Blunderbuss for comments

[Shakethetrees]

Originally Posted by fernando

As i said, the toe has to be that long in order to catch the spring tension; if i file it, it looses all the needed effect.

Fernando, the addition to the frizzen toe is too sharp to provide a proper bearing surface for smooth action.

I would weld on a piece of metal way oversize, or even build up enough weld bead to make the oversize chunk.

File it to the shape of a traditional toe with a well rounded wide and deep surface area. Polish the contact surface and age. Do as much trial fitting and filing as you need to do to make it perfect.

You can do the household bleach trick I mentioned in an earlier post. Get it good and rusted. I just did this on another non-gun related bit of work I did for a piece of furniture in two days. It had a buildup of crusty, nasty rust. Awful looking, but just what one wants for this purpose. Only treat the affected area. Immerse it in boiling water for about twenty minutes or so, remove it and check. If there's still fresh rust, continue boiling until it is all gone and a nice, heavy black is seen. Neutralize it with baking soda and water if you want, but not necessary if you want a few spots of fresh rust over what will appear as some old black iron oxide. Lightly heat it to dry completely and immediately, while it's still hot, apply some wax. Let it cool several hours allowing the wax to harden and brush excess off.

A bit of extra work, but if it's done right it will go a long way to making the gun look right.

This blunderbuss is worth every bit of extra effort you need to take to make it perfect. It deserves no less!

If for some reason you can't (or won't!) go the extra mile, I know a collector/restorer whose collection could benefit by the addition of this gem!

[fernando]

Thank you so much for all the hints, which i will have in mind.
However it will be some time before further interventions take place ... except for the bleech number.
This baby needs some rest now... and so do i .
Last night i spent some time (and courage) to darken and polish the ramrod which, despite my fears, ended up well.
It appears implausible that i let this gun go away. I love these things; actualy blunderbuss is my middle name .
And, as you may see, she is well guarded


.

[M ELEY]

Wow! Fernando, I had no idea you had so many! You are right to change your name from 'Nando the Rapier' to 'The blunderbuss Fury' or some such...

Very nice examples of which I am envious!

[Ken Maddock]

Hi Fernando
Lots of lovely examples, thanks for showing.
You look to have none with spring bayonet, was this not popular in Portugal
A good few with said attachment turn up in ireland, was this a UK adaptation not used on the continent.
Regards
Ken

[Shakethetrees]

I see my friend is in good company!

Rest up. One day you may decide to continue the work.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Ken Maddock

...You look to have none with spring bayonet, was this not popular in Portugal ...

They are hard to come around, Ken. I only have a pistol with spring bayonet; better than having none:
.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=bayonet

[fernando]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... Wow! Fernando, I had no idea you had so many!...

What did you expect, Cap'n ? No mutinies abord my ship

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... You are right to change your name from 'Nando the Rapier' to 'The blunderbuss Fury' or some such... ...

"Blunder Rapier" fits fine