| Lin Robinson wrote: |
| The great kilt was probably cut down or abandoned altogether once the troops saw the advantages of trousers or leggings in the thick vegetation of N. America. |
| Mike W Grant wrote: |
| Some really interesting replies here, I think judging by the answers there is no good 'Culloden' period replicas out there that were Scottish made. I think the Derbyshire arms one is close but really reflects a post Culloden pistol. What I was really after was similar to the below:
I'm guessing there is little demand for them otherwise a manufacturer would be jumping on them to make repros! I may try engraving the DA one (I've ordered it), to make it look a bit more pre Culloden period! So would a dremmel with diamond engraving bit work on this pistol!? Somone mentioned that they were all 'blued' and virtually non exist with the blueing today - is this correct, would they blue a pistol that was engraved as it would hide most of the engraving i.e. all blued!? Mike |
| Lin Robinson wrote: |
| Lack of demand is one reason. Complexity of manufacture - if the maker wanted to be truly authentic - could be another. At any rate, the Derbyshire pistol, which is almost identical to the one I have - the handle for the pricker is shaped differenty - is the only inexpensive (relatively) pistol of this kind available. I am sure it was also made in India. |
| Chris Goerner wrote: |
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Lin, What is the "Derbyshire pistol" you are referring to. Any photos available? Is this a gun still in production and available on the general market? Chris |
| GG Osborne wrote: |
| I m,ay have shared this before, so if I have, forgive me for being redundant. You can make some significant improvements on the Indian-made Murdochs with a little expense and some elbow grease. First thing I did on mine was to use a combination of files and 80-grit sandpaper to remove alot of steel on the butt frame and slightly recontour it to be more authentic. There isn't a whole lot you can do, but the steel is fairly thick and you can make some improvements. This also recontours the brass medallion insert giving it more rounded corders and a lower overall profile. I took a Dremel took and made a big reduction in the thickness of the ram's horns...probably 50% of the width. Then I took a torch and heated the ram's horn rede hot and curled them inwards in a tighter pattern. At the made time I reworked the touch-hole pin to make it round and much, much smaller. The barrel was reworked by filing off the band at the muzzel end and softening the "Buck Rogers ray-gun" look. I ordered a cock set and trigger from TRS and installed them. When finished, I probably had less than $20 in parts and a much nicer looking pistol. Not any more authentic - it's still way too big - but still IMHO better looking. The last step was blueing which I did with a simple, cold blueing agent which I finished with 0000 steel wool. Now it looks a bit older and not shiney. This is a nice project for anyone who wants to put in the time. |
| Lin Robinson wrote: |
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There have probably been more projects ruined with a Dremel tool than have ever been completed. Take it from someone who knows. I use mine for removing stock on knife handles, polishing and cutting off screws, but no delicate work. If you want to engrave it, the only way to do it properly is with gravers and a chasing hammer. Otherwise you risk ruining your pistol. There is evidence of bluing remaining on these pistols. I suspect the engraving was picked out with silver or gold leaf on the more expensive pistols while the engraving on lesser guns was either filled with brass or left plain, more likely the latter. It will show up through the blued finish it just does not jump out at you. |
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So do you think engraving is possible and if so with what tool? Its got to be electric as I am not into hand stuff which requires patience? |
| Simon G. wrote: |
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Although I have never attempted this myself (yet), here is a thread (scroll to end of second post) showing quite a beautiful example of engravings (scottish-themed, to boot!) done on a baskethilt with a Dremel (equipped with a diamond engraving tool). On the other hand, Kirk Lee Spencer seems obscenely competent at making beautiful things... So perhaps not everyone can pull it off. But you could always ask him for pointers I suppose. I would be quite interested in trying this out myself, but I'll start with (hopefully) easier things. |
| Simon G. wrote: |
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Although I have never attempted this myself (yet), here is a thread (scroll to end of second post) showing quite a beautiful example of engravings (scottish-themed, to boot!) done on a baskethilt with a Dremel (equipped with a diamond engraving tool). |
| GG Osborne wrote: |
| Dremel tools are too slow for good, accurate cutting of anything but wood. It would take a very high RPM tool, probably operated on compressed gas or a special, high RPM electric tool with carbide or diamond-tipped bits to do anything other than make some scratches you would be ashamed of. Believe me, I know! |