Bruce Bump's "Brutus" Axe pistol

Bruce Evans

Bruce Evans

Joined
Sep 26, 1999
Messages
4,486
I am posting this up for Bruce Bump,I will let him post all the details for you.here are the pictures.
Bruce

BRUTUS_full_set.jpg


Brutus_composite.jpg
 
Damn - can't wait for the details. Bruce, you better limber up those fingers 'cause I want ALL the details. :D Man, I can't begin to imagine how many hours are in that piece. Wow. Amazing work.

Roger
 
Was waiting patiently for finished pic's. It's even more awe inspiring than I imagined. :eek: :cool:
 
I'd like to see more detailed pics of the damascus.

Obviously, this is a major realization - congrats to Bruce, and whoever the patron is.

Aligning the maple stripes with the barrel's damascus is a great touch.
 
Thanks for the great replys. Here are some facts:
Matchlock ignition. The serpentine has gold and ruby eyes and a spring loaded jaw that clamps the slow match. 15th century styling
Barrel: 1018,1084,15n20,203e cannister damascus and twisted
Bore the barrel: Mark Dehass
calibur: 38 (has a liner) was originally 58 cal. but because it went to Barbados it needed to be sized below .40
Axe Head: 1084 and 15n20 1000 layers of random forged to shape with laddered edges, bored and breeched for key.
Wood is fiddleback maple from Chuck Bybee
Springs: 1095
plates, snake, trigger housing and powder box is 1018
furniture: bronze
Ram rod stores in barrel (acme threads)
Trigger is folded. simply push the protruded portion forward and the trigger swings down and the snake lifts its head.
Jere Davidson: gold wire inlays and engraving
Jay Hendrickson: silver wire and MOP inlays in the wood
Doug Turnbull: blueing and color case hardening
Brian Bump: serpent design (he is my son)
photos: Badegallery (they were set up at the Oregon show)

I did take a long time because there was no blueprint to go by. Many of the parts were made 2 or 3 times before they fit and worked. My most challenging piece yet but I couldnt have done it without help from others on the embellishments. It was Jay Hendricksons first ever gun silver and pearl inlays. He asked Bill Morans advice before he started work on it and Bill said "Dont do it...just send it back". Im glad Jay didnt take his advice
 
Joss the pics dont show all the steels in the damascus very well. You have to take it outside to really appreciate it. There is no pure nickel in the mix but with the hot tank blueing it shows greys,blues,black,and browns. The stripes matching the twists in the barrel is a pleasant surprise. :)
 
I didnt keep track of the hours but I had it at the Oregon Show 3 times. The first year it was just a hand drawing, the next year it was the barrel and axe and finally this year it was completed. Of course I made knives also during those years too.
 
I've seen this piece from the start all the time thinking Bruce is nuts. I still think he is but he sure pulled it off. These pictures are great but if you ever get a chance to see it first hand you'll appreciate it even more. I do think Bruce forgot to add an extra zero to the final price.
 
Bruce,

This is really really really really amazing. My jaw dropped when I first lay eyes on the pics.

Congratulations on such an achievement, you're a true artist.

Marcel
 
WOW!!!!!!!!!! That is really impressive!!!

I cant imagine how much time you have in that thing!?! :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
Keith, Yes it was commisioned. He made payments which allowed me to pay bills while working on it. The down side is when it is finally finished all the money is gone. No big pay day.

Joss, What looks like calipers is actually the bullet mould.
 
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