My first build.. a Southern Mountain rifle

I started this build in May and with the help of a good friend have almost completed it. I copied it from an original that my friend had due to the fact that I really like the architecture.The butt plate is from the original, the barrel is a Douglas 40 inch 40 cal. The lock is a late Ketland from Chambers. Front sights, lockplate, toe plate and the rear sights are all hand made. I've never seen another like this and really like the way it shoulders.. I'll try and get more pictures soon. Any comments are welcome..keep in mind this is my first build..so go easy fellers! http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l610/fourwheelhorseman1/1022141827.jpg http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l610/fourwheelhorseman1/0930141805a.jpg

I certainly don't have the knowledge to critique you, but I love southern guns, and like what I am seeing so far.

I had to add another bolt for the lock plate and just used a larger washer as a backplate. The pictures aren't that great.The rifle looks alot better in person Nechii refresh my memory on how you done that with my pictures... and thanks for doing so.. :thumbsup:

When I'm done with the build and rifle is sanded down, stained and totally complete, I'll take a photo with the original beside my build and post it.

From what I can see of the 2nd picture, quite a bit of wood needs to come off the left side lock panel yet. The top of the left side plate should be eve with the edge of the top edge of the vertical barrel flat, and the top of the lock panel only maybe 1/16" or so above that. The edges where it blends in to the stock are a bit square too. Try using your 8" half round files and rasps for the contour and see how you like the sweep, and adjust from there. Lock panels should appear to grow out of the stock rather than be applied to it.

Basically, keep taking off more wood until there doesn't seem to be any more that can come off.

Start your breech contour in to the wrist about 1/8" on to the top flat of the barrel to avoid the dreaded "wrist hump". So go at it with a file. The tang only needs to be about 1/8" thick to do its' job. Your wrist still seems quite thick to me.

My first build was a southern rifle as well. The big deal with these guns is to take off wood till you're scared, then take off more :grin: these guns are known for their graceful appearance, so don't be afraid to take wood off. A mistake that I made with mine (one of many) was to make the angle of the wood parallel to the tang too flat. It should slope down so that your lock panels can be somewhere aligned with the vertical barrel flats-you may need to tighten up your lock panels to do so. I agree that the wrist is still a little thick, so I would take that down quite a bit. Overall, you are off to a great start and you going about this the right way and asking for advice before the gun is finished, unlike me. :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

well it's all done. I took some the suggestions and thinned down the wrist a bit and took some more wood off...the first picture shows the original that I attempted to copy the original is on top.....

more..

I know it has flaws as it's my first ever attempt...but I DO like it. I also know it's not your typical Poorboy Southern Rifle.. that's why I like it.
Let me know what ya'll think!

I'll take it! :hatsoff:

You did a fine job.....and, excellent ageing that wood!
Great 1st start, I'd like to see a close up of those sights too!

Marc n tomtom

I would not be embarrassed to carry that rifle, even a little bit. Nice going.

Very very nice :hatsoff: I would proudly carry that gun. Lots prettier than mine too :thumbsup:

Looks great...Congrats !

What lovely and interesting architecture on that rifle. That's a job well done. Congratulations! :hatsoff:

Fantastic job, on building a beautiful rifle. I for one would like to see more pics. :bow:

First rate!!

nice..a 1/16 of wood makes a difference on a stock.

I had good advice on how to age the wood... :wink: I'll snap some pics of the sights maybe tomorrow. Thanks for the compliments guys! :hatsoff: