Learning a new skill takes practice. For a long time, I have wanted to make a tool set to go with the heirloom pistols I make. I remember looking at magnificent guns in the Metropolitan Museum in New York City and marveling at the detailed work in just the tools that accompanied them. Black powder dueling pistols with matching ramrods and powder measures, wooden handles to match the gun’s stock. I decided I would give it a try.
First, I started taking photos of tools at antique gun shows; then, I clipped some pages from auction house catalogs. My good friend Ted Yost gave me some guidance on what materials work best. Now, I hadn’t used a wood lathe since junior high, so I needed to do a little studying. I purchased a wood lathe with chisels from a retired shop teacher. I started practicing on hardwood I bought at a big box store, trying to get a feel for the machine and how the chisels cut. Woodworking creates so much sawdust and chips I decided it was best to work outside. After a few tries, I got the handle shape I wanted and created a blueprint of sorts for them.
Between the tool shafts and handle is a transition piece called a ferrule. Many antique sets used brass. I needed steel so I could match the bluing on the pistols. Since I was planning on making a number of sets over time, I had a friend make my ferrule design on his CNC machine. By using carbon steel, I could blue, chrome or color case the ferrules as needed.
For the handles, I needed ivory, but that was out of the question. The pistol’s grips are mammoth ivory. I found an ivory substitute that comes in round stock, great for turning. I purchased enough of the 1″ round stock for six 4″ handles. Two would be for practice. The material was a resin-based product that cut very well on both the wood and metal lathe, which I used to bore the holes for the handles.
The tool shafts are made from O1 tool steel in 1/4″ and 5/16″ diameters. The cleaning rod shaft was bored and tapped for a standard 8-32 jag and bore brush. I made a push punch for the MSH cross pin and a screwdriver for the grip screws. Once blued, they were glued inside the white handles. To finish the set, Glen Dean of Custom Chests is making a wooded box in which guns and tools will be displayed. I can’t wait to see the finished project.
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