I started with a pair of Denix dueling pistols. I ordered them because the description said they were wood handled. They are not. The handles are actually injection molded ABS with a fairly impressive paint job. I told the seller they needed to update their product description.
I yanked off the brass-colored barrels (literally YANKED them off... the whole thing was friction-fit together!) and removed the hammer and the cap holder. They were listed as "flintlocks" when in fact they were modeled on cap-lock pistols.
Anyway, I replaced the hammer with a custom machined brass knob because the trigger mechanism requires that you cock it in order for the action to work. I would have kept the hammer except that when the trigger was pulled, the hammer knocked into the tank that I was putting on.
The one thing I hate doing on ray guns is making the handle. So this time out I decided that the tinkerer who would have made these would have started with something familiar and modified it to fit his "invention".
I made these two as a matching pair, but I doubt I'll ever be able to replicate them beyond that. I used a lot of one-sy two-sey Thrift Store finds for the brass parts and the cage around the crystal chamber. Don't know if I'll find matching parts ever again!
What's still missing is a set of four Aether-power cartridges for each gun. I have them started, but i'm waiting to find the right finials for the ends. There's a port at the top back of each gun where they'll fit. They'll be held in place by a rare-earth magnet inside the port. The cartridges will fit into the hole and the finial will hang out the end, just above the back spike detail, for easy removal.
The other three cartridges will be supplied in a leather pouch affair like a mini bandolier.
I have plans for a rifle version of this as well. I need to get the rifle stock as a base. I'm probably going to use a blunderbuss as a stock. Just gotta find one that's the proper size.
Fun project overall... not a huge amount of expectation, not a huge amount of planning on the front end. I should have planned and drawn them better to start with. I could have saved a buttload of time in solving problems as I went. There was many a day that i would stare at a particular part or piece trying to figure out how t get it attached to another part or piece or thinking hard about what I'd use to bridge this to that.
A journey of discovery is what I've chosen to call it. If I don't I'll fall down weeping! LOL!!!
-Gordon
