Chambers English Pistol

[ligonierbill]

Anyone put one of these together? I am considering one - something different. I've built 4 flintlocks and currently have a half stock Hawken replica on my bench, but I have not done a pistol.

 

[ligonierbill]

Well, I ordered one: 62 rifled barrel, brass furniture, and...the only piece of wood available...an extra $100 for a fine piece of maple. I had intended English walnut, but they have not been able to get that for a couple years. So, the heat is on. With fine wood on the line, I'll need to bring my best game!

 

[DanL]

That is a fine looking pistol. Good luck with the build!

 

[ligonierbill]

Thanks, but it's not luck, rather patience and a steady hand that's needed. Well, given my minimal stores of patience, maybe some luck, too. It will be a while, but I will post pictures of my progress.

 

[ligonierbill]

And, once again, a question on finish. All of my projects to date have browned barrels. I am fixing to rust blue my Hawken project. While it's an "English" pistol, the maple makes it American. Brown, blue, or "in the white". Rust blue sure looks nice, but I'm reading that many, or most, mid-18th century guns were simply polished and left to "age" in use.

 

[Sam squanch]

It’s your pistol- finish it any way you want.

 

[ligonierbill]

True. I think I'll polish the lock and barrel and leave them, maybe a little light oil. BTW, I ended up with a 20 ga. smooth barrel. My mistake or theirs, can't say, but I'm going with it. Easier to load and clean, and the truth is I'm no pistoleer.

 

[Robert Losekamp]

True. I think I'll polish the lock and barrel and leave them, maybe a little light oil. BTW, I ended up with a 20 ga. smooth barrel. My mistake or theirs, can't say, but I'm going with it. Easier to load and clean, and the truth is I'm no pistoleer.

Bonus to leaving it bright, it's a lot easier to brown/blue down the road if you choose. Little more work to take it back to bright!

 

[ligonierbill]

Finished the Hawken. My best discovery in that project was Mark Lee's Slow Rust Blue #3. Lots of work: 5 apply, wait for the rust, and boil cycles, but it really puts a nice black finish on the barrel. I'll use that for this pistol barrel. The pieces have made it to the workbench, so ready to go.