WOW!
It’s been a long time in the making but I thought some of you might like to see a finally completed pistol project which I rather over-ambitiously started some five years ago, and which has been a love-hate relationship ever since. In fact the project has been mothballed for three years and only came out of hiding three months ago, when a lot of finishing touches were needed. Anyway, I pulled out all the stops and this is the end result:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2bbfa723.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps0d8324ef.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3300dd9c.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...psda30c59e.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps9e0c2f1f.jpg
And this is how it started off, as a block of walnut.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3fe40c9f.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3f7e0e64.jpg
It’s a working reproduction of an early 1800’s bellows air pistol, of which only two original examples are known. I always wanted one of these for my collection, but as this was never going to happen, I decided the only way to get one was to make one. I was very fortunate that the great American airgun collector and writer Larry Hannusch generously sent me scaled photographs of his pistol, including the dismantled innards, and from these I was able to figure out the mechanism and make what is a very close copy internally and externally (although I have never actually seen his gun in the flesh).
Another reason for starting the project was as a means of getting to know how to use a lathe, as I had picked up a nice old Myford and hadn’t got much of a clue how to use it. It was a baptism of fire, but with the aid of a lot of books and cussing and swearing I managed to pick up the basics. I am pleased to say that with the exception of some of the screws everything was made from scratch, including making the bellows , boring and milling the barrel and casting the brass trigger guard, case-hardening components, spring making, brass inlaying. These were all interesting learning curves to say the least.
The pistol shoots darts very nicely, although not very powerful it is surprisingly quiet and has no recoil.
WOW!
Wow!
You can be proud of that, superb piece of work, especially difficult as you've had a self taught apprenticeship covering many disciplines.
Very nice indeed.
Carl
Amazing job, John! Congratulations.
Seeing the innards of one of those bellows guns I can't help but think of a empty crisp packet, before it goes 'pop' when you clap your hands. Or one of those kids' rockets activated by stamping hard on the foot pump!
Vintage Airguns Gallery
..Above link posted with permission from Gareth W-B
In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest in niche subjects.
Stunning
What an awesome culmination to a most ambitious project, John.
You must be very proud of that masterpiece, and deservedly so.
Congratulations!
Superb job there
Did you also make the rifle/muskett that I saw in you album??
THIS ONE??
Cheers, John
for my gunz guitarz and bonzai, see here
www.flickr.com/photos/8163995@N07/
Crikey,what a stunner.Congrats John!
Wow indeed, that is very good - any chance of a shot of the innards sometime?
for my gunz guitarz and bonzai, see here
www.flickr.com/photos/8163995@N07/
Thanks for all the positive comments. These make a refreshing change from my better half’s views, who thinks I am slightly mad.
These pix might help explain the innards a bit better:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...psa46fb4d9.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps7020eb6e.jpg
[QUOTE=johnbaz;6335612]Superb job there
Did you also make the rifle/muskett that I saw in your album??
No,I didn’t make the antique air rifle (making the pistol was more than enough for me), and it was actually something I picked up recently and was then subject of a previous thread. http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread....as-this-before
Amazing job mate.
Not even sure I know what it is but its awesome!
hoplophobe
Really nice work there. I am amazed you took on such a daunting task - and succeeded with flying colors.
What a super job you have done there, you should be realy proud of yourself.