Nearing the end of a VERY involved project
Added 2021-12-15 14:35:08 +0000 UTCBEFORE photos of a Joseph Manton double gun from 1797, if I dated it correctly. The gun and its box have been in the Charleston area for a long time. As presented, it had been converted to percussion, presumably in England, as the trade label in the lid was only used by Manton in the 1811/12 timeframe. Fortunately, both flintlocks were still with the set. The wood has been repaired many times. Damage was caused by handling, saltwater immersion, mercuric chloride spew from percussion cap overspray, and just plain HARD use. 3 of the four mainsprings were corroded and snapped apart.
So the story is, the case was downtown on East Bay Street during the Hugo storm surge. The box and its contents were partially submerged and damaged. 30+ years of storage in a local gun vault didn't help either.
As a conservation project, it's time to put my money where my mouth is I guess. Much research went into historical construction techniques prior to any work. More in the next post........
mark
Comments
Wow. What a wonderful pile of dirt to work with. I can't wait to see what you can do with. it.
2021-12-23 20:42:41 +0000 UTCI can't wait to see the video on this resurrection!
2021-12-21 02:49:57 +0000 UTCAfter I picked my jaw off the floor......... I'm looking forward to seeing how this goes and the final result. OMG.
Matt K Mitchell
2021-12-19 19:14:31 +0000 UTCGreat project! And I'm looking forward for more reports. Also, I am hoping there is some way to remove the stain from the paper label inside the top. Was water soluble ink used? Possibly.
2021-12-18 15:19:20 +0000 UTCI'm really looking forward to how you go after this one Mark... I've got a similar one that's been in my shop for a couple years. It's in slightly better shape than yours but I can't get one of the top jaw screws to loosen up! I've tried heat.... Angel Piss..... EVERYTHING I can think of and it's still locked solid. The only thing missing on this double is the ram rod! I'll try and remember to send you some pictures...
Robert Hanlin
2021-12-16 11:49:25 +0000 UTCOh, my!
Jeff Price
2021-12-16 08:14:17 +0000 UTCLooks like a nice piece of timber under the grot - will be interesting to understand the decision to go back to flintlock if thats the way it goes. Hats off to an epic undertaking Mark
2021-12-15 19:35:30 +0000 UTCAaaaand... the betting window is OPEN! How many episodes do *you* think this will end up as? My initial estimate was going to be six, but I think I'd better go with an eight-parter for all the ground Mark will have to cover... π
Bruce Brodnax
2021-12-15 17:33:50 +0000 UTCThe first 2 hour anvil awaits. I hope...
Alden Skinner
2021-12-15 16:49:12 +0000 UTCWhat a beautiful old piece. Shame that it wound up in such a state. Double guns have a special place in my heart, so I am Glad to hear this one is getting some well deserved love and maintenance. π
2021-12-15 16:02:14 +0000 UTCBut did it belong to Lawrence of Arabia?π Seriously, looks like an interesting and difficult project. Good on ya for tackling this project. I expect most gunsmiths would run screaming in terror from this.
Nuke Road Warrior
2021-12-15 15:52:04 +0000 UTCJust pure :jawdrop:
2021-12-15 15:46:08 +0000 UTCThis is a resurrection rather than a restoral. Looking forward to it!
Martin Morehouse
2021-12-15 15:42:07 +0000 UTCSplendid. I suspect you approached this one with a little trepidation. Never fear for Thou Art the Carbon Based Life Form and are blessed with thumbs and hammers. Who else could do it? Something for me to look forward to in the New Year. I'm especially glad I'm not paying for it... my compliments to the gentleman who is.
Doc Billing
2021-12-15 15:05:10 +0000 UTCVery very cool, canβt wait to see you work some magic.
2021-12-15 15:03:53 +0000 UTCIncredible piece of history, It Looks like a lot of work.
2021-12-15 14:58:32 +0000 UTCThis will certainly make a cool Anvil.π
2021-12-15 14:51:27 +0000 UTCNow thats a video I want to watch. Are you planning on repairing the box as well?
2021-12-15 14:44:48 +0000 UTCI'm really looking forward to this project! I'm sure it's gonna be many hours of hard work, so please, please show as much as possible.
Alfred Gawron
2021-12-15 14:42:40 +0000 UTC
