Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
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After finishing the 6:1 scale model of a Thompson sub-machine gun, I started on the next project.
Thompson project - https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/my-most-ambitious-project-yet.1512658/
My latest is a 6:1 scale replica of a 1903 30-06 Springfield rifle. I decided to make al parts functional except the trigger assembly. The stock is a piece of Bill Moran's rosewood. The metal parts are sterling silver with a few gold accents. The silver was patinated black.
I assembled blueprints, parts lists and diagrams ... and my mint 1918 Springfield rifle. The start was converting a good drawing into a scale sheet. Once the millimeter size of all dimensions was converted to 6"1 ratio, I started with the barrel, chamber, and action. From there the bolt and firing pin assemble was next. The rest was manufacturing all the fittings, swivels, front pieces, butt plate, etc. As a final extra, I made a bayonet and scabbard ... plus a clip of scale size ammo. There is a round in the chamber that can be dropped in the breach and loaded with the bolt. I made a mini ramrod to un-chamber the cartridge, as the seat is a perfect snug fit.
All work was done by hand with tiny saw blades (as small as 7/0), tiny drill bits, and files ... no milling machines or micro-lathes. The only turning was done by chucking a piece of brass wire in the handpiece and shaping the bullets with tiny files. I haven't done a final count, but ther are probably 100 separate pieces in the project.
The photos will show the steps of construction, the components in various stages, and the final rifle. There is a shot with it sitting on the full size rifle.
I will put in the photos over the next day, so I will place hold a bunch of spaces after this post for the photos.
Thompson project - https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/my-most-ambitious-project-yet.1512658/
My latest is a 6:1 scale replica of a 1903 30-06 Springfield rifle. I decided to make al parts functional except the trigger assembly. The stock is a piece of Bill Moran's rosewood. The metal parts are sterling silver with a few gold accents. The silver was patinated black.
I assembled blueprints, parts lists and diagrams ... and my mint 1918 Springfield rifle. The start was converting a good drawing into a scale sheet. Once the millimeter size of all dimensions was converted to 6"1 ratio, I started with the barrel, chamber, and action. From there the bolt and firing pin assemble was next. The rest was manufacturing all the fittings, swivels, front pieces, butt plate, etc. As a final extra, I made a bayonet and scabbard ... plus a clip of scale size ammo. There is a round in the chamber that can be dropped in the breach and loaded with the bolt. I made a mini ramrod to un-chamber the cartridge, as the seat is a perfect snug fit.
All work was done by hand with tiny saw blades (as small as 7/0), tiny drill bits, and files ... no milling machines or micro-lathes. The only turning was done by chucking a piece of brass wire in the handpiece and shaping the bullets with tiny files. I haven't done a final count, but ther are probably 100 separate pieces in the project.
The photos will show the steps of construction, the components in various stages, and the final rifle. There is a shot with it sitting on the full size rifle.
I will put in the photos over the next day, so I will place hold a bunch of spaces after this post for the photos.
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