Coming soon from Rooks Castle Armouries: Stunt WG!

[Rook]

This is ONLY a show off thread to show what I'm working on.

Please DO NOT ask how much, when will they be for sale, etc.

When such information is available, it will be posted publicly.

These are a "Hero-Stunt" solid cast Webley WG, .455/.476



http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/solidwebley2.jpg
http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/solidwebley3.jpg
http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/solidwebley4.jpg

While a traditional "stunt" gun would basically be one solid chunk with no
moving parts... well, you all know I can't leave well enough alone.

-Single piece cold cast, pressure cast barrel/grip assembly.
-Cast metal release lever and lanyard loop which is solid cast and not
"floppy" like my other pistols.
-Grips are seperately cast as well.

They're a bit lighter than my other Webley because they lack the
solid metal stirrup latches and hinge pin, plus all the screws to hold
those parts in place.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with how they're turning out! I'm going to be
attempting a new paint technique as well that (if all goes according to
plan...) should give it a more realistic finish. Still no blueing though.
Haven't figured out how to fake that yet without rubbing some sort of
oil on the things.

Russ

[Mountaineer]

My two cents: check out DuraCoat finishing. It's made to cover...well, whatever you got.

If you can work an air-brush, you can apply this stuff.

Below, I linked the standard colors page, but you can play around on the site and figure out what would work for you.

Link: http://www.lauerweaponry.com/item-detai ... N=81523378

[Rook]

I've long looked at the duracoat stuff, especially their "blued"
color paint, but from the reviews people have said it comes out...
well... blue. And I really don't want a Smurf gun.

Any idea how well it would work on materials other than steel?

I've been tempted to try and cold cast iron, but I have a feeling that
it might fall out of suspension before the resin kicks since it's heavier
than AL.

Russ

[M1917]

Very nice Mr. Rook! Have you considered making a true "stunt" revolver, made of a hard rubber?

[Mountaineer]

In some research for a gun project I have, I found where someone used the classic gun blue and while it looked great, it came out looking very new-gun blue. While you see this on old-style revolvers, sometimes referred to as "charcoal blue" (Link:http://www.uberti.com/firearms/single_a ... tleman.php) it wasn't what I'd pictured for an old military rifle/sidearm.

That color isn't something we, modern day folks, think of when we see old firearms. Not saying you need to fake a patina either, but military finishes are traditionally more utilitarian than pretty.

I'd imagine that any of the more black hues offered by Lauer's would work for what you are trying to accomplish.

Can it be applied to cast iron? My bet is yes. Their information suggests it (if it works on something porous like wood it should work on cast iron) and again, I've seen it applied on just about everything in my on-line research.

[Rook]

Very nice Mr. Rook! Have you considered making a true "stunt" revolver, made of a hard rubber?

Mister? Hey now, I work for a living!

Regarding rubber... no, never have. I know some people deal with the rubbers, but I'm not set up
to do injection moulding, which might be required for something like that. Or maybe not. I'm a
resin monkey, not a rubber one.

That color isn't something we, modern day folks, think of when we see old firearms. Not saying you
need to fake a patina either, but military finishes are traditionally more utilitarian than pretty.

The paint technique I'm going to try will give it a "ballpark" "War finish" that many of the Webleys
had, which was almost a parkerized type finish. It wasn't of course as that came later, but the coloring is
less modern blued and more neutral... I dunno... gunmetal-ish color? Kind of hard to describe.

Have to wait to get my new paint gun to try it out.

Russ

[M1917]

Sorry Rook...force of habit!

The only reason I ask is that I own an Artsee Mk VI, and the hammer spur got broken off inside of my gun safe. I don't know how it happened. I figure some of us might get rough with our toys, and want something more durable. Yours are aluminum, right? They'd probably survive a bit better.

[Mountaineer]

OK Rook, you're on it then. However, like Apple stuff, there's an app for that; DuraCoat has a "parkerized" finish too.

That look is what I call "patina". It is that "old-forgotten-gun-on-the-pawn-shop-self" look.

But, it sounds like you've got an angle and I wish you luck with your project.

Last bit: On the surface this looks totally off-topic, but the principles on making the new metal look old may help you out too.
Link: http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/080 ... index.html

[RaiderZee]

Great looking casts, Rook. These should do really well. Have you experimented with rubbing graphite into the finish? I've been pretty pleased with the results on my WGs, gives it an antique look. I'm also playing around with the Testors gunmetal metallizer spray. Trying to thin it then airbrush it as a really light topcoat that can be buffed.

RZ

[Rook]

Sorry Rook...force of habit!

The only reason I ask is that I own an Artsee Mk VI, and the hammer spur got broken off
inside of my gun safe. I don't know how it happened. I figure some of us might get rough
with our toys, and want something more durable. Yours are aluminum, right? They'd probably
survive a bit better.

