Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Traditional Firearms => Flintlock Long Guns => Topic started by: RobD on July 08, 2013, 08:16:48 PM

Title: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on July 08, 2013, 08:16:48 PM
Just arrived today - Tip Curtis .45 Carolina flintlock in-the-white, Jim Chambers lock, 36" Green Mountain barrel, Davis double set trigger.  No patch box or tallow hole wanted.  Tip built her real nice.  This was s'posed to be a simple po' boy country rifle, but the maple stock do have some nice fiddle, burl and curl grain to it.  I ain't complaining.  After I pull off all the metal and raise/level the grain, I'll rub in min-wax resin stain to the stock (probably a dark red mahogany) and then use either birchwood-casey true-oil or min-wax wipe on poly-u for the rubbed-in clear coats ... the barrel and lock will be left naked.  Not gonna get "finish fancy" with this rifle for wood nor metal, I just want a good reliable shooter that will work well in the woods and at the range.   :bl th up

(http://i.imgur.com/vn19Qpm.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/wtFcYQX.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/4lxsr9h.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/v3RbflR.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/YRc2wze.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/zaguQ6R.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/aGgFDxu.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/yeTMPhj.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/mY7xztr.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/agNs1NA.jpg)
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: gunmaker on July 08, 2013, 09:55:50 PM
Looks like my rifles little brother.  With that combination you ain't gone wrong.  A good lookin' woods rifle.     ....Tom
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Roaddog on July 09, 2013, 06:37:16 AM
Tip sure did a grand job. I can't wate to see it after ya get it all finished. She is a beut.
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: sse on July 09, 2013, 08:55:43 AM
Nice...lookin forward to more pics... :bl th up
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Blackbruin on July 09, 2013, 09:18:14 AM
Looks good, see if you can spin that ramrod around, I always thought wood looks better against the nosecap, can be a better grip too if that brass gets wet!
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Riley/MN on July 09, 2013, 10:21:29 AM
Caint wait to see that stock with some finish on it!
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on July 09, 2013, 10:48:47 AM
Quote from: "Blackbruin"
Looks good, see if you can spin that ramrod around, I always thought wood looks better against the nosecap, can be a better grip too if that brass gets wet!

aesthetically, i'd rather see the brass at the muzzle than the wood - besides, the wood end is tapered down for a reason.  ;)

what i will do to the wood end is wick in thin cya after staining, to harden and keep from splitting.
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Uncle Russ on July 09, 2013, 11:08:51 AM
Quote from: "rfd"
Quote from: "Blackbruin"
Looks good, see if you can spin that ramrod around, I always thought wood looks better against the nosecap, can be a better grip too if that brass gets wet!

aesthetically, i'd rather see the brass at the muzzle than the wood - besides, the wood end is tapered down for a reason.  :lt th

Uncle Russ..
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Bison Horn on July 09, 2013, 12:29:33 PM
That stock should finish up to be a real beauty! BH
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Hanshi on July 10, 2013, 11:32:49 AM
I like it!  Very much like my .45 x 36" Late Lancaster.  The only major difference is the drop of the butt stock.
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on July 28, 2013, 06:57:43 PM
continuing the progress!

took it all apart - the mortise work is *Tight* ...

(http://i.imgur.com/ZSOw1tB.jpg)

first blush of laurel mountain forge lancaster maple stain on the "plain maple" (!) full stock ...

(http://i.imgur.com/6B0sCcT.jpg)
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: ridjrunr on July 28, 2013, 07:13:53 PM
Lookin good  :toast
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: wattlebuster on July 28, 2013, 08:18:31 PM
tips work looks top notch. Should be a fine shooter
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Roaddog on July 29, 2013, 06:10:59 AM
That is lookn real good. ya sure made that grain pop out.
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on July 29, 2013, 06:33:12 AM
Quote from: "Roaddog"
That is lookn real good. ya sure made that grain pop out.

'twas the stain, not me that made the grain stand up to attention.   8)
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: rickevans on July 29, 2013, 09:26:04 AM
Nice looker there. I need to get busy finishing an in-the-white Jackie Brown smoothbore.
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: sse on July 29, 2013, 01:00:22 PM
Quote
I need to get busy finishing an in-the-white Jackie Brown smoothbore.
Well, I guess you do...!!!
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: rickevans on July 29, 2013, 01:35:33 PM
Hey...she shot just fine last year all un-made-up.....she's a natural beauty.
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on July 29, 2013, 03:45:45 PM
second wipe of stain .... getting there!

(http://i.imgur.com/LeBrku5.jpg)
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: sse on July 29, 2013, 04:40:09 PM
Dang, that is gorgeous... :bow
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on July 29, 2013, 05:46:51 PM
i really wanted a very plain looking maple rifle stock, but heck i ain't complaining!  :happy

i can't imagine what tip would have used if i asked for something really fancy flamed and curled!  :applaud
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on July 31, 2013, 07:29:07 PM
3 wiped on thin coats of permalyn sealer ...

