doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Update on Alex Henry project

About 9 months ago, I posted about starting on an Alex Henry single shot built from scratch. A number of you requested updates periodically. Go to http://www.muzzleloaders-etcetera.com/custom_rifles.htm Scroll down about half way.
It has been a interesting and challenging job, most of all I once again stand in awe of the skill of the old timers. For example, I spent so much time fitting the lock all the while thinking that the old stockmakers could have done the same thing in a day or less.
Jim Westberg

Brilliant - Thats fine work Jim!

Great work Jim but you may want to fix that link, it needs the final period removed from it.

That really is nice work, and an interesting picture trail to follow. On the parts that are wire EDM, are you using preharded steels?
Thanks for sharing,

Craig

Craig,
The lockplate blank was cut out with a wire EDM. Material was simply hot rolled steel. Because of the varying thickness of the original lockplate..... from the "bend" it tapers to about .020" thicker toward the front and thins out about .030" at the end of the tail...there was some heat warp and resulting 'chatter' as the machine tried to correct itself. Nothing serious, just a little file work to clean it up. Having filed a number of trigger slots previously, the EDM cut for the trigger slot made me feel like I was cheating somehow. A perfect greasy fit.
I am sending the lockplate out this week to have the odd shaped mortises for the safety parts burned out with a carbon electrode EDM. The mortises on the original lockplate are another tribute to the skill of the old timers. It is a blind bottomed and thickness tapered mortise with 90 degree corners on one end, just beautifully chiseled out!!!
Jim

Craftsmen back then must have had more patience, that breed is about gone. Keep up the great work, and hopefully you will continue to post progress!
Thanks,
Craig