Pecatonica LR Re-stock project

[PathfinderNC]

My first flintlock build was a Pecatonica River Lehigh County style flintlock, way back in 1986. It featured a 13/16" Green Mountain barrel/.45cal. , a Durrs Egg lock and premium Curly Maple. I had a few successful deer hunts with that beauty until one day it fell accross a log and the wrist area cracked, right through the lock mortise. It was pretty much a fatal crack and has been tucked away for many, many years, until now.
I decided a few weeks ago that I would re-stock the old gun and make it usable once more. I removed all the hardware that I could re-use, which excluded the patchbox, nosepiece (I epoxied that on) and the thimbles (I also epoxied and pinned them in.. not sure why!) I then contacted Doug at Pecatonica and told him what I wanted to do. He checked and had one of their pre-carved Lehigh's in the back, ready to go. It has a worm-hole with some staining behind the cheep piece area, but I think I will be able to deal with that...
Doug wasn't sure if my old lock and barrel would set corrctly in the new stock, but I took a gamble and said, 'Lets go for it' anyway.
The stock arrived quickly and oh the memories that came back!
The first thing I did was to do a cursory check on the barrel and lock relationship. Yup, on the new stock, it was pretty much the same, though the barrel had to go back about 1/4".
I was not able to dis-assemble the Durrs Egg, so I had to inlet it whole, which was maddening. It looks ok now, and I think that when it's time for final detailing it will be nice and tight with a few tricks I have learned...
I also closed the old pin holes in the trigger guard and under lugs (I made crude rivets from machine screws) so they can be re-used as well.
So for now I have the lock, Davis double set triggers and barrel in place and living well together, though may grind about 1/32" in the front area of the pan to get the touch hole perfectly centered. (As it is it will work fine but I may just do that because I am nuts.)
At this point I am waiting on the Butt Plate and patch box from Track, before I can do much more.
It's a nice feeling to revive my first build. I may never even shoot it, but knowing it's getting a new life makes me feel good..

 

[Pete G]

A heat gun will make epoxy turn loose.

 

[painter]

A heat gun will make epoxy turn loose.

Yup...just over 350 F.

 

[Ames]

I was not able to dis-assemble the Durrs Egg, so I had to inlet it whole, which was maddening.

Please tell my why you couldn't get yours apart. I was just working with a new one yesterday, and I cant get the tumbler to pop off the hammer. Its like they pressed it on. How am I going to get it apart fully to polish and oil? A few years ago they popped when you needed to. Not this one!

 

[Zonie]

This is how I describe my method of taking a sidelock apart. Follow the link by clicking on it,

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/taking-apart-a-side-hammer-lock.116647/

 

[PathfinderNC]

I dont have proper tools to disassemble the lock. (I have a spring vise, LOL) The screw holding the cock to the tumbler is too tight and I dare not try to force it and mar the thing. I did OK getting the lock in nonetheless I would be a better craftsman if I could do some of these things!!Thanks for the link Zonie. I will check it out.

 

[PathfinderNC]

A heat gun will make epoxy turn loose.

Oh thanks!!! I will try tomorrow

 

[PathfinderNC]

I've encountered some challenges with the Lehigh re-stock, but it's still on the bench getting lots of love. I decided to re-use the original butt plate, even though the patchbox lid recess is cut 1/8" wider than my current patchbox lid. The toe plate is in and the patch box is in. All-in-all, it's an enjoyable challenge fitting old parts onto a new, pre-carved stock, and bringing the rifle back to a functioning life.
In the mean time, my other Maple project, Mountain Dulcimer #121 is finished! It is primarially made with Big-leaf Flame Maple with great figuring. The sound is really excellent.
Though it's not my most favorite wood, I do like Maple

 

[PathfinderNC]

I finished up the rifle re-build today. I am pretty happy with it. The challenge was to use as much of my original Pecatonica River Lehigh County longrifle parts, (which I built in 1986) and re-use them on a new Pecatonica Lehigh County stock. I re-used the barrel, lock, butt plate and side plate.
The original patchbox had a slightly wider lid, which I notched the butt plate for. The new patchbox lid is a bit narrower, so there is a little gap there.
I also could not get the old Durrs Egg lock apart and feared damaging it if I tried to force it, so I did my best to carve it into the stock as a unit. It was a chore but it turned out OK.
Rebuilding this rifle was pretty enjoyable. I will be shooting it in a few days, but first I want to work several more applications of boiled linseed oil into the stock, which is still pretty thirsty.
As I remember, and if the sights didn't move, this barrel is dead-on. Time will tell!

