After making the pistola I decided that perhaps he needed a rifle. Who knows maybe I'm starting his own gun collection for him ;^) I saw a picture online of a wooden shotgun, printed it up for referance, and then made my own version. I decided to search for real shotguns as well, so that It can be more authentic. I'm not sure if I was successfull with the authenticity part, but it sure is better then the wooden one online. LOL. Of course those projects are made for speed, my projects aren't.
I am at the crossroads with this project. I'm kicking myself on how much work I actually want, fully aware that it will be dropped, kicked, used as a sword, and even possibly lost. After all he is 6 and doesn't really care if his stuff is taken care of. I'm thinking I could make this really cool, carving the stock, staining it, ebonizing the barrel, etc. At that point he could keep it forever, and possibly pass it down to his son. But I could put in all that work and then spend a lot more work repairing it after he takes it to battle. LOL. The more I think about it the more I want to work on it, but once I get started it could take a long time to carve.
What to do.
Here it is so far. The gun is made out of european steamed beech. I turned the barrels, drilled the holes with forstner bits, carved the stock with chisels, etc. I cut the shape out with a jig saw, as my band saw isn't wired yet, and doesn't have power. So far this has been fun, which is what it is all about. I hope he enjoys it. He left the pistola in my truck, and hasn't really shown concern for it. We'll see. The pics are a bit bigger then I wanted, so click them to see the entire rifle.
As you can see the cocking mechanism is opperable. (not sure what that is called)
As always I welcome constructive criticism, positive or negative.
The ejecting Mechanism is called a sliding breech aka pump. Ditto on Dennis "Lucky Kid"
Cool DaD. Just don't bring it to brkln homeland security will wonder what it means. haha.
One lil idea--Make a rubber band semi auto. you remember them ?
Or take him pretend hunting for bear !!!
I'll always remember stalking my first bear in woods behind reed college with a cork pop rifle and dad.
If he looses interest sell em' as modern Art.
I'd Just checker the handle and let it get that natural grass stain n dirt patina !
He'll always remember this thing. Hey I got a bag of socks one christmas! As is Is Awesome!!!!
They sell raw 'euro wood toys' here in brooklyn for hundreds and yours wins by far.
Hey don,t make that thing too realistic. Kids here have been shot by panicky cops who thought the gun was real, sure there,s a few stressed out tired cops around your area too. Seriously.
I've decided to spend some time on this shotgun. It was a tough decision, providing that I'm giving it away to a 6 year old. But the reason I decided to move forward is because #1 I don't think there is a toy gun as detailed as this will be, #2 I enjoy carving and it's a good experience, and #3 maybe people will see it and either order one, or maybe even ask me to carve their real rifle. We will see if that works out. No matter what this kid is getting a very cool gun.
I also decided to share the process a little. This is the first part of the carving. I will show one side through the process, but both sides will match. There will be a lot of carving on this. I'm glad it's shallow relief. So far this drake has only taken about 5 hours. It's still rough, but I think I will be doing some wood burning on it as well for the feathers. The pattern came from "Wildlife carving in Relief" by Lora S. Irish.
Here are the first pics in this series. It may be a while before this progresses, but maybe not. Please stay tuned.
As always I welcome constructive criticism, positive or negative.
Well here I am now. The carving continues. I believe now that I am done with this first side. I wasn't sure what to do to be honest with you, so I just sat there at the couch with it on my lap. I cut a piece of paper and taped it to the gun, cutting around the Drake. I just started doodling on it while watching TV and this is what I came up with. I decided that I wanted his Initials on the piece, but also knew I wanted them framed in leaves. These leaves are out of my head, so there may or may not be any realizm to them. I did do a search for stock carving and came across Joe Cummings. Man that guy produces some beatiful rifles. Anyhow, I got the idea for the checkers on the grip, although he uses much more sophisticated designs. I liked the idea and so I had to do something similar as well. I did request a pattern from him. He sent me 2. A fish scale pattern and a weave. I started the carving before I recieved them.
Anyhow, this has been fun so far. A waist of time, but fun. LOL. I will start the other side soon. I do plan on staining the material a walnut color, and will glaze it as well. The barrel will be ebonized. I think I still need to carve in the part of the gun where the shell ejects too, as well as put a small site on the barrel. I think I need to stop searching for shot guns and rifles so the detail work can stop. LOL. Next you know I'll be adding a safety, trigger, and what ever else I notice. LOL.
Here it is so far. As always I welcome constructive criticism, positive or negative. Let me know honest opinions about the design of the carving. It really isn't that well thought out, but I think it's coming along okay.
I finally am at the end of this project. It took quite a bit longer then my initial thoughts, which was to just throw something together and call it a day. LOL. So a 5 hour project turned into 15 and I have to say that I'm glad that I took the leap. This gun turned into a cool little project and it requires a lot of different techniques. This gun was made out of 4/4 solid beech. I got to do the things I love. Turning, shaping, carving, and finishing. I had to do the cut out with a jig saw though, however, I spoke with my landlord today and he's going to send an electrician to hook up some 220 for my Band Saw at no cost to me. It's very cool of him to do. Of course I will be starting his kitchen within a few months. It's somewhat apparent that he likes my work. He saw this gun this morning and the first thing he said was "it looks so real!" With a big grin on his face. And that's what makes my day.
The pattern of the Drake is the only thing I stole. It is a design by Lora S. Irish from her Wildlife in Relief book. Of course I used the internet for inspiration by looking up real shotguns to get a better idea of how it actually looks. I'm not 100% happy with the cocking mechanism because on most shotguns I saw it was rounded. Also the spacing and length of the top and bottom barrels is off. The lower barrel needs to be a lot shorter. Oh well, maybe next time. LOL. The stain is Mohawk ultra penetrating, has a barrier coat of oxford shellac and is finished with oxford waterborne lacquer. I took the liberty of painting the front of the barrels bright orange, safety first I suppose.
Anyhow, it's been a fun project and now it's time for the next one. Hhhmmm, what will it be….........
As always I welcome constructive criticism, positive or negative.
Over the top for sure.
You have to do the real thing next…......
Very cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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