The Strauss Pirate 36 caliber

Way ahead of you Brad.
I've been archiving these photos since Bruce started. About a week after final pics, we go to print. I'm going to do this one with actual captions as posted by Bruce to tell the complete story, so we'll have to work that out. Luckily Bruce doesn't cuss too much so we'll be able to keep the book G-rated.

Actually the most time consuming part is photo shopping my smiling face in all the pics........Mwaa ha ha

Steve
 
Thanks for that Brad, It just seems a little quiet but I see the views are stacking up. Its nice to see that. There are about 200 photos so far so that coffee table book may have wheels.
A girl friend and a 5k run? You must be exausted. Congrats!
I'm great actually... Had a "first date" with a girl Friday night, and ran a 5k for St. Jude yesterday in Memphis. Thanks for asking... :)

OH, you meant about the gun and knife... I think I am literally SO speechless as your abilities, that I don't want to just keep posting things like "OMG", "WOW", or "That's AMAZING!"... But those all apply here. I think a collection of these pics needs to go into one of those coffee-table books for posterity. (Ahem, Mr. Janik... paging Mr. Janik....)
 
Watching with awe and trying to visualize just what you're planning. Not to good at that, you keep
announcing decisions that are completely obviously in hindsight but I hadn't seen coming (like the
exposed damascus lock bar).

I definitely want a copy of the book of this! Have there been other books may from these threads?
 
I think you can buy a copy direct from the publisher. Steve would know. So far there are only two books from these threads, The Newell 45 and The Justice Bowie. Both can be reprinted on request.
There are no blueprints to go by so I'm flying by the seat of my pants.
Watching with awe and trying to visualize just what you're planning. Not to good at that, you keep
announcing decisions that are completely obviously in hindsight but I hadn't seen coming (like the
exposed damascus lock bar).

I definitely want a copy of the book of this! Have there been other books may from these threads?
 
Bruce, I was passed out by 8:15pm last night... haha...

And I want a Bruce Bump: The Most Interesting Man in the World, Knife and Gun Compilation book. I don't care if it comes on a dolly, to get it in the door! :)
 
Stop Stop I'm blushing now. Dont stop Dont stop I didnt get enough attention as a child, had to wait until I'm 60 years old.
Bruce, I was passed out by 8:15pm last night... haha...

And I want a Bruce Bump: The Most Interesting Man in the World, Knife and Gun Compilation book. I don't care if it comes on a dolly, to get it in the door! :)
 
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Brad and Dan,
I've previously published 3 WIP books for Bruce.
"The Newell .45 Set"
"The Justice Bowie"
"The CKCA Cancer Fighter"

With Bruce's permission, these are available for sale from the Publisher. I would have to put up a share link that you could then view and purchase from. There would be nothing monetarily in it for either of us but Bruce would have to OK it since it's considered "vanity publishing"

If I were you guys and Bruce OK's it, I would have the books shipped to him for a signature to add to it's value. He probably won't mind, doesn't look like he does much all day anyway, HA HA.

Steve
 
Thats right I forgot about the Cancer Fighter. I dont have a copy of that one.
If somebody wants a copy of any of these coffee table books its fine with me. They are nearly 100% photos. Not every picture from here made it into the books but just the best and more informative ones went to the publisher so the quality is great. I love to take them to shows and let makers and collectors thumb through them.

Brad and Dan,
I've previously published 3 WIP books for Bruce.
"The Newell .45 Set"
"The Justice Bowie"
"The CKCA Cancer Fighter"

With Bruce's permission, these are available for sale from the Publisher. I would have to put up a share link that you could then view and purchase from. There would be nothing monetarily in it for either of us but Bruce would have to OK it since it's considered "vanity publishing"

If I were you guys and Bruce OK's it, I would have the books shipped to him for a signature to add to it's value. He probably won't mind, doesn't look like he does much all day anyway, HA HA.

Steve
 
I spent some quality time on fine fitting the folding blade and lock bar today. Because they are hardened they require diamond files now.

