New Rifle!!

[Rod]

Alright, I'm going to blame Sean for this....first, he's always going on about Deringer rifles, then he up and sends me a CD with pics of an original. Well, the bug bit me, and I started gathering up parts. A 42 inch .58 cal. C-weight barrel from Rice, a Chambers classic Ketland lock, Davis set triggers, a stock from Tiger Hunt, and furniture from Track of the Wolf. It took me awhile to to accumulate this stuff, and I was toying with the idea of building it myself, but I figured I'd turn $700 worth of parts into a $400 rifle. So, I turned to my friend, Mark Morain of Kootenai River Traders up in Libby, MT. He took a look at my parts, and decided to take on the project---and I'm sure glad he did.

The big long box came in the mail today, and I couldn't be more pleased. Talk about a nice handling, good looking rifle. I can't say enough about how great Mark was to work with. Instead of one or two big payments, which would be tough for me to make, he let me pay in small installments over time. He also kept me updated throughout the build, sending me photos as he progressed. The rifle is based on a couple of rifles illustrated in Hanson's Firearms of the Fur Trade--basically it's the early Deringer shown, but with set triggers, and a silver cheekpiece and thumbpiece. Sort of the rifle that a guy could buy from Deringer as he headed west---a plain rifle, but a step up from his basic Indian contract gun. Mark got the details right---the double pins on the thimbles, and even the odd toeplate patchbox release. To say I'm impressed would be an understatement.

Anyway, here's some photos that Mark took.

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[Rod]

For some reason, I can only attach one photo at a time, so here's another.

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[Rod]

Another one.

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[Rod]

And another.

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[Rod]

Hope you aren't getting tired of them yet, there's more.

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[Rod]

Still more to come...

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[Rod]

Got another.

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[Rod]

And one more.

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[Duane]

Rod ,what a beautifull rifle,I think the builder did a realy good job with it.I know you will shoot it lot,s this spring and summer.i hope you can shoot an elk with it in the fall...D

[Rod]

Thanks---as you can tell, I am really happy with the way it turned out. Here's a photo I took last night of my J. Henry and Deringer ---I had to fool around with the sizing to be able to post, hope it turned out.

Rod

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[Pare]

Very nice, Rod!

Pare-

[Duane]

Yup..I new right off ,that Sean guy was mixed up in this new rifle business some how,always doing you a favor, sending picture's of nice rifles,that a guy just has to have,he did the same thing to me when I got on the Henry kick,but that's ok I guess,we will just have to put up with him,lol...D

[Dan'l Hickham]

Very Nice rifle Rod

Damn that Sean - Now I want one too!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dan'l Hickham]

Rod or Sean or Chuck;

Do you think the L&R #1150 Durs Egg Lock would be a reasonable facsimile of the Late Ketland Lock (sorry for being left Handed) also where did you get the patchbox?

[Chuck Burrows]

IMO the Durs Egg is too early a lock. I'd recommend either the late English (1st choice - style wise good for the 1810-1840 era) or the Manton left hand (a smaller lock, but appropriate for the 1800-1820 period) as being more appropriate for the time period. If you want the best lock avilable today - get Bob Roller to build one up using the L & R externals (plate, hammer and frizzen) but with his custom made internals and springs. They cost about $150.00 on top of the cost of the basic lock (or parts needed), but you will have one awesome lock. Bob can be contacted on the American Long Rifles forum.

As regards the use of such best quality type locks on American made guns, Henry of Boulton in 1818 noted his firm received a shipment from Liverpool, England, that included dozens of "swivel, single roller, double roller, and skeleton pan (aka waterproof) locks."

and Rod - that's definitely one to ride the river with!