Sylvanite
Member
Well, a pretty piece of antler, anyway.
It's an empty primer cup. The customer wanted a pen of this style made from his antler and ammo, so he gave me a piece of each. I disassembled the ammunition, disposed of the powder and priming compound, drilled the bullet, cut the case, turned the antler, and reassembled everything.Originally posted by alamocdc
<br />... that looks like an unspent primer in the end of the casing.
Originally posted by Rifleman1776
<br />... "disposing" of the priming compound sounds like a very dangerous operation to me. That stuff is so sensitive looking at it can set it off. I hope you deactivated first with oil or something.
I appreciate the sentiment, but a lot of credit should go to Don Ward (aka its_virgil) who has been making pens like this longer than I have been making pens at all. If you look at http://www.penturners.org/oldalbums/its_virgil/4 bullets Nov 03.jpg you'll see that this design is mostly derivative. About the only original thing on this pen (meaning I haven't seen anyone else do it before) is using the case head as the finial. Even that was just a matter of doing a hidden clip, which has also been described elsewhere.Originally posted by jtate
<br />This is the first cartridge or bullet pen that I've ever seen that I actually like, aesthetically. This ons is appealing as a pen not just as a clever use of a cartridge.
I hid the clip using a technique similar to that described by Bill Jackman (bjackman) in http://content.penturners.org/articles/2006/recessedpf.pdf. The main difference is that the clip is held in place by a snug fit between a tenon on the antler, and the inside of the case head, rather than by a modified pen kit part.Originally posted by workinforwood
<br />I somehow must have missed or maybe I just forgot how you made that clip happen. Any idea where that was?
I've thought about that. I already sell 30-06 and 308 cartridges with bullet nibs drilled and sized for slimline/euro kits. I've also made and would consider selling versions drilled and sized for cigar or perfect-fit kits.Originally posted by maxwell_smart007
<br />There would certainly be a market for this if you managed to package the kit!
Originally posted by alamocdc
<br />Whew! You had me a bit worried there, Eric. I agree that the unpent primer looks better, but try taking the pen through the airport. [:0][B)][!] I don't know anyone who would be pleased to have an $80 pen confiscated b/c the rocket scientists hired by TSA are incapable of logical thought.[]
Originally posted by alamocdc
<br /> I don't know anyone who would be pleased to have an $80 pen confiscated b/c the rocket scientists hired by TSA are incapable of logical thought.[]
Cutting the slot for the clip was the second operation on this pen (modifying the clip was the first). I put the case in a vise oriented so the headstamp "R-P" would line up with the clip. Then I cut a line into the case using a regular hacksaw marking where the slot would go. Next, I plunge-cut through the brass with a small cut-off wheel on a Dremel tool - just deep enough to expose a hole. Then, using a hacksaw blade that I had ground down the end to little more than teeth, I widened the cut to form the remainder of the slot.Originally posted by skiprat
<br />... please let us ( or me ) know how you cut the slot in the casing for the clip.
Originally posted by Sylvanite
So, thanks to Don, Bill, Mike, Russ, and the countless others who's lessons have been invaluable to me.
Regards,
Eric