An "Antique" Finish

 One of the interesting aspects of building modern flintlocks is the ability to give it an "antique" finish.  By using a series of stains and finishes, the gun can be given a look that approximates an original rifle from two or three hundred years ago.  It is a fun challenge to come up with a finished product that looks old and used, but not fake.

If you have seen many original guns up close, you have probably noticed that they show marks of use and age.  The original finishes tend to oxidize and as this happens they develop a certain "look".  It is a kind of texture to the finish that is hard to describe.  The guns also accumulate a patina of different colors and textures, based on where the finish gets damaged or worn thin by handling over time.

This gun is a Virginia style rifle in .54 caliber.  I have purposely put some dents and scratches into the stock, rusted the steel hardware, and tarnished the brass hardware.  I have used stains, paint, pigments, and oil finishes in an effort to mimic the look of a gun that was used heavily, but also cared for by its original owner.  I always enjoy doing this kind of finish and hopefully have achieved a credible look. 

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

A Little 28 Gauge Side by Side Flintlock

 Here is a cute little shotgun. Weighing in at 5 lbs. and 14 ounces, it is a joy to carry.

  The barrels are new manufacture.  I didn't want to use old twist barrels without having them x-rayed, so I went with a modern set from Numrich.

The barrels needed to have the chambers cut off and then the flintlock breeches were machined and added.  The book "Recreating the Double Barrel Muzzle Loading Shotgun" by William Brockway was invaluable and I recommend it to anyone who is going to build one of these.

The wood is a piece of Bastogne Walnut from California and the locks are by L & R.

Overall, I am very happy with how this gun turned out.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Something a Little Different

This rifle is a distant relative of rifle number 119 in Rifles of Colonial America by George Shumway.  It is a bit unusual due to its architecture resembling a fowler, but clearly being built as a rifle from the outset.  Due to its fowler styling, it is a very comfortable gun to shoulder and shoot.  The slim wrist and overall profile makes for a nice, slim, lightweight gun.

This particular example is built with a Rice, 42 inch, B-weight, .50 caliber, swamped barrel.  It weighs in at 7lbs and 12 ounces.  It has a curly maple stock and is lightly aged/antiqued. 

I have slightly smaller hands than average so I love the slim wrist on this rifle.  It is just a super comfortable gun to carry and shoulder.

 I hope you enjoy the pictures:

Another Moravian/ Christian Springs


This is another Christian Springs style rifle with heavy Germanic styling.  You can read my earlier posts for a history on these early gunsmiths.