alphawolf45 wrote:Metalshaper, you are extremely fortunate to have a friend to share your home workshop adventures with...Other than wife and pets, I have nobody around here to share personal adventures with..>>>>> Snipped<<<<
I had to look up the Jenks civil war breechloading carbine as I was not familiar with it...You have an original to copy or find drawings somewhere or ? ...Certainly I wouldnt worry over getting correct bore and grooves dimensions unless I first also had all other details absolutely authentic....
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Alpha,
Sometimes it's a benefit... other times
Marlow and I tend to Butt heads on some things, naturally. There are certain skill sets he has ( as well as a Mongo shop ) that I can't get close to matching... and there are certain things I know how to do or a way to improvise that he hadn't thought of
he comes from a more traditionally trained background and mine is mainly self taught.. mostly it works itself out.
The Jenk's is something I discovered in a book, back when I was 16-17, while cruising through the HS library. Something about it just clicked with me. That and Billinghurst's Revolver rifles!!! now 30+ years later and with some experience and Skills learned?
I'm working towards making them for Myself! I've been fortunate having friends and mentors, from various forums, assist me. Some have come to me in a totally unsolicited manner. Two gentlemen have approached me by e-mail when they saw I was trying to make a Jenk's. BOTH of them own originals! one a carbine and another a smooth bore. Both of these guys went out of their ways to provide me with MANY photos and measurements. these have been invaluable, coupled with some drawing I found, that had been done just at the close of that war period.
As far as my Wife and son are concerned.. mainly they just look at me and smile, when I come up from the shop all excited about something.. or when I show them my latest build! " that's nice dear!" says the wife.. "Cool Dad, but where do the cartridges go?" asks my son
As far as no one to share with?? Awe come on... I'm always lurking about here or on the other forums! and I certainly appreciate your efforts, skill and experiences building your projects. and Like I've said before, I sure learn a BUNCH, hangin out here or on other 'builder' forums!!! while it would be sad if you stopped gun building, I'd be just as excited to see your motor builds and your How-to's that would come from them!! another fascination for me is the old one lung, Hit & Miss engines!!!
Gonna go now
Respect Always
Jonathan
I will be interested in seeing your final product. I'm sure it will WOW as usual! I assume it will be case hardened, when your finished?? 
Stopped when I got to the 'snail'.. I gotta practice a bit more with my baby rotary table! before I jump back in to finish that portion of the job!! 
