Toad Hall Rogue's Gallery
Here are a few shots of th' ol' fat man showing off and working his fanny perpendicular off. One shot is me checking the straightness of a new barrel with a bow and silk string. Is it straight? There are SOME dumb questions in this world after all!! Now, I've put some photos of my chunk gun on this page. Her barrel was made years ago by Douglass, it it had never been used. It's 44 inches long ,1 inch across th' flats, an' in fifty calibre. There's a fancy muzzle rest instead of a plain club foot. She sports th' same features as my regular hog rifles. You will notice my "trade-mark" brass-tailed lock with my cartouche stamped thereon. (My "brass tailers" must have established public acceptance over the past 30 years because several gun stockers, not associated with Toad Hall, have borrowed the style.) All the my rifles carry our original and distinctive iron or brass side plate. My family used to make Tennessee and Iowa/Missouri rifles and I continue their subtly distinct styles. I am the last of the Bookout family gun makers. Also presented is my newest wooden rifling machine. 1 in 48" twist and 5 left handed grooves! Down towards th' middle of th' page, you'll see something that even though I didn't earn it, I'm proud as hell oft. Dødsvinden or Death Wind has been kickin' some butt up in Norway. Her owner an' my good friend, Øyvind Flatnes is a dern fine shot. Good luck to'im!! Click on the thumbnail to see an enlargement of the photo, then use your browser's Back button to return to this page.
Miss Sally
Meet Nelly's newest sister, Miss Sally. She now lives abroad in Vienna, Austria. Werner Hanauska should be most happy with this prearranged marriage. She was born without a nose cap, like her eldest sister, and she's even a mite thinner. You sure cain't say I overfeed my stock blanks!
My Baby Chunk Gun: "Diana-Goddess Of The Hunt"
Here are a few shots of my over the log rifle recently completed. The forearm is extra heavy and diamond shaped reminiscent of some of the old Soddy-Daisy guns and has a oblong rest. Other than that, she is all Bookout.
Look real close. See? The ramrod hole is round. The hole was drilled after the channel was inlet and it came out within 1/64" which was pretty dern good in my book! Below is a recent photo of Diana and it gives better perspective of her overall size.
Terry Gray's New Chunk Gun, "Old Frank"
Below are a few photos of Terry and his new over the log rifle. He named it to honor his late Dad, who also provided the metal for the toe plate. I gotta admit that I've never seen one quite like it before! The barrel is 1 1/8" across the flats and .50 caliber. The stock is native Iowa walnut and there is no ramrod hole and groove. Weight is about 20 pounds.
Affiliations: N.M.L.R.A. - Buck Crik Muzzleloaders - charter member of the Contemporary Longrifle Association - Newton Lodge, No. 59, Iowa AF & AM - the Astronomical League- and a dues-paid-in full Viet Nam vet. ( I was a helicopter pilot for you 'Nam brothers who are curious - - in gunships, what else?)
Yep. It's me again. Just cain't git rid of me, can you?
Here is an experimental short video of the fatman forging out a heel of a butt plate. Turn on your sound. Click on the spot below to start'er up fer you...if your browser supports this function. When the gray & green screen pops up that says "Clip Info:" click on the button with a triangle on it to start it up. Remember, this ain't Hollywood, but hope you enjoy it!!