doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com "New manufactured" Lefever project

I was wondering if the fences could be left a little meaty to give more room for the owner to shape things like they wanted? We all have different things we like to see on arcaded fences, and leaving a little extra metal will (very slightly) cut down on machinging and give the owner more room for personalization. Just a thought

Jerry V Lapen commented about blackpowder rifle barrels made by Ed Rayl. Ed Rayl is one of the top blackpowder barrel makers for rifles and front end loader shotguns. Two years ago, I saw a couple of completed shotgun barrel assemblies in the white made up by Mr. Rayl. If I remember correctly, the pricing was in the $300 range (front end loader). From my limited experience with black powder firearms, it's a low volumn cottage industry - similiar to our Lefever project.

Marc, The frame will be made by CNC program. Due to this fact, it would be very expensive to alter the program and run a new set-up for one or even a few frames. The fixtures for holding parts have to be made to exact diamentions so that all parts are guarenteed to be the same. If the part is altered from program, it wouldn't fit the holding fixture so new fixtures would have to be also built. Ken

Ken,
Just a couple questions that may have already been asked and answered.

1) Will the actions be finished? That is, will they be filed and polished after machining?

2) Will the action be sold as a barreled action or without barrels?

How about including a cheap CNC "carved" dummy stock & forearm, made out of some inexpensive material- already inlet ~ 95% with set dimensions say 14 3/4" X 1 1/2" X 2 1/2 "?

This could then be taken to be pantagraphed with the buyer's own stock blank - bondo could be used to build up / or dummy stock could be sanded down prior to replication. Would sure bring down the cost of having to have a stock built from the ground up.

- JBP

J.B., that's a good idea, but only has to be done for the buyers that aren't satisfied to use the "dedicated" stockmakers that agree to cooperate in the "project". Those dedicated stockmakers would have access to fully inletted dummy stocks supplied by the makers. This is really starting to sound like a piece of cake.

It sounds like there could be a whole other biz on just the stockwork alone.

If a fellow were to spend a little time with some wood (maybe an old Lefever stock or LC stock) and Devcon, the head pattern could be made. Once that's done, the rest is cake.

Chuck:

It is my understanding that the barrels and action will be sent to a metalsmith for fitting and finish, chambering and the like before being sent to its new home.

Glenn

Maestro Ken, You might look to Russia for bbl work. The folks in Tula seem to not only know their business but might be amenable to short runs. Geno of this board may be able to check into this. Tula appears to be the Russian equivalent of St. Etienne or Suhl. Just a thought. Dr. Dozier sends with his uusual high regards. This is a worthwhile and comples projec, but why Lefever and not for example Baker.

Thanks Glenn,
That makes this more attractive to me by a bunch.