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Post by mlrifleny on Sept 18, 2012 8:24:36 GMT -5
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Post by rossman40 on Sept 19, 2012 10:39:13 GMT -5
Pretty classy! I like the touch of stock engraving, really sets off the lines of the rifle. Is the ramrod natural wood or is that a burn hardening pattern?
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Post by mlrifleny on Sept 19, 2012 13:59:22 GMT -5
The ram rod is just a plain hard wood ramrod plank that I burned with a propane torch. I saw one made that way years ago and liked it so I have done it on everyone I have made through the years. Some like it and some don't I like it.
Jim
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Post by rossman40 on Sept 20, 2012 22:30:37 GMT -5
There is a process called fire hardening of wood. I seen it done by a old time rifle maker on a field trip when I was in school to a Abe Lincoln thing. Basicly you hold the wood close to a fire till it just starts to blacken. Something about the moisture comes out and the sap left in the wood crystallizes. Native Americans would do it to arrow shafts. You can also use heat to straighten the ramrod/shaft. Once you have it hardened and straight polish it down and put some oil/grease on it.
When I went in the Army they showed us a training film on booby traps. It showed the VC putting the punji sticks in a fire. One of our drill sergeants (a well decorated Vietnam vet) added they were doing that to make them easier to sharpen. I mentioned that they were probly doing that to harden the tips. Can’t remember how many push-ups that cost me.
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Post by mlrifleny on Sept 21, 2012 6:58:38 GMT -5
I have not heard that before. Thanks for the info, I just might have to try it.
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Post by rossman40 on Sept 21, 2012 8:24:44 GMT -5
This was at the New Salem park in Illinois back in the late 60s. I was hoping to see him work on a rifle but he spent all day on the ramrod.
If your into that era, plan you a vacation to Colonial Williamsburg, there was one of the top long rifle smiths in the country that used to work/donate time there in the "foundry" and you could watch him work and ask questions. Supposedly one of the guns from that shop goes for over $10k and there is like a waiting list for 5 years.
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Post by davejames on Sept 21, 2012 13:40:50 GMT -5
1st post after reading some, but I must say,that as far as the pics go that rifle looks as fine as a few turned out by a friend of mine who is a former Williamsburg smith, very nice.
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Post by muznut on Sept 21, 2012 16:40:28 GMT -5
Very nice looking rifle,You do good work. And Rossman I got a kick out of your push up story. ;D
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Post by jims on Sept 23, 2012 13:48:46 GMT -5
A fine looking rifle.
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Post by rick59 on Sept 29, 2012 22:43:03 GMT -5
Very nice looking!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 19:48:15 GMT -5
very nice, I love to see good craftsmanship and this is first rate...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 22:07:42 GMT -5
Very nice...and thanks for the history lesson Rossman...
Greenhorn
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Post by rossman40 on Oct 2, 2012 8:57:55 GMT -5
I think what is really cool is when you get into the different styles of early American longrifles. A lot of people think Pennsylvania or Kentucky but Virgina, the Carolinas and even Tennessee rifles had their individual styles.
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Post by mlrifleny on Oct 3, 2012 7:53:02 GMT -5
rossman, you are so correct. Longrifles were built in so many of the early colony's and had there own style. Styles were even different going from township to neighboring townships. Most of what I have made are loosely based on early Lancaster.
This is a great board, I just wish it had more of the traditional rifles covered.
Jim
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Post by archie on May 18, 2013 9:55:04 GMT -5
She is perfectly lovely. have you named her (or him) yet?
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