An Iowa Rifle....Bookout Style
Well fellers, I finally got around to making a replica of one of my Grandpa's last known rifle. I've had the original stock hanging in the shop for years, which I used as the pattern, but was to dern lazy to git around to it. The original was in striped maple and had been often repaired. Guess she saw some pretty hard use in 'er time. In making these short rifles, only one stock pattern was used and it sported a heavily V'd forearm. Only one barrel size across the flats. Only one barrel length. Only one long beaver tailed tang. Only one trigger guard and side plate (if a side plate was used at all, 'cuz washers were easier to install). I was told years ago that one of the Bookouts got the trigger guard idea while he visited cousins livin' in Illinois. Only 2 woods used for stocks and the barrels came in two calibers. I modified the stock to accept modern locks as the original lock plates were just a bit less than 1/8" thick at the bolster. You may stop by the shop and view this original any time, but NO!, you cain't take 'er home! This little rascal took me a tad less than 50 hours of flat-out humpin' to make! You can bet I was workin' like a man insane!! Now, th' reason that it's a flinter is pretty simple. I just plain needed one, and this one just happens to be interchangeable to cap lock.
The finished rifle.
The cheek piece is a duplicate of the very thin original.
The side plate and trigger guard profile made from scratch.
Brass 2 piece soldered & riveted trigger guard close up.
Well fellers, whacha think?