17
SOLD
 < Prev   Next >

Gallery Index


***CLICK ON THE "Supersize" BUTTON UNDER EACH THUMBNAIL TO SEE AN ENLARGED PICTURE***


<Supersize>

<Supersize>

<Supersize>

<Supersize>

<Supersize>

<Supersize>

<Supersize>

<Supersize>

<Supersize>

<Supersize>

This rifle is made in the style of Melchoir Fordney of Lancaster circa the 1820's. I've never seen a dragon carved on the cheekpiece of a Fordney rifle, but it was not uncommon with the gunmakers of Lancaster at that time.

To avoid a glaring new look, the brass has been tarnished with a solution of nitrate of iron, ferric chloride, and selenium dioxide.  After staining and sealing, lamp black and a bit of varnish were applied to the low areas of the wood to further give things a mellow yet new look.  This was followed by eight coats of permalyn varnish, rubbed down between coats, with the final coat rubbed to a sheen to avoid a glossy look.  There are no rules as to how many coats to apply; as many as needed top fill the grain and give a continuous surface with hand rubbing in between.  The result is a thin, durable, fine violin-like finish with a slight sheen.  This is my typical finish. 

The lock is a Chambers Late Ketland, tuned and crisply finished, inside and out.  The lockplate and hammer lightly casehardened, refinished, and tarnished.

The swamped barrel is 44" long, 50 cal., 1 inch at the breach, .732 at the small, and .870 at the muzzle, held by four steel wedges. 

The nails in the checkered and fullered wrist are sterling silver as are the inlays and decorative additions to the patchbox head.

The front sight is made from folded and brazed silver sheet.

The rifle was made for a tall man and has a 14 1/2 inch pull and a cast off of 1 inch.