Wheel-lock

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

I have inherited the wheel-lock from my best friend and brother. He passed away on me back in march and his widow has put much of his blackpowder related stuff into my care. Need help to build a proper piece around it please.

Bo

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Sorry, ran out of time on my session here at the library, had to wait a few to log back in. It has been a melancholy week helping go through Big Ed's stuff with his widow. Lot's of memories attached to the things we sorted through.

Anyhow, this is the lock that I have mentioned in the past, the one I tried to get my best friend to build a gun around in order to get him motivated and try to overcome the depression that came with his failing health. I want to do something with it but I suck at woodwork. At one time I saw a picture here of a large wall-type gun of 8 or 10 guage bore I think, mounted in a yoke. I copied that photo and sent it along to Ed but his widow and I could not locate it. This lock is a bit large for a pistol, so I am looking to build a longarm with it, most likely something close to that big wall gun. He would have liked that. Any help you folks could offer as to finding a big 8 or 10 bore barrel, and some help getting to inletting done would be appreciated. I have a neighbor that works for Fajen Gunstocks and he is going to help with getting the cherry stock blank when I decide on the barrel and style. Thinking fish-tail or club-butt. Suggestions for design will be appreciated as well.

Thanks...

Bo

[Captain Jim]

I think I may have found you something Here: http://strzelecka.ne...llock_Plans.pdf

Good starting place if nothing else.

Edit: I took a closer look at the plans and it shows you how to make the lock as well as the finished gun. Wow. Amazing what one can find on the Interwebs.

(You know someone who works at Fajen...drooollll...)

Edited October 10, 2012 by Captain Jim

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Yes, my next-door neighbor works at Fajen Gunstocks in Lincoln, MO. just 11 miles away from home. He also comes over to set out round bales for the horses since I no longer have a tractor.

Anyhow, thanks for that link! My wheel lock is fully assembled and functional, even has pyrite in the jaws already. I'm leaning more heavily towards a .75 calibre musket after talking to my local machinist/gunsmith. An 8 or 10 bore 4ft. long is more costly than I am willing to go. Probably going to be a .69 or .75 musket with Dutch influence. The club-butt on top?

http://www.williamma...ssFlintlock.jpg

Maybe this fishtail?

http://www.halfblogre.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/wheellock_musket2.jpg

Ed's surname is Herzer, and he would have liked it built that way I think. Still open at this stage though.

Bo

Edited October 11, 2012 by Capt. Bo of the WTF co.

[Captain Jim]

I kinda like the way the club-butt flows...more graceful. And you can use it as a paddle!

Edited October 12, 2012 by Captain Jim

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Uh-Huh! I think I have found my piece:

A carbine instead of a full-length musket for me! Horsemen and pyrates alike favor the carbines for manueverability no? I think this is going to be my target. I just like this one very much.

opinions?

Bo

[William Brand]

That's awesome and most definitely unique. I think that would be an excellent addition to a pirate armory. It would make a stand out piece.

[Captain Jim]

Seconded, especially since you are a horseman. Now ya need to bring a horse to Key West and play an English commander.

Edited October 12, 2012 by Captain Jim

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

Looking for a round .62-.69 cal. barrel around 30-32 inches now. This is gonna be fun!

Bo

[Cuisto Mako]

This would be a beautiful piece, go for it! :) ...oh and if you ever get tired of it, let me know

[Commodore Swab]

How about we talk in kw?

[Matty Bottles]

I dig the carbine - plus there aren't many folks I know rocking that length. If I recall, you have a pretty unique brace of arms - that little blunderbuss, and that hanger made from the 1840 bayonet, I think? You even once had a doglock made to look like a conversion from wheellock, I believe. This will be another addition to a very unique armoury. Go for it.

Man, I wish I was going again this year.

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

I talked to my local young longhunter friend Matthew last night and may have found the barrel and stock for this project already! I am going across the street to my gunsmith's shop when I leave here (the library) and see about getting some help with inletting things. This may not take as long as I originally thought!

Commodore, we will definitely have a chance to talk at the Ft. Taylor event.

Matty, I had to let that pistol go a couple years back when my septic tank needed replaced. The hanger you mention I still have,but it turned out to be a real sick story. After several years of trying to identify (unsuccessfully) that blade while it was still in its original bayonet state, I made the cutlass you saw from it. Just about two years ago, while browsing an antique auction site, I saw an identical bayonet listed. It turns out that it was a RARE ORIGINAL SPENCER NAVAL ISSUE BAYONET! Only 800 were made for the Union Navy. On the bright side (if there is one), most of those ended up modified to swords similar to what I did with mine as they were too unwieldly on those Spencer carbines. The blade is nearly as long as the weapon itself.

OK, enough of the bunny-trail.

I am really jazzed about building this wheel lock carbine. It should be fun to shoot.

Bo