"Firefly" Gun Build

[RaceM]

Progress at last!

Took a long time to figger out the mounting system. Originally intended to just go with a unit tucked into the loading lever slot but didn’t think it’d be rigid enough.

So, on with a barrel band. Underslung gas tube is now secured by clamping pressure from the band, and a hooked stub in the loading lever slot (secured by the loading lever pivot screw) insures that it won’t shoot off. That hooked stub is gonna be replaced by a plate that will join the tube to the rammer hole.

Pretty crude lookin’ at the moment but I’m a long ways from done.

 

[RaceM]

Added the mounting frame directly to the hooked stub rather than fab an entire new piece. A couple spot welds tacked ‘em together, then some solder as insurance.

Pressure regulator and power piston soldered to the mounting frame. Lots of cleanup to be done there on the excess solder, then some smaller pieces to be added so it all ties together solid.

Left some grit inside the barrel band during a fit-up (oops) and scratched up the barrel, so it’s getting refinished along with the cylinder at the end.

 

[RaceM]

‘Bout as done as she’s gonna get for now. Just plain ran out of useful bits in the brass stash. Maybe next run to the junkyard I’ll find something to finish off the space between the regulator and piston on the bottom.

Pretty much came out as envisioned, though a tad heavier than I figgered. Tips the scale right at 3 pounds unloaded. But, I managed not to screw up the balance so she still points just fine.

Refinished the cylinder and barrel to keep her from rusting until I get back to it. It looks so purty now I might have to buff all the brass back out to bright.......

 

[kBob]

This is looking very Steam Punk and I am sure Agatha the Girl Genius would be happy with it.

I like it.....except that it was done to a gun I would have happily traded one of my brass octagonal .44s for and paid shipping for both of us for. Darn it, all I seem to find of the repro Georgia made guns are .44s and there you are hacking up a .36. Dang!

But continue please.

-kBob

 

[RaceM]

Hey, Bob. Not exactly hacked up. Still got the loading lever bits & front sight and could/may convert it back with little work. You prolly wouldn't have wanted this one anyways. It's a "bitsa", cylinder & barrel #'s don't match the frame, and the arbor's loose. Keep lookin', you'll find what you want.