Lehigh precarve finally here!

[barebackjack]

Well, my pecatonica lehigh precarve and parts came last night. Looked everything over, now I have questions.

First off, I got a grade #2 CM, and let me say,...WOW! Nice tight, even curl from lock area forward, curl opens up a little in the butt, but easily curl over 100% of the stock. I was very happy with that.
I was suprised at how little wood is left on the stock. It seems that if you were to do carving on it, all you would need to do is sand, and carve. I have maybe 1/16" of wood proud of the buttplate in the rough. My GPR kit had 3/16-1/4".

Here are some pics:

[url] http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l98/barebackjack_01/Lehigh5.jpg http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l98/barebackjack_01/Lehigh4.jpg[/url]

I was suprised at the packaging. Stuff seemed to be just thrown in the box. The barrel was not shipped in the barrel channel, and the upper forearm has a nice warp to the right of about 1/4", along with some degree of twist. There is also a bow to it, with the muzzle end dropping. As of last night, the barrel will not go into the channel.
[url] http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l98/barebackjack_01/warp2.jpg[/url]
[url] http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l98/barebackjack_01/warp3.jpg[/url]

There is also a nice chip just behind the tang an inch or so. It is about 1/64" deep and im seriously wondering if Ill be able to get it out. The center point of the wrist measures 1 5/16" tall X 1 3/16" wide. Is there enough wood left here for some removal? The chip would sit in the relief carving behind and around the tang. There is another small chip on the edge of the toeline, but im pretty sure this one will come out.

Now, the lock. It came with an L&R Durs Egg. And is pre-inlet for that. The only experience I have with flintlocks is either in pictures of your guys rifles, or books, and locks such as on Lymans, TC's, etc etc. Now, when viewed from above, the lock jaws dont line up with the frizzen, and all the pictures and books I have when viewed from above show that they do. Is this right? Stupid question perhaps, but I gotta ask.
[url] http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l98/barebackjack_01/P1010020.jpg[/url]

I love the wood, but the chip and severe warpage have me somewhat worried. Or is this normal. I have no idea.

Would love your guys input.

Thanks
Boone

 

[Goldhunter]

That's odd, my Pecatonic Dickert came with the barrel in the channel. It was a very tight fit! My stock has a little warp (like yours nose down) but someone on here stated before; the barrel supports the fore arm not the other way around. So I am not worrying about it. As far as twist, not sure. Is it a big twist or something that when you start the inletting process will correct itself? I think Pecatonic is a pretty stand up company. If you don't like it or have questions with it I think you can send it back (within a certain time period).

I thought there was the "just the right amount" of wood on mine but when I got into reading on the architecture of one of these, I realized I have alot of excess wood. But I am also not planing on any carving because I an not practiced on it and I want a plainer rifle.

There is a formula I read about for figuring out the size of the wrist compared to the breach of the barrel (it was in Alexander's book) That might help you determine if you can fix the chip or not. Or, call Dick at Pecatonica and see if you can send the stock back for a new one.

 

I would give them a call and explain thing to them, I can't imagine them not working with you on something like that. The stock wasn't sold as a second was it?
Claude

 

[Mike Brooks]

I'd send that stock back. The wayp would bork out as well as the bow, but You'll never get the twist out. :shake: The combination of all three ain't worth the hassel.