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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Trapdoor Build (Read 15741 times)
Chuckster
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Trapdoor Build
Jun 11th, 2009 at 5:05pm
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This is something to keep Trapdoor Dick happy.  40-65 Win., Green Mountain #3 barrel (30”), long tang, homemade tang sight and triggers, Shaver front sight, three notch tumbler, chromic acid stain, WOP finish.  It will get a rust blue when I think I am through messing with it.

It is not shooting as well as I think it should. I am still looking for THE load. About a three minute group average with an occasional group in the one minute range, but seems to be getting better as it breaks in. It may be the nut behind the trigger.

Thanks to several people on this forum for the help. It is my first try at black powder cartridge.
Chuck
  
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trapdoor Dick
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #1 - Jun 11th, 2009 at 5:34pm
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Aw gee Chuckster, didn't know ya cared like that. Roll Eyes Beautiful rifle. Right down my line. What did you do with the tumbler using the DST? Thqt was the only problem using the TD lock. Don't know how many end mills I we ruined, cutting for the fly, even after annealing the tumbler first. Good olde chromic acid, or as we used to call it chromium trioxide. Yours came out nice. Be prepared for the "possible" green tints to show themselves in a few years. Doesn't happen all the time, but may. don't panis about the groups yet. A barrel will break in and the "nut"  Wink behind the trigger can be adjusted for over travel.  Roll EyesI've never played with 40-65, but a good friend of mine has. I'll give him a shout for any advice and let you know. I must really compliment you on style balance. You did a good job. You might, just for fun, look again at barrel length. And this is purely cosmetic. Hang a white rag or piece of paper over it to simulate different barrel lengths. You might find you like a different length and it ain't a goin' ta be effectin' performance. If not, get ta be out thar and a shootin that thar rifle. If'n ya decide you don't like it, give me a shout. Might find I like tryin' 40-65. It's that good Chuckster. I'll try and find a picture of a silmilar sporting rifle I did a long time ago. Good goin' man.

Dick
  

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb. - Benjamin Franklin
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Redwing
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #2 - Jun 11th, 2009 at 5:38pm
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Sweet !!!

Gemmer Style…

Is that a “hooked breach” and where did you get the DST ???

Nice Job !!!

Ed….

  
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trapdoor Dick
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #3 - Jun 11th, 2009 at 8:22pm
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Well Ed, actually it's not really a Gemmer style. First, the DST are nothing more than L&R early Hawken. So I suppose you could say that these are Gemmer style. The only knowm Gemmer Hawkens never had TD locks in them . I am fortune enough to have been able to handle, measure and photograph the example in the Missouri Historical Society. Of course this was unfortunately AFTER I had made a Gemmer Hawken to the description and drawings in John Bairds book. The original Gemmer Hawken used stock and in the case of the MHS rifle an original Cadet rifle barrel. The Lock was not TD, but Hawken. Etc, etc. I've studied John Phillip Gemmer for almost 30 years. He made some neat and unique stuff. I just kinda expanded on his concepts. TD Nw trade guns, Sporting rifles, Pennsylvania long rifles and now am in the process of a 32-40 TD Schuetzen. They're great fun and Chuckster did a great job on his. 

Dick
  

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb. - Benjamin Franklin
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trapdoor Dick
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #4 - Jun 11th, 2009 at 8:24pm
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OPPS! These above are a few shots of the original in the Missouri Historical Society that I am not supposed to publish. Is this publishing????

Dick
  

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb. - Benjamin Franklin
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Anvils
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #5 - Jun 11th, 2009 at 9:50pm
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Anyone know where I can find information and pictures on the sporter trapdoors made by Carlos Grove from Denver Colorado?

Thanks, Norm
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #6 - Jun 11th, 2009 at 10:00pm
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Try a search for Carlos Gove on Google, not Grove.

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marlinguy
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Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #7 - Jun 11th, 2009 at 10:01pm
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Chuckster,
That is drop dead gorgeous! Just when I thought I didn't need a Trapdoor!
  

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trapdoor Dick
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #8 - Jun 11th, 2009 at 10:26pm
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See Marlinguy. Marlins are sure neat, Git some myself. But a TRAPDOOR> wow, now that's where it's at!! (boy, am I going to take some heat over that statement Undecided). How about a Pennsylvania longrifle caplock conversion?? Shocked
  

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb. - Benjamin Franklin
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alemonkey
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #9 - Jun 11th, 2009 at 11:12pm
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Wow, that's a real work of art you have there.  Nice job.
  
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Chuckster
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #10 - Jun 12th, 2009 at 11:35pm
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Thanks to all of you for the kind words. It is a fun project, not complete yet. As Dick stated it is not a Gemmer, just wanted a shooter.

I found it easier to make a new tumbler than try to modify origional parts. Mild steel and Kasenit works well. A fly for a three notch tumbler is a little harder to do than one for two notches, although two notches are plenty for a target rifle. Triggers are homemade, but similar to the Hawken ML triggers you can buy. Thought about a hooked breech but decided it was more trouble than it was worth. Just a long tang to mount the sight. Solid breeches generally shoot better than a hooked breach, one less joint.

Had a rifle called "Old Green". Stained with chromic acid. Always test before using chromic acid. Think it has to do with where the wood grows and the copper content of the soil.

Back to trying to develop a load. Beginner at reloading and learning a lot, in particular, what not to do. Next project is a Hepburn.

Again, thanks to all for the help and encouragement
Chuck
  
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trapdoor Dick
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #11 - Jun 13th, 2009 at 8:42am
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Good goin' Chuck. Haven't hooked with my 40-65 buddy, but I will. If'n he can offer any "sage" advise, and he's always full of that, will give you a shout. Hey, want to make one of those tumblers for me?  Smiley

Dick
  

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb. - Benjamin Franklin
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Chuckster
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #12 - Jun 13th, 2009 at 10:10pm
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Dick, Not in the business, but have made a set of drawings for a tumbler that fits my Springfield. Will mail you a set if you will E-mail me an address. Does not convert well for posting. A new Springfield tumbler with a fly would be fairly easy to CNC machine. Probably a minimum of twenty-five. Will look into it if there is enough interest. Think someone is making a two notch tumbler. Don't know if it has a fly.

Appreciate the pictures of the origional Gemmer.
Chuck
  
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Joe_S
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #13 - Jun 14th, 2009 at 7:18am
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I might be interested in a Three notch tumbler if you decide to go that route. . Joe S
  
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trapdoor Dick
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Re: Trapdoor Build
Reply #14 - Jun 14th, 2009 at 10:39am
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Chuck. Don't think the guy making the two notch is advertisinf a "finer trigger" and doesn't specify a fly or not. I'll have to backtrack and see if'n I can find it. Sent you a PM with address. Will email also. double coverage.  Wink  Tuning the TD stock lock is iffy, but can  be done. The line between a nice trigger and visiting half cock every time is kinda fine. Unless it is absolutely necessary, I try to use a good "new style" lock with fly if I'm after a target rifle with set triggers. When I built my first trapdoor thing  Shocked 25 odd years ago, it was a TD North West Trade Gun. Combo of my favorite cartridge/favorite flintlock. It had to have the big trigger/trigger guard combo to be right, so I worked on that tumbler (maybe more than one) till I was able to get what I wanted. Still have that puppy and still works just as good. 

Guten Tag, Dick
  

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb. - Benjamin Franklin
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