Yet Another New Project: Pistol

ligonierbill · January 16, 2024, 02:42 PM

I've never tried a flintlock pistol, so after a bit of handwringing, called Barbie Chambers and ordered one of their English Pistol kits. With a small outfit like that, you need to be prepared for a bit of a wait, but it appears not in this case. I did ante up extra for the only wood they had in stock, described as a beautiful piece of maple. Based on the "plain" maple I've received from Chambers, I expect this to be fantastic. Which scares me. I do not want to mess this up. But I'm game. Caliber 62 rifled 9" barrel, brass furniture.

armoredman · January 16, 2024, 11:25 PM

Very much interested in seeing how this shakes out!

**4V50 Gary** · January 17, 2024, 02:04 PM

Barbie and her father Odell are good people. Expect a good piece of wood.

ligonierbill · January 17, 2024, 04:05 PM

Here is their PA Fowler in standard (no extra cost) wood. I can't wait to see what they send me for this pistol.

ligonierbill · January 23, 2024, 06:17 AM

I received the Chambers English pistol kit in record time, as they had everything in stock. Unfinished, you have to kind of turn the stock in the light to pick up the grain, and my poor photographic skills won't show it. But it looks to be a beauty.

ligonierbill · June 25, 2024, 06:44 AM

Wow, 5 months. But I haven't been idle, just slow. I have the lock mounted, tang shaped and attached to the trigger plate, ready to start serious sanding. But the hardest part, for me, is done. Drilling on centers is not rocket science, but it always makes me nervous. This is the 6th time I've put the drill press to expensive parts, and it went fine.

I'll start posting some photos as things shape up.

armoredman · June 27, 2024, 06:26 AM

Nice!

ligonierbill · July 10, 2024, 07:02 AM

Had to post a picture to show off the Chambers wood. The photo doesn't do it justice, more burl than tiger stripe. Lots of polishing remaining (barrel and lock will be polished and left "in the white". Then final assembly. Left the final pins to last. Hope I chose wisely, but I only want to insert them once.

armoredman · July 10, 2024, 08:07 AM

That's a beautiful piece of wood, sir.

ligonierbill · July 10, 2024, 03:43 PM

Yes, and my job is to do it justice. I installed the Chambers "White Lightning" touchhole liner today. Straightforward, but I'm always nervous bringing that drill press down on an expensive barrel. Polished and installed the end cap on the stock. Polished the barrel. Next challenge is to solder the front barrel lug and sight. Should be fine, and reversible if I screw up. Polish and pin the ramrod pipes. Polish the trigger guard. Then pin the barrel, and I'm done.

ligonierbill · July 19, 2024, 01:45 PM

Ready to repel boarders. As always, don't look too close. She's not perfect. Next week to the range.

Bishop Creek · July 19, 2024, 02:55 PM

That is really a nice looking pistol ligonierbill! Is it a smoothbore?

ligonierbill · July 19, 2024, 03:35 PM

20 gauge smoothbore.

Hawg · July 19, 2024, 11:10 PM

That's a nice piece of wood. You did a good job.

ligonierbill · July 20, 2024, 08:24 AM

Thanks. I'll be interested in how we do at the range. I've fired many muzzleloading long guns, but never a pistol.

**4V50 Gary** · July 20, 2024, 02:41 PM

Well done. That wood is sure pretty.

Tidewater_Kid · July 23, 2024, 09:06 PM

Turned out really nice!

Prof Young · August 2, 2024, 12:40 PM

Bravo!

January 16, 2024, 02:42 PM	#1
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,640	Yet Another New Project: Pistol I've never tried a flintlock pistol, so after a bit of handwringing, called Barbie Chambers and ordered one of their English Pistol kits. With a small outfit like that, you need to be prepared for a bit of a wait, but it appears not in this case. I did ante up extra for the only wood they had in stock, described as a beautiful piece of maple. Based on the "plain" maple I've received from Chambers, I expect this to be fantastic. Which scares me. I do not want to mess this up. But I'm game. Caliber 62 rifled 9" barrel, brass furniture.

January 17, 2024, 02:04 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,287	Barbie and her father Odell are good people. Expect a good piece of wood. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

July 20, 2024, 02:41 PM	#16
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,287	Well done. That wood is sure pretty. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 2, 2024, 12:40 PM	#18
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,508	Bravo! Bravo!

January 16, 2024, 11:25 PM	#2
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,478	Very much interested in seeing how this shakes out!

January 23, 2024, 06:17 AM	#5
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,640	I received the Chambers English pistol kit in record time, as they had everything in stock. Unfinished, you have to kind of turn the stock in the light to pick up the grain, and my poor photographic skills won't show it. But it looks to be a beauty.

June 25, 2024, 06:44 AM	#6
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,640	Wow, 5 months. But I haven't been idle, just slow. I have the lock mounted, tang shaped and attached to the trigger plate, ready to start serious sanding. But the hardest part, for me, is done. Drilling on centers is not rocket science, but it always makes me nervous. This is the 6th time I've put the drill press to expensive parts, and it went fine. I'll start posting some photos as things shape up.

June 27, 2024, 06:26 AM	#7
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,478	Nice!

July 10, 2024, 08:07 AM	#9
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,478	That's a beautiful piece of wood, sir.

July 10, 2024, 03:43 PM	#10
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,640	Yes, and my job is to do it justice. I installed the Chambers "White Lightning" touchhole liner today. Straightforward, but I'm always nervous bringing that drill press down on an expensive barrel. Polished and installed the end cap on the stock. Polished the barrel. Next challenge is to solder the front barrel lug and sight. Should be fine, and reversible if I screw up. Polish and pin the ramrod pipes. Polish the trigger guard. Then pin the barrel, and I'm done.

July 19, 2024, 02:55 PM	#12
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 568	That is really a nice looking pistol ligonierbill! Is it a smoothbore?

July 19, 2024, 03:35 PM	#13
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,640	20 gauge smoothbore.

July 19, 2024, 11:10 PM	#14
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,376	That's a nice piece of wood. You did a good job.

July 20, 2024, 08:24 AM	#15
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,640	Thanks. I'll be interested in how we do at the range. I've fired many muzzleloading long guns, but never a pistol.

July 23, 2024, 09:06 PM	#17
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 926	Turned out really nice!