New Baby Artillery
 

Today was great! Took the day off work and paid a visit to Art Buchanan.

I was fortunate enough to see his collection and eat lunch with him and his wife.

Picked up a Baby Artillery from him. I don't think many of these are out there.

Blue was done by Charles Danner

Two more.

Art's #27

That is another "Luger first" for me. Thanx for showing your new Luger.

Aww. Now that's a cute gun! Well done.

That is like getting a new puppy that is already housebroken! I like it! Art is one of the super resources for the hobby...glad to see he is still at the top of his game.
Ron

Next phase of the project will be a 3 inch cannon assembly.
It should be a fun kit when it's all finished.
Can't wait to get it on the range.

...???...What is that??? :confused:

Aw, c'mon...you know what he means...a receiver with a 3" barrel and full toggle train. Something that he can just swap out with the shortened arty upper and put it on the baby frame. He is essentially building a multi-barrel baby Luger kit.
Ron

Another 3" barrel? Looks like one in the picture- 9MM or .30?

How about one like this?:evilgrin:

I do like GT's barrels but I don't think it would be right for this build. Going to go with a standard barrel cut down to 3 inches.

The 3 inch baby photographed above is not mine used Art's for a size comparison.

Art cutting a frame.

It took a little fitting but I was able to get the 1906 cannon mounted on the baby frame.

Got everything working perfect I think, but it looks like I will need to have two side plates.

Thanks for the pictures of Art making the frame mods! Your 1906 upper looks fine too.
Not unusual to need two side plates to make two different uppers function with the same lower; those pesky tolerances again.

I will be very curious to know if you can get all 3 uppers(the 3" when you make it included) to function with the same main spring.

The shortened frame makes for an exacting job to get the mainspring the correct length and strength. My 3" 7,65mm upper and the bull 9mm will function with the same mainspring; but it took a while and cutting several springs to get the "right" one. It also takes Privi or hand loaded 7,65mm to function- fiocchi just won't work.

My Thanks! as well! :thumbup:

Do you have any more? I enjoy viewing pics of fabricators at work! It almost makes me want to get off the couch and do something...Almost... :D

Me too! Almost.:eek:

But then my welding technique is "puddle and burn"; so maybe the sofa is safer.:evilgrin:

No more build photos. I’m sure I’ll be back at Art’s shop soon so I’ll try to get some more.

Went to the range today and fired 100 rounds of WWB through the baby.
50 with the artillery top end and 50 through a P08 4 inch cannon.
No issues whatsoever!

I don’t know if this means the 3 inch will work fine, but it’s a good sign I believe.

4 inch barrel mounted.

A really good sign.:thumbup:
Your 3" will likely be fine in 9mm, or are you thinking of a .30 bbl some time too?

Sticking with 9mm.

Many thanks for the pictures, most enjoyable they were. Art has been very generous to the Luger community.

Some years ago Art was kind enough to visit with me about Lugers. He shared his wrench and vise designs with me; was a great help for me to get started in changing out barrels on the Luger correctly.

He mentioned how he cut the section out of the grip for a baby build, very innovative and using what you got......very well. The jig setup is the ticket for fine results.

We have never met, twas good to see him in the picture. Sure is a pretty place he has, a lucky guy I think.

Art is a craftsman to be sure.

Art knows how.

Rick W.

Sounds to me like you are on a roll!!! :cheers:

Art was kind enough to send me an "in progress' photo of the 3 inch 9mm American Eagle upper he is building me.

He did note that the barrel was not screwed in all the way for the photo if you are wondering.

Thought I would share it with you all.

Seeing a master gunsmith at work is always a treat for me. I would love to have 1/5 of the skill someday.

I got the 3 inch cannon assembly back from Art today.

He did an amazing job on it, especially considering how pitted the donor gun was.

I can't get over how cool this thing looks, thanks Art!

nice set :)

very nice....kinda reminds me a little of the Bulgarian 7 shot.

After switching the sear bar (and related springs) from the 1906 to 1908 style I have found that I can now use just one side plate for both uppers.

Pretty happy about that because the original side plate for the artillery is in slightly better shape and it’s one less thing to drop at the range.