First Build - Jacob Dickert .50 Cal. Transitional Period

Not being the sharpest tool in the shed sometimes, I decided to build, as my first attempt ever, a Jacob Dickert - esque rifle. Primarily an early style, but with a few golden age leaning features. I chose a preshaped stock with barrel channel cut and ramrod groove and hole drilled, without any inletting. I didn’t feel up to a blank start.

So far I have the barrel breeched and inlet; the lock has been inlet; the flash hole bored, threaded, and insert installed, and barrel draw filed. The first images I’ll post represent an order of progression of the lock inletting.

The flash hole came out a little forward and higher than I originally planned, but it’s well within limits, and should go boom without delay. We shall see. I’ll update this post as I progress through this build.

@Brazos John
Here's the build ...

Good start.

You’re biting off more to chew than I ever would or could. I agree the touch hole is too high. Will the frizzen cover the hole when closed? Might wanna consider redrilling that for a liner so you can lower it. I had a rifle with one high just like that and it was terrible with reliably going off. I had it drilled and a liner put in. After that it was fine. Otherwise you’re doing a fine job.

Here I am, nervous to buy a pre-inlet kit

@TreeMan
That is a liner. There’s a White Lightnin’ in there. The draw filing makes it nearly invisible. The picture makes it look worse than it is. It is in fact inside the frizzen, and is 1/32” forward, and 1/64” high of the horizon-center of the pan. The picture below is of an original Dickert. Obviously a working rifle at one time.

Really, great start! Take your time and keep at it

Anthony

Looks good! My first build was a 45. cal Dickert Kit from Track of the Wolf.

Yes! Proceed! None of us are sharpened tools at birth. We are all sharpened by our experiences and educational gather. A PHD on the wall does not make one the center of knowledge. I have met many people of that de script whom could not replace their roll of toilet paper. Buy all means ask questions on gray areas on this forum. There are mostly those willing to give you their knowledge in many facets of this hobby. Never be ashamed to say "I dont know" or "can you help me on this". Been there and done it. And im better for it. Best, SM

I would be proud of the location of the flash hole. Good work? I hope mine comes out looking as good.

Flash vent looks good. Might screw it up trying to fix it when it ain't broke!

I don't see any potential problem with the liner placement. I think you are doing very well with your build, I wouldn't even attempt to do what you've done.

Oh, and a PhD only means that one knows more and more about less and less.

I really had no plans to change the liner. My mentor, a rather well respected builder of flintlocks for more than 40 years, already verified its well within reason.

Lock side reduced, and rough fitted. There’s enough meat left for final fitting and scraping later. Now onto reducing the opposite side to even up left and right to the centerline. Then I’ll move on to the trigger inletting.

looks good so far, keep at it. I did a similar build in a smoothbore - you will enjoy the entire process.

hanshi said:

I

Oh, and a PhD only means that one knows more and more about less and less.

Click to expand...

Not really.

Sideplate made from 1/8” brass plate. Inlet into left panel.


Spec's:
Modified Track of the Wolf Kit parts kit
Chambers' deluxe Siler Flint Lock, by Jim Chambers
White Lightnin' touch hole liner
Double-lever Set Trigger
Wax cast Butt Plate and Trigger Guard, Lancaster Style
Pre shaped, non-inlet, fancy maple Stock (M4)
.50 cal. Colerain 7/8" straight octagonal barrel, 42", 1:66"
Side Plate, Thimbles, Toe Plate, Patch Box, Nose Cap; hand made

Moving right along…
Set-triggers modified and functioning. Trigger group inlet. Trigger Guard in the final stages of inletting. Now I know why many people don’t like set triggers. And one small screwup to fix/hide.

Progress thus far …

hanshi said:

I don't see any potential problem with the liner placement. I think you are doing very well with your build, I wouldn't even attempt to do what you've done.

Oh, and a PhD only means that one knows more and more about less and less.

Click to expand...

And here I thought it meant Piled higher and Deeper…

I’m sure there are many versions of PhD.