Greetings from Port Matilda (Near State College). Signed on as member ysterday, and posted on Smoothbore Forum this morning. For those who didn't see it, my first Blackpowder experience was when I was 11/12 yrs. old in the mid 60's. Neighbor loaned me original 1795 .69 Springfield he had buried in his closet - bought a mold from Dixie & cast Balls from Wheel Weights using one of Mom's gravy ladles & Dad's Coleman Camp Stove. Shot the heck out of that Musket, and cried when I had to give it back. Been pretty much a Blackpowder Guy my whole life; Current Rifle is an old Navy Arms Harper's Ferry, which I refitted with a Getz Barrel soon after I got it. Rifle has 23 Deer to it's credit (not all trophies mind you). Just took possesion of Pedersoli Charleville - see Smoothbore Post. Did an informal apprenticeship with an old German Gunsmith - high point of which was making 2 Jaeger Rifles from scratch. Hand forged and filed every piece of metal on those, excepting Barrels, which we tapered and swamped by hand. Great experience, but I do not for a moment pretend to be a Master Buchsemacher. Looking forward to viewing the Member Chit-Chat, and even posting myself once in a while.
Eric
Eric