 

[ord sgt]

It's a minor thing, petty actually, but, just to help with the finished look, clock all of the screws of the patchbox, all of the screw slots pointing front to back. It' just a thing with me, kinda anal that way.
Overall a good looking rifle.
I had a similar break in the stock. But I chose to repair the stock, cementing together with "pine pitch and hoof glue" (aka epoxy). Finished with a band of brass. It's in my sig picture.

 

[Pete G]

It's a minor thing, petty actually, but, just to help with the finished look, clock all of the screws of the patchbox, all of the screw slots pointing front to back. It' just a thing with me, kinda anal that way.

Original rifles did not align the screw slots. Check the Kindig and Shumway books.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Thanks ord sgt. About the screw heads- I had early-on alligned the screw heads in the same direction and it just looked hokey to me, especially on a gun not as 'polished' as you would find such alligned screws on.

 

[zerosprk]

I like the red hue in the stock. What stain did you use on it?

 

[Hawken1980]

My first flintlock build was a Pecatonica River Lehigh County style flintlock, way back in 1986. It featured a 13/16" Green Mountain barrel/.45cal. , a Durrs Egg lock and premium Curly Maple. I had a few successful deer hunts with that beauty until one day it fell accross a log and the wrist area cracked, right through the lock mortise. It was pretty much a fatal crack and has been tucked away for many, many years, until now.
I decided a few weeks ago that I would re-stock the old gun and make it usable once more. I removed all the hardware that I could re-use, which excluded the patchbox, nosepiece (I epoxied that on) and the thimbles (I also epoxied and pinned them in.. not sure why!) I then contacted Doug at Pecatonica and told him what I wanted to do. He checked and had one of their pre-carved Lehigh's in the back, ready to go. It has a worm-hole with some staining behind the cheep piece area, but I think I will be able to deal with that...
Doug wasn't sure if my old lock and barrel would set corrctly in the new stock, but I took a gamble and said, 'Lets go for it' anyway.
The stock arrived quickly and oh the memories that came back!
The first thing I did was to do a cursory check on the barrel and lock relationship. Yup, on the new stock, it was pretty much the same, though the barrel had to go back about 1/4".
I was not able to dis-assemble the Durrs Egg, so I had to inlet it whole, which was maddening. It looks ok now, and I think that when it's time for final detailing it will be nice and tight with a few tricks I have learned...
I also closed the old pin holes in the trigger guard and under lugs (I made crude rivets from machine screws) so they can be re-used as well.
So for now I have the lock, Davis double set triggers and barrel in place and living well together, though may grind about 1/32" in the front area of the pan to get the touch hole perfectly centered. (As it is it will work fine but I may just do that because I am nuts.)
At this point I am waiting on the Butt Plate and patch box from Track, before I can do much more.
It's a nice feeling to revive my first build. I may never even shoot it, but knowing it's getting a new life makes me feel good..

Great looking rifle
Shop and land.

I cannot imagine how you felt when that rifle cracked many years ago.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Looks good to me, one question though the patch box screws on the fancy tail section are they round headed, they look proud in the photos.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Great looking rifle
Shop and land.

I cannot imagine how you felt when that rifle cracked many years ago.

I remember that tell-tale sound of broken wood and knew before looking at it that it was busted. It was a real bummer...

 

[PathfinderNC]

Looks good to me, one question though the patch box screws on the fancy tail section are they round headed, they look proud in the photos.

Yes, they are domed top brass screws. I used them (like on my Verner also) just because I like them. No reason other than that. Personal taste over historical accuracy.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I like the red hue in the stock. What stain did you use on it?

I used a combination of powdered dyes, mixed with water. I like the deep red tone also!

 

[appalichian hunter]

Just wondering about the screws, do your own thang.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Just wondering about the screws, do your own thang.

To me, without any engraving (I never learned yet) on the patchbox, it really looks flat and plain. I think those screws add some accents. I might use the steel ones I have somewhere.