8 Bore Boxlock Muzzleloader

[CStolz338]

I just finished this rifle and shipped it off to it's new owner. This boxlock action made for a great canvas, it's flat and open on both side and the top is only slightly arched.







Any comments, critiques, or questions welcomed.

Thanks
Colin

[WVEngraver]

Colin,

That looks like a very finely crafted rifle. I'd like to see some closer photos of the wood ... particularly of the forend and escutcheon.

Excellent work.

[CStolz338]

Chris,
Thank You.
I am a better builder than a photographer, so these are as good as I've got. Hope they are clear enough to see what you are interested in.





The rifle has already been shipped to it's new owner, so I can't get any better photos unless my customer takes some.
As always any comments or critiques are welcome, how else am I to improve.

Colin

[Daniel Houwer]

I would not be surprised if there is not a lot to improve on.
Stunning!

[CStolz338]

Thank You, that's very kind. There's always room to improve though.

Colin

[WVEngraver]

Outstanding Colin!! Have you ever considered building a Carlos Gove Remington?

[CStolz338]

Chris,
Thank you again for the compliments. I only build Muzzleloaders these days, I gave up my FFL years ago, I got tired of the headaches and hassles of the BATFE. Once in a great while I can scrounge up enough time to work on a rifle for myself, but I've been building the same 404 Jeffrey Mauser 98 for 5 years now, so I'm not likely to get around to any other cartridge rifles for a while.
I wouldn't mind building a Rolling Block, ahh to dream of time and money.......

Colin

[WVEngraver]

I understand Colin. I have an antique Rolling Block #1 which, I've also been building for a while now , that is in desperate need of a Carlos Gove, Hawken style forend and stock. If you change your mind, let's talk sometime.

The wood and fitment on this 8 bore is absolutely wonderful. You accented to the work nicely with the engraving.

Chris

[Daniel Houwer]

There's always room to improve though.

Okay, that is true.
But since I know a litle to nothing of building such a rifle it looks top of the bill to me.
One thing, what would happen if you cut the stock with the grain the other way? Would it flow better with the contours of the gun?

Just a thought of a goldsmith.

Daniel

[CStolz338]

Originally Posted by Daniel Houwer

Okay, that is true.
But since I know a litle to nothing of building such a rifle it looks top of the bill to me.
One thing, what would happen if you cut the stock with the grain the other way? Would it flow better with the contours of the gun?

Just a thought of a goldsmith.

Daniel

Thank you again.
I think what you are referring to is the fiddleback (the dark streaks that run perpendicular to the length of the stock) if you look underneath of the fiddleback and quilting(the wavy lines that kinda blend in and out) you will see thin dark lines that run inline with the length of the gun, those thin faint lines are the actual grain and they run perfectly in a smooth arc that intersect the back of the action at nearly 90 degrees, presenting the strongest possible fit for the stock. This is true quartersawn lumber, the best thing to use for gun building(it comes at a price though).

I drew a black line that follow the grain on the picture above, if you look above and below the line and ignore the fiddleback just focus on the light and dark lines that run parallel to the one I drew you can see the grain. The truth is it's very hard to catch the true look of this wood because the light that reflects off the fiddleback and the quilting is really only seen by rotating the stock through the light, and the camera just can't catch it with a still shot.
Hope that helps.

Colin

[Daniel Houwer]

Thanks Colin,
That explains a lot! I know didly sh.. about wood and what you say make's perfect sence.
Just thought that the Fiddle back would maybe look better the other way around. But if the grain of the wood says otherwise, I am in

Daniel