Home made Caplock Build

[Longbeard]

Been there, done that...
The ring is a bugger to get out of the tub.
Next time try a bucket of soapy water with a shotgun swab on your cleaning rod.
The wet swab creates a suction in the barrel that pulls the water in and out, or you
can just pour the water into the barrel.

I drew the water out of the tub; I didn't use the tub for cleaning . Then I used
the method you described. I also started the tea kettle to get hot water to pour
water down the bore when I was finished scrubbing. Finally I used a patch coated
with gun oil to coat the bore & outside of the barrel (I also removed the lock
mechanism and cleaned the underside). The nipple was placed in warm soapy
water while I cleaned the lock & barrel ; I cleaned and dried the nipple then used
anti-seize compound on the threads as I reinstalled.

Blessings,
Longbeard

 

[Capn Jack]

While waiting for parts for my rifle build, I've been fine tuning the Matchlock. I made a new rear, (peep) sight and I made new barrel retaining pins. I liked the looks of the ones I've seen that are threaded into a button on either side of the forearm, so I made some.

First, I over drilled the existing holes in the stock, 3/16" down with a 3/8" Forstner drill bit. That was a trick to do.Then I threaded the rods on each end. The buttons were fairly easy. After drilling and tapping an aluminum rod on the lathe, I turned it down to fit the new holes, cut off 6 , 1/4" wide buttons and slotted one side with a hacksaw, so they could be tightened with a, "Tamper Proof" screw driver tip.

After reinstalling the barrel, I tightened the buttons down until they were tight and then filed off any material sticking out. As I was filing away, I had to keep renewing the slot with a hack saw.

When finished I re-stained anywhere I had buggered up the finish.
I'll see if I can get some decent pictures.

 

[Capn Jack]

I guess I should have put the pictures under Matchlock where they belong.

]

More tinkering...

 

[KKG]

Capn Jack;

Some more VERY Fine hand work. It's a matter of Different Strokes got Different Folks. What you might want to look into is a Set of Screw Slot Files from Brownells. Your Slots will then be Parallel and the Bottom will be Flat.

Good Luck with your Current Project(s)!

 

[Capn Jack]

Thanks KKG,
As I've said before, I'm just feeling my way. I didn't even know what a, "Forstner Bit" was, until I stumbled on them at the hardware store. Other than being a mechanic most of my life, I took a machinist apprentice course in high school over 60 years ago and I was looking for an, "End Mill".

 

[EPS]

When are you going to GREENE'S again.
To shoot.

 

[Capn Jack]

Not really sure about Greene's. I have to work around wife's doctor appointments. Hopefully Next Thursday.

 

[EPS]

Not really sure about Greene's. I have to work around wife's doctor appointments. Hopefully Next Thursday.

Ok I work Thursdays.
But if you ever get out there on a Saturday .
Let me know.
And if you can get out on a Saturday.
Probably can get @AndyinEverson
To come out too.
I know he works week days also.
At least till summer time.

 

[EPS]

I was at Greeens last Saturday for a few hours.
Only 4 other people there .

 

[Capn Jack]

I still have a number of parts in the mail and I would like to find a better piece of wood for a stock, but with summer almost upon us, I may have to move this project to the back burner. My boat has been feeling totally dejected and Canada will soon beckon.

 

[Capn Jack]

My tang and breech plug arrived, so while the boat is being painted I headed off to my local machine shop.
The new barrel is too long for my lathe, so I had to have a shop crown the muzzle and tap for the breech plug.
Fellow said he couldn't work on guns.
So I told him, "It's not a gun. It's only a pipe with some grooves down the inside."
I cut the last couple of threads so that I could time the breech plug and it came out on the money.
I found a great article on how to cut the dove tails for the sights and the barrel retainer. They will probably
be my next project.

 

[DunRanull]

Interesting...

 

[KKG]

...Fellow said he couldn't work on guns.
So I told him, "It's not a gun. It's only a pipe with some grooves down the inside." ...

AH; we do love in the LAND of the Hypocrite!!!

 

[Capn Jack]

So I told him, "It's not a gun. It's only a pipe with some grooves down the inside."

This was said tongue in cheek.
If I thought he was dumb enough to believe me, I would have gone somewhere else.

 

[KKG]

This was said tongue in cheek.
If I thought he was dumb enough to believe me, I would have gone somewhere else.

that would likely be a VERY Good idea - I was only kidding!

 

[Capn Jack]

Poking around this evening to see what kinds of brass, bronze, etc. I have left.
There should be a front and rear sight in this stuff somewhere. I'll just have to tease them out.

 

[KKG]

Should be more than enough there!

 

[Capn Jack]

Here is the first sight dove tail and base. Proving once again, "Even a Caveman can do it."
Fingers sure start to cramp after a few hours of filing...
Rear sight to go. I'll hold off on the trunnions until I decide on a stock.
* There is an excellent article on cutting dovetails on the, "Cast Boolits" Site.

 

[KKG]

Fingers sure start to cramp after a few hours of filing...

This is one of those times when you learn that even a Good File can go bad if not Properly Cleaned and Properly Used! They ONLY cut going ONE way!!!

 

[Capn Jack]

Front sight. Still needs some trimming. I left it high to shoot low figuring I can cut it down later.
What a PIA. Almost too small to work with.
The blade is 1/2 of a little cabinet hinge.
Now to figure out the style of leaf for the rear.