Cold Cast Aluminum. It's a process where atomized AL powder is mixed into the resin
prior to pouring. I've had overall good luck with mine holding up, but I broke the hammer
spur off my prototype by dropping it on the floor. So they CAN be broken.

Thanks RZ! I haven't tried the trick with the graphite. I know others that have and they've
been pleased with the results! The Testor's metallizer paint is something I've also wanted to try.
I've seen people use it on other props and the results look pretty nice overall.

Russ

[jd pilot]

Another awesome job there Russ!

[Rook]

Well, finally starting to move on these ones. I have all the guns buffed, revealing
the shiny silver metal. I still have some minor seam sanding and cleanup to do,
and they should be ready to go out the door.

Got my airbrush up and running (finally) so I should be set to do my first paint
test of the new paint technique this weekend!

If all goes well, this will be a new standard for all my guns.

Russ

[Rook]

Monday I got the masking done and then Tuesday I painted the first coat.

Need to get back to it. As of now I still need to weather, then do the sealcoat
and final detail painting.

They're coming along!

Russ

[Rook]

LOL, there's not much to see right now... except 9 dark
black pistol shapes on the workbench.

I put the finishing touches on one pistol tonight, and weathered two more.

Only seven more to go.

I'm numbering these ones "RK3 S#" with the S = Solid Cast. Since it's solid cast, I can't put the numbers under the cylinder like I did with my other guns. I actually put it on the tail that the release lever goes over to close the pistol. You'd never even know it was there... unless you thumb the release lever to the "open" position.

I'll try & get some pics up this weekend.

Russ

[JC1972]

Awesome news, thanks Rook!

[Rook]

Finally was able to get back to working on these today. Got the paint
sealed, grips drilled properly and attached, release levers painted,
weathered and attached. Guns are all numbered now.

All that remains is detail painting on the shell casings and front sight,
plus touch up painting on the screw heads where needed.

It always amazes me how much time it takes to get these things
assembled/painted/weathered/etc., even when a couple parts are
removed from the equation.

Sooooo very close now.

Russ

[Rook]

Finally some pics!









http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/SOLIDWEBLEY5.jpg

http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/SOLIDWEBLEY6.jpg

http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/SOLIDWEBLEY7.jpg

[Mountaineer]

These look really darn amazing.

Kudos to you, sir.

[Quindy]

Incredible work. This looks great!

[Imahomer]

I've got the perfect word to describe your work on these guns............. WOW!


Now I'm going to have to keep an eye open for when you start taking orders for this cool piece!

Mike

[JC1972]

I've got the perfect word to describe your work on these guns............. WOW!


Now I'm going to have to keep an eye open for when you start taking orders for this cool piece!

Mike

Mike,
Rook already has:

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=48272

[Rook]

Thanks everyone! The flash in the first couple pictures makes them look
a bit lighter than they really are. They're not as jet black as my previous
guns, which is due to the new paint technique and clear coat. I may have
to strip down my own personal prop Webley and repaint it this way.

Russ

[Solent MKIII]

The finish on those turned out really good - just the right amount of scuff and wear, too.

[Rook]

The finish on those turned out really good - just the right amount of scuff and wear, too.

Thanks! I've really cut back on the amount of wear I add to
them compared to the first few I did in the other run. Live and learn I guess.

The wear is pretty much just where it would hit a holster or get worn from handling.

I need a nice sunny day so I can take them outside to get some good
pics in natural light.

Russ

[Rook]

Got all 10 guns finished today. Only took like 5 hours. Pretty
happy with how they all came out in the end.

Took a couple pictures outside in natural light. I'll try & get those up this
week so people can see what they're getting into.

If interested, check out the sales thread.

Russ

[Rook]

Finally got the new pictures edited...









http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/solidwebley14.jpg
http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/solidwebley15.jpg
http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/solidwebley16.jpg
http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/solidwebley17.jpg

[Imahomer]

They sure look nice. How much do you figure each one weighs?

Mike

[Rook]

Dunno, haven't tried weighing them. They are lighter than my other Webleys.

Russ

[Mark Raats]

Absolutely stunning work and in the end, a superior product!

Warmest congratulations mate.. you've done a great thing here..

Regards

MARK

[Rook]

Thanks Mark! I appreciate it!

Plan on shipping some out on Saturday, so if you're on the list, try and get payment to me soon
and your Webley will get to you soon!

Thanks!

Russ

[bbabich]

Messaged you on this.

[Rook]

PM replied to, and the first 3 (literally, #1-3) have shipped out!

I added some pics of the "funky trigger" pistols up in the sales thread
for anyone who's interested.

Russ

[Rook]

You're welcome Michael, glad you like it!

Yeah, it's all a learning process. When I started doing resin casting... what was it...
8-10 years ago, I didn't know 10% of the trade craft I know now. As time goes by, with any skill, you learn how to do things better.

Just shipped out 3 more today, #4, 7 and 9.

I may have to "borrow" your pictures Michael, they're just too good.

Russ