I'm just getting started on a long term rifle project. Finally got all the parts sourced and on hand. Its a Deringer rifle, made for the Western trade in the late 1820s.
First up is getting all the metal bits ready. While I wait for the stock and barrel, I went ahead and cleaned up the triggerguard. It was sand cast from an original piece. Sand casting leaves a very rough finish. After several hours work, I think I am ready to start polishing it up.



This is the original rifle I will be copying very closely:

I look forward to watching your progress. Off to a great start it appears. Im 100% sure it will turn out exceptional like all your other projects.

Very interested! You’re a man of many hats.

There's going to be some learning on this one. A few new techniques to try out. A friend who builds some great guns is going to help some, and I'll be asking my dad for advice along the way.

Its funny how the first piece you work on feels tedious and the whole project seems daunting. Then you find yourself polishing and fitting and in no time you’re at the range.

What caliber? Hunting gun or a paper killer?

Your previous post about the muzzleloader get together has me thinking of getting something smaller. I hit a lot of trad archery shoots but I’d like to get into the BP shoots. I feel like there would be a lot of overlap

DT, this will be a 54 caliber, 43 inch berreled deer rifle. Elk if I ever make it out West.

Most of my target shooting is with a 36, fun little caliber, saves powder and lead.

If its serious competition, or a 100 yard target, I'll use my current 54 caliber flinter.

BP shoots are fun. You'd think there'd be more overlap between trad archers and BP guys, I'm into both, but it seems that the two circles don't overlap all that much.

Look Nessie!! A Flintah!!

"A real man's gun doesn't have nipples" LOL

I think I’d like a .36 or .40 but im in love with my .54. It’s given me a lot of good memories and meat! The seed has been planted though.

I like Flintahs

Dang!

Very interesting are you aware of any specific mountain man that carried a rifle made by that gentleman?

a small ven diagram overlap indeed

so many archers are tech tech tech , they want every new tech in the bow. they only want to shoot with sighs and a release and a stabilizer and they are willing to dump crazy money into a bow.

I'm gonna be keeping an eye on this one!

Kyle, for the record, a Henry Derringer trade rifle was excavated some years ago from a native burial
In southern Michigan. It had his distinctive eagle head patch box. One of the lesser known trade gun makers.
Do you have Ryan Gales book on trade rifles? It's available from Track.

This should be interesting to follow.

No, that I am not. I believe most mountain men went through several rifles in their careers. Between loss, damage, theft, etc.



That's really interesting. Yes, I have Gale's book, and several other good references that show nice pictures of the Deringer rifles. Deringer was the sole supplier for US government contracts in the late 1810s and 1820s when the government ran the Indian factory system. The eagle head patchbox is quite distinctive for sure.

Neat.