Ima gonna finish a build!

[AtlLaw]

Many years ago, in the infancy of my love for BP rifles, I decided to build my idea of a longrifle.  Actually a rifle to use for squirrel and turkey.
 
So I bought a 32 cal Green Mtn. barrel, a rough shaped curly Maple stock with the barrel and ramrod channels already inlet, and a small Durs Egg flintlock.
 
But I violated what I have come to believe is the first rule of such an enterprise.  I didn't have all the particulars of the finished rifle firmly in mind!
 
I talked to the late Bob Watts about my ideas for the rifle when I was attending a building class he was teaching, and he looked at me like I was a heretic!     Or maybe just plain ignorant!     So I waivered and waffled as I learned more about longrifles and finally put this one away and started over again from the beginning.
 
I have now decided to finish this project, albeit strictly as a vehicle to practice on.  Heck!  I gotta bunch of parts!  I might just as well make sumpin!   
 
I imagine the finished project will make the longrifle purist gag!   

[flintlock]

Bob was an interesting fellow... And he would speak his mind...
 
I moved to Atlanta in 1977, went to work for John Deere...I had grow up in northeast NC and use to go to Williamsburg and watch Wallace Gusler make fine flintlock rifles...I never liked the factory rifles made, just didn't look like the originals...
 
I walked into Bob's shop one Saturday morning when he was at Stone Mountain...It was like heaven...He had a .45 with a 42 inch barrel that he had made for a fellow and it didn't fit him...I'm 6ft 5 and Bob said it was made more for a fellow my height...He said, close your eyes, shoulder the gun and open your eyes...When I opened them, I was looking down the sights...
 
I gave him a $200 deposit to hold the gun and paid him another $250 the next month...After a few minutes of instructions I went to a range and proceeded to cut holes in a target at 50 yards...
 
Back in the 80s, I made a .54 for deer as we were getting bears up here in NC and I felt a .45 was a bit small...I rebarreled that stock with a .40 that I ordered from Ed Rayle...She still shoots good and I'm able to take head shots on squirrels...I also killed my first wild turkey with her in Virginia back in 1979 when she still had the .45 barrel on her...
 
Here she is....
 

[OldSchoolRanger]

AtlLaw,

Back around 1974 or 75, when I was a bit younger and had money to spend on frivolous things.   I decided to stop in a Herman's Sporting Goods Store.  While I was browsing around for a new basketball, I noticed that in addition to the regular rifles and shotguns, they had a rifle "kit".  That really piqued my curiosity.  It was a CVA 45 cal, flintlock rifle. 

I was a huge fan of Davy (Remember, Davy, Davy, Crockett, King of the wild frontier?) Crockett, when I was younger, so I decided to buy it.  I don't remember exactly how much it cost, but it couldn't have been more than $30 - $40. 

Anyway, I took it home, and started working on it, one thing or another always prevented me from completing it.  Then I got married, had kids, and moved two times over the years, now I can't find all the parts to the gun.    

I still know where the barrel, and stock are in my bedroom.  They're still sitting behind the antique oak roll-top desk, but I can't find the lock, trigger guard, and ramrod.  Your post just reminded my of my unfinished gun, parts unknown laying around, in the house.  Maybe one of these days, when I stumble upon the other parts, I'll seriously sit down and work on completing my "first" BP rifle.

[AtlLaw]

Here she is....
 

I've admired that rifle before (on another site  ).  Beautiful rifle.  The other site was where you posted the links to where you got the hunting shirt and ... leggings?     Those links aren't good anymore BTW!     I checked because I always wanted a colonial era hunting shirt...    But now that I think on it, Tandy is having a sale on deerskins so I can make my own!   
 

Back around 1974 or 75, ... a rifle "kit".  That really piqued my curiosity.  It was a CVA 45 cal, flintlock rifle.

What a coincidence!     Right around that time I bought 2 CVA percussion kits from MidSouth; one for me and one for my eldest boy.  We put them together and he killed his first deer with his.     That's what got me thinking of trying to actually build one!

I was a huge fan of Davy (Remember, Davy, Davy, Crockett,

Weren't we all!  Fess Parker was the MAN!      Everybody was running around with coonskin caps; the whole bit.
 

one of these days, when I stumble upon the other parts, I'll seriously sit down and work on completing my "first" BP rifle.

Shoot man!  Why wait!  A world of entertainment awaits!   

[AtlLaw]

I examined the parts I bought so long ago last night.  Not so strangely I can't remember what I was thinking the rifle would look like back then.     But, after careful and extended consideration (about a six pack's worth  ) I surmised it should be based (very loosely) on the Lancaster School of longrifles.
 
So, I have decided to finish this rifle using the creations of John Armstrong from Emmitsburg, Maryland as a guide.  His rifles are kinda first cousins to the Lancasters and he was a master at engraving and carving; things I want to try!   
 
Anyway, I think I have figured out how to upload pictures from my phone to my computer, so I hope I can make this project a little more interesting with pictures!     I'll start with fitting the breach plug in a bit. 

[flintlock]

It's a myth that the early longhunters ran around in leather clothes...They were much more likely to be in linen...These guys still supply clothing for reenactors... http://www.jas-townsend.com/
 
I have both the video of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone's episodes...My 4 year old grandson and I still enjoy them and he loves to shoot indians with his caplock...
 
Here we are after an afternoon of protecting Boonesborough from those pesky Shawanees...
 

[AtlLaw]

It's a myth that the early longhunters ran around in leather clothes...

I knew that...    But I can wear leather if I want to!     I'll just stay away from reenactments so the reenactor fashion police don't get me!! 
 

I have both the video of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone's episodes...

How cool is that!  I'd love to see the whole DC series again!  I'd pay a lot more attention to the accouterments!   
 

My 4 year old grandson and I still enjoy them and he loves to shoot Indians with his caplock...

Fine lookin boy!  You're a lucky man.  My Granbabies have no interest... 

[AtlLaw]

These guys still supply clothing for reenactors... http://www.jas-townsend.com/

I just spent some time on that site.  Pretty neat stuff!     And the prices ain't bad either!   
 
Ya know guys, I may kid about reenactors, but those who engage in that hobby take authenticity very seriously!  As such they are a rich source of information for just about everything concerning an era you may be interested in.
 
Me, it's the French and Indian War.  It has been ever since I saw the movie Northwest Passage where Spencer Tracy play Maj. Robert Rogers.  Shoot, I even went to the library and read the book!  But I can imagine the reception I'd get if I ever showed up at a F&I reenactment wearing the "uniform" the Rangers wore in that movie!   
 
I must have a little of the reenactor mentality myself or I wouldn't worry about this rifle not being very representative of anything!  But what the heck!     I'm just going to use it to practice building techniques!  If it turns out pretty in it's own right, all the better!   
 
I've been practicing with my camera and got a few pics to post.  I think I'll start a new thread for each task I undertake.