First "modern" project rifle
As I noted in earlier posts, I have built two flintlocks from Jim Chambers kits. I highly recommend these. Pricey, but fine wood and components, and absolutely historically accurate. I have returned to my next rock lock, one that has been on my bench for a long time, and preparing to mount the lock. This one started with a stock blank and components, more challenging.
But starting today, it is sharing the bench with one of those new fangled turnbolts from Paul Mauser. I bought a sporterized (won't say Bubba'd - it was a pretty good job) Turkish Mauser with the original 8x57 barrel cut to 18". Not sure why they cut it so short, but I bought it to replace the barrel, stock, and whatever else makes sense. Got a Wheeler barrel vice and action wrench and got my day's resistance training twisting that bugger off. First lesson: the threads are dinged up. Hmmm, maybe Bubba was involved. If they were in good shape, I would consider mounting a new barrel myself. But they're not, so I called E. R. Shaw up near my old hometown. They can mount a new barrel for a reasonable price, but...I was thinking to do a 25-06, and they won't do that one on a 'Turk" action. Not too surprised. I got Jerry Kuhnhausen's book, and these Turkish Mausers (actually made in Germany) have a lot of variation in heat treatment. Shaw will do a .257 Roberts, so that will have to do. Hey, it's a quarter bore and a lot stouter than my 25-20. So next trip to Pittsburgh I'll drop off the action in Bridgeville.
Ordered a stock from Richards Microfit in California. Now, fitting and finishing a stock is something I am comfortable with. But I never tried checkering. New learning experience.
My flintlocks I browned in keeping with 18th century practice. That was pretty easy. This time I will need to blue the barrel and maybe touch up the action (first guy did pretty well there). Another learning experience.
I'll post some pictures with progress. Any advice is appreciated.