So, good progress in the last couple of days. All of the inletting is done, so all of the parts are located to the stock. I have to say, the biggest challenge to date was locating and inletting the escutcheons for the barrel keys. Trying to inlet oval recesses, four of them to boot, was a bit of a challenge. In addition to that, the lock bolt escutcheon is located and inletted.
All of the screw holes through the stock are located and drilled, and all of the screw holes are tapped. One key difference between originals and most modern replicas is the manner in which the upper tang and the trigger bar are held in place. Most modern replicas have tangs and trigger bars that are far too short, and do not extend the full length of the wrist of the stock. Additionally, they are held in place to the stock by wood screws.
Originals used a different, far stronger method. The upper tang and trigger bar both extend all the way down the wrist, and are screwed together, to one another, through the wrist of the stock. Remember, these were "weapons" in addition to "rifles" - if things got really out of hand, you might just have to use it like a club. No one wants to break the stock when it reaches that point. Here it is with some "construction" screws holding the tang and trigger bar together, and holding the lock in place. The trigger bar will, of course, suck down tighter with the proper shorter screw in place that doesn't want to hit the trigger guard.
This illustrates the difference in the tangs on this rifle and the Lyman Hawken.
So, yeah, good progress. I'm relieved that the inletting is done. All that is left is to finish up and mount the under rib and ramrod thimbles. Then I get to take it apart and start finishing everything. Can't wait to see how the tiger stripe starts to come out.