf]

very nice  you did one heck of a job there !

[Tim Ault]

She calls to mind a couple of early Allentown, Pennsylvania rifles, particularly one by a master named William Antes (#53 in Shumway's "Rifles Of Colonial America"). The Antes gun had a Lancaster-style patchbox and relief carving, but the overall lines of your stock profile and the hardware you chose are very, very similar. Usually, a person's first few efforts, even starting from a precarved stock, don't nail an original style quite so well, and I know you did a fair amount of wood removal and shaping between what I sold you and what you show us here -- but that Antes gun is what came immediately to my mind when I saw your first two pictures.

Needless to say, I like it a lot. Well done, extremely well done. 

Thank you Sir,  I have to honestly admit though I wasn't really going for any particular style or specific school or maker  when I started hacking on it and thinking about hardware. I sorta just went with what looked pleasing go my eye and what felt comfortable when I closed my eyes and shouldered it . As to the hardware again I went with what I knew I could make and what the hammer and files produced . I surely know that my slightly modified Bedford style side plate don't belong on a Lancaster or another type of rifle but I liked the looks of it so thats what it got! Lol  again thanks everyone for the compliments . It seems like it's gonna shoot quite well last weekend I took it out to adjust the sights  and if by fate they were dead nuts on at 50 yds on my first shot never had to drift or file either front or rear ! I worked my way up from 45 gr of 3F to 60 gr and things were tightening up group wise that is till I forgot to put the powder in before the patch and ball!  Got the ole dry ball outa the way in it's maiden voyage to the range . Lol.   No misfires and very fast ignition . 

[Hanshi]

That's a handsome rifle.  I like that stock.  Fine work you did.

[Red Badger]

Very nice!  a fine creation and I'm sure she will be with you for a long, long time....  But it is now time for you to gently pack her in her finest swaddly cloth and ship her to me for proofing.... TMOC rule #1 Red Badger has to proof all firearms 

[Tim Ault]

Very nice!  a fine creation and I'm sure she will be with you for a long, long time....  But it is now time for you to gently pack her in her finest swaddly cloth and ship her to me for proofing.... TMOC rule #1 Red Badger has to proof all firearms 

LOL   Going from my last experience having a rifle shipped ,Im gonna have to counter offer and say if you ever feel the need to take a trip up to my neck of the woods ,feel free to stop in and you can shoot her all you want I have alot of ball and powder and beverages that I need help getting rid of .

[gunmaker]

I'd be cautious saying something like that Tim---You mite wake up to a yard full a pick up trucks, and a bunch a thirsty travelers !!!  nice job.  Show us a target soon.  ....Tom

[Tim Ault]

I'd be cautious saying something like that Tim---You mite wake up to a yard full a pick up trucks, and a bunch a thirsty travelers !!!  nice job.  Show us a target soon.  ....Tom

And it wouldn't bother me in the least ! Yards full of pick ups are a rather common sight around here 
   Had her out this morning and looks like 65 gr of 3F is the load I'm going with . Gonna work my way back down from 45 gr to see if I can find a nice economical plinking load now .  Shot about 30 shots today and didn't have to wipe the bore once just using spit patch . Things are looking good for a fun summer of shooting ...

[Tim Ault]

I'd be cautious saying something like that Tim---You mite wake up to a yard full a pick up trucks, and a bunch a thirsty travelers !!!  nice job.  Show us a target soon.  ....Tom

Here ya go Tom. 3 round groups ,Both are from 50 yds  .015 patch material and spit as lube first is 35 gr  second is 65 gr of 3F

[gunmaker]

mighty fine Tim, thanks fer sharing that target.