Busby The BearCat

[Sharps40]

One hour and scrub in hot water with terry. Another hour and scrub in hot water with terry. Set it aside for the night. Coming on slow and fine. The blackened areas are normal, they will come and go and eventually turn it all plumb brown. So far the finish is very fine grained and I am pleased. I'll keep the humidity between 50 and 60% at room temperature (68F) and go with one hour sessions in the damp box tomorrow. It'll be a long day.

 

[Sharps40]

I think Busby's barrel is done and brown. The finish is not as even as I'd like but it looks pretty good with the beeswax in it. The Ruger Bird is very lightly stamped on the barrel and the finish is fine enough that it actually shows up rather well. Given these results, I am going to attempt to rust brown the cylinder. I think the roll marking will show up if I go slow and keep the finish thin and I'll try to keep the finish as even as I can without loosing the roll mark.

Before and after warming for the beeswax/Vaseline coating.

 

[TucsonDirt]

Sub'd -- love your projects, Sharps40!
I've never seen a turtle sight like that, it certainly makes the gun unique!

 

[Sharps40]

Busby is nearly done. Bottom end is back together and feels like its functioning right fine.

The parts to rust blacken, Ejector Rod Housing, Gate and Cylinder pin. The question remains, blacken or brown the cylinder. Looking it over I still ain't sure. The roll marked cat and bear are so fine. A kiss of 400g to start cleaning it up shows the roll markings are almost nonexistent where depth is concerned. I am worried that they will disappear in a brown. So, I'll think on it but I think even so, it'll look best with a brown cylinder......but if the markings fade.......

The screws were in not too bad shape.....they simply got cold blued in BWood Casey Super Blue, cleaned, oiled and installed. The frame will get no attention beyond its current state of cleanliness. I don't paint guns. This grip was used for a hammer and has marks on the butt and some wear but really, its 98% black. It can stay that way I think and look good with the brown barrel. The hammer sides were strapped lightly on 400g to clean off the light accumulation of rust near the top edges. The trigger was also strapped bright below the screw to match. There are a couple of machine marks too deep to remove but they are generally not noticeable and I think the silver, black and brown theme works.

The grips were in great condition. Almost no marks and no cracks or oil rot. So, a good cleaning with fff and some muzzleloader lube to pretty them up.

The crown was touched with the cutter once more after the browning was completed. It only needs wiped clean now and it will stay bright.

 

[Sharps40]

Goin with brown. Cylinder was in good shape, no real significant pitting so cleaned it with 400g and left the original bluing down in the roll mark. Hopefully, it will show through somewhat.

In any event, applying the Laurel Mtn Forge very very dry. Rag is so dry you can hardly tell if the acids are transferring to the steel. And, running the damp box at 80% humidity.

So, after the first three hour sit......glorious bronze.

I'm very pleased. And, got my fingers and toes crossed.

 

[Sharps40]

Done. Got the last .002" shim between the cylinder and frame too. Not absolutely necessary but worth the fight to get it in there to put that last lil bit of snugging up into the action. I'm happy with the feel and the look.

Stopped the cylinder rusting tonight in a baking soda wash with hot water. Then warmed it and loaded on the 50/50 beeswax/vasoline topper and then some muzzleloader lube while still warm. The cylinder is a touch lighter than the barrel but the engraving shows up well and has a hint of black down in the lines and grooves. I'm pleased that the roll mark was not lost in the rusting process. Not much I can do with the frame but even with its scuffs, it sure looks nice with the brown cylinder and barrel and brown and black walnut grips.

Time to go to the range with a file and a big case of .22s to get it sighted in. I think it would be well sighted at 10 to 15 yards. Plenty for bunnies and squirrels and rolling cans and moving golf balls.

 

[movingmd]

Another great piece! Awsome job sharps!!

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I have always wanted a Bearcat..

I know a guy who has the largest Ruger Collection on the planet & has a soft place for Bearcats, He has many..
Next stop bye I will have to ask about acquiring one CHEAP!! Yeah Right!!

 

[Sharps40]

Missed the warm day to final fire Busby yesterday. So, out today in the fridged morning and all is well. Busby ain't no Olympic Free Pistol but doing quite well and a warmer day and some settling the sight height, he'll be just fine in the woods and fields.

First 5 shots, Federal Champion, 10 yards. Very low, just like I figgered. aiming at the top of the 3 1/8" paster. Final front sight height will have to be filed in, probably somewhere between .18" and .250" tall. But, not a bad first group.

Aiming at the top of the target backer dropped some rounds right into the red, when I wasn't shivering. More practice, but Busby should make a fine Pot Gun for bunnies and squirrels.

Finished up by ringing some steel at about 20 yards. 4 out of 6 hits and then I went to the car and held onto the exhaust manifold to warm my fingers. And from there, over to rough zero Chingachgook the 3030.

 

[SATCOM]

Sharps40,

Black powder and grease on the grips! Is it a very old technique going back to days where everybody's gun was black powder? The black powder fills in grain and scratches in wood and lube smooths and shines?

Thanks,

SATCOM

 

[Hondo44]

With the 'R' stamp on the bottom of the frame, looks like Busby had been retrofitted with the transfer bar at one time. The wide hammers from the retrofit kit (and the new models) make cool replacements once 'massaged' to work without the transfer.

 

[Sharps40]

Not black powder and grease....muzzleloader grease...its wax and oils to shine and clean the wood.

If Busby was refitted someone did the right thing by losing the conversion parts