The blade and bar pivot holes recieved a lapping with fine valve grinding paste and the liners are now drilled for a 3/16" pivots. The blade pivot hole is drilled and tapped in the frame for a 4-40 pivot bolt and both liners are also drilled and reamed to accept 3/16" pivot dowells. I may still go with bronze, havent quite decided yet.

I drilled and fitted a pin for the blade to stop against. The trouble with some lock backs is the spring isnt tight enough to prevent the blades edge from contacting the lock bar when closing the blade fast. Its easy to overpower the spring and put a dull spot on the edge in the closed position so a positive stop pin will solve that little problem.

Also rough cut a 1018 spacer to house the lock bar return spring. It will be a single leaf type spring so a slot will need to be cut into the spacer for it and some relief cut in for the bar to travel.

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Love this thread.

To bad I'm not allowed to own something like that where I live... :sad:

Thanks for taking the time to post these pics.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
Thats a shame for sure. We sometimes forget how good we have it here. Muzzle loading firearms are legal to make, use and resell here. Carrying this one is another matter. We need a concealed weapons permit or else strap it visibly on the hip.
Love this thread.

To bad I'm not allowed to own something like that where I live... :sad:

Thanks for taking the time to post these pics.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
Hey Bruce,
this one is looking pretty sweet! It has been a while so I thought I better stop in and say HI. Your WIP's are the best. Keep up the great work buddy & I'll be back!
 
More work on the lock bar and top edge of the blade. This is what I referred to as an exposed spine and lock bar. The liners are contoured and just a tad lower than the bar, also the bar is rounded on top. This should help to show the damascus pattern better too.

The blade spring spacer is now pinned to the liners and frame with .125" pins. I cut a slot for a stainless steel flat leaf spring and compressed it for trial and error fit and tension. The shorter it gets the more tension it has. I think its about right now as it holds the blade closed well although it hurts the thumb a little to unlock it. It may need more attention later.

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Thats a shame for sure. We sometimes forget how good we have it here. Muzzle loading firearms are legal to make, use and resell here. Carrying this one is another matter. We need a concealed weapons permit or else strap it visibly on the hip.

In Belgium, we can own muzzle loaders... but only original muzzle loaders. Newly made guns are licensed. Which doesn't make any sense at all, but that's the way it is.

So original muzzleloader --> free, replica or newly made --> license, paperwork, background checks etc...

Kind regards,

Jos
 
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I'm paying attention Bruce. With Brad on this one..I've ran out of WOW - OMG - AWESOME comments, and just sit back and watch in awe now :cool:
 
I'm paying attention Bruce. With Brad on this one..I've ran out of WOW - OMG - AWESOME comments, and just sit back and watch in awe now :cool:

Thanks guys,
Just a few crickets in here sometimes but as long as I'm not talking to myself its all good. The family is bored with all
this stuff so I 'rely on y'all.


today was blade grinding day. I sprayed layout fluid on the edge and scribed a half way line to grind to. This blade is already heat treated and flat so its important to use the line so the blade tip will center. If it doesnt center its because the liners are not drilled straight. We'll see when the screws are all tightened.

I also cut and surfaced the left side front bolster from .187" thick 1018 steel. One more thing is the right side liner is in the process of being replaced for one that more closely matches the left side. this way both sides will be the same and the barrel will have two mounting screws into the breech plug instead of only one on the left side.

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I haven't made a comments,but I will say,
Bruce,I can't get enough of your WIP threads.
Great to watch an artist at work.

God bless,Keith
 
Bruce, Its really starting to come together. I like the way you design and engineer on the fly.
Very cool and unique looking damascus. :D I always enjoy seeing your forgings. Love the grind on that blade!

Thanks for sharing, and taking the time to post this WIP.

God Bless YA!
 
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Bruce this WIP is keeping me very interested...not a chance of becoming bored :thumbup1:

Does your blade grinding/file guide have carbide inserts? It's hard to tell for sure from the pictures.
 
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