(http://i.imgur.com/qx3iJRc.jpg)

... time to attempt the assembly ...  :shock:
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Uncle Russ on July 31, 2013, 07:39:13 PM
Now ya be talkin to me...and I like what you have to say!
I love the looks of hand rubbed Permalyn, it looks much better than anything else I have used, IMHO.
 :hairy

Uncle Russ...
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on July 31, 2013, 07:47:34 PM
i like the look, the ease of application, and the super fast cure time of permalyn.  but i also know it's basically plastic and surely not "pc", "hc" and "lmnop".  but it sure do seal wood to the point of beading up water too easily.  i did wick in water thin cya into any thin wood areas and mortises for good luck.  i have an in-the-white smoothie on order with tip and will use his finish on that one instead, just to see the difference (it's a bucks county walnut stock, too).  

anyhoo  :rotf  :roll eyes  :shock:
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: duca on July 31, 2013, 08:45:09 PM
WOW! That looks great man. I have a Knife from Tip. Didn't know he built rifles to. Enjoy!
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on August 01, 2013, 09:14:37 AM
the reassembly turned out to be a piece of cake, too easy.  just need to seal the ramrod and she's ready for her baptism under fire, tomorrow ...  :applaud

(http://i.imgur.com/82h6XyQ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Jl2zhy3.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/nG3RKLf.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/2RABn9p.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/OGYzdHv.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/MqbJ7Yd.jpg)
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: sse on August 01, 2013, 10:07:51 AM
thet be one nice piece a lumber... :bl th up
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Uncle Russ on August 01, 2013, 10:36:53 AM
rfd, ya did good, reeeal good!  :lt th

IMHO, that's a downright handsome piece.
Make any man proud to own that puppy.

Uncle Russ....
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on August 01, 2013, 11:17:23 AM
thanx gents, now to see how she shoots.  :)
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Roaddog on August 02, 2013, 06:14:39 AM
Dang!!! If she shoots as good as she looks, and I'm sure she will. The deer will not have a chance.
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: KHickam on August 02, 2013, 08:14:45 AM
:notworthy
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on August 02, 2013, 08:21:50 AM
i'll lift a sudsy glass or two to mr. tip curtis, as well.  he done me most righteous and i highly recommend gittin a long gun from him.  in fact, he's now making me a bucks county 54 smoothbore.  ah yes, life is still good.  :happy

well, there are a few speed bumps to negotiate - no shootin today, gonna be next friday.  hope to have videos to show as well.   8)
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: wattlebuster on August 03, 2013, 08:17:12 AM
rfd you put some fine work on some already fine work and that adds up to a shore nuff fine rifle!!!
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on August 09, 2013, 10:18:01 PM
a troop of us braved the pouring rains this morning at the range, but we did have some fun and made the best of it all despite soggy black powder, lots of ignition problems, dive bombing skeeters, lost ramrod jags, and touch hole picks wandering under the shed floor boards.  much noise, fire and smoke was made despite these pithy obstacles.  tip's carolina flinter did roar to life more than a few times.  she's a dang fine rifle.  all is well and good, as it should be.   :rt th

click the image to see the video
(http://i.imgur.com/dzkjQfm.jpg) (http://http)
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: Sir Michael on August 09, 2013, 10:21:41 PM
Nice rifle.  Most excellent.  Have you finished be barrel and lock or are you going to leave them in the white?
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on August 10, 2013, 05:05:12 AM
barrel and lock to be left in-the-white and patina on their own, as monitored by me. :)
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: carbineone on August 12, 2013, 06:52:03 PM
Very nice. That looks gorgeous..
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: 1911tex on August 12, 2013, 10:38:11 PM
Beautiful rifle...like I like, plain and deadly.  Are you going to stain the ramrod?  Darker or lighter or to match the stock?  Powder charge?  Ball size?  Patch thickness?  Lube?  Did you wipe between shots?
Title: Re: Tip's Carolina Flinter
Post by: RobD on August 13, 2013, 06:16:57 AM
yup, i did finish the rod using a bit of amber aniline dye stain wiped on, then a light wipe of lmf lancaster maple, followed by 3 light wipes of permalyn sealer.  buffing between all of the preceding with 4/0 wool, last coat buffed only with a paper towel.  i did want it much lighter in hue than the stock, as a contrast, and that what she is now.  

started off with 50 grains of goex 2f and worked upwards to 70 grains, but she likes about 60+ grains best.  next session i'll be working with goex 3f.  haven't touched the sight alignment.  going for groups first with different powder granulation, charges, balls and patches.  to me, this is the fun part and will probably take the rest of the summer to sort out.

right now, .440" balls and .012" llbean flannel shirt patching (dutch dry lube, 6:1 ratio).

i always wipe between shots - i used dry .012" 1-1/2" precut patches moist lubed with moose milk, followed by a dry patch.

(http://i.imgur.com/9HJ6fIq.jpg)