Finishing touches on the Mules Leg 45-70

[fortyshooter]

Well I wanted to add a saddle ring safety delete pin but the Marlin version will not work so I just made up my own out of 5/16ths rod. The ring will have another purpose and that is to be used as a retainer in the holster just like the original one on "Wanted Dead or Alive show.
Stripped the finish off of the Mule grip and did the final shaping and finished it off with a mix of stain to try to match up to the foregrip and also added a cool medallion to the butt end being last thing you might see before you pull the trigger! Watch out for that Mule kick!

Had talked with couple of holster makers that offer one for the Mare's Leg pistols but none of them wanted to make me one just 3 inches longer so just have to find one that wants to work a bit harder....that be me! Found one by Hunter Holsters and it will give me something to work from. Going to add a short hook to the holster to retain the Mule by the saddle ring and add a curved piece at bottom to secure it at the foregrip. I want to just pull the gun up just enough to get it off the hook and then swing it out instead of a long draw.

So overall the project turning out great!

[Sir Henry]

I really like what you have done! Josh would be proud of you.

[CT_Shooter]

Your work is outstanding, Forty. I've admired each of the projects you've shared with us. Your "hacksaw peep sight" instruction for improving the semi-buckhorn sights that come with many Henrys is genius. Thanks.

Your new Mule's Leg is both extremely well crafted and beautiful, but way too much gun for this Tenderfoot. I'm glad you enjoy it. Keep up the good work.

Just for fun, though. Here's a bit of trivia about Wanted Dead or Alive... totally made for TV using artistic license.

The Mare's Leg weapon carried by Josh Randall (Steve McQueen) is a cut down Winchester model 1892 carbine in 44-40 caliber, but the bullets in his cartridge belt are 45-70 caliber rounds used in the larger, more powerful rifles of the day. The producers wanted to use the 45-70s because they were more visually impressive than the relatively small, pistol sized rounds actually used in the 1892 carbine. The use of the 1892 carbine is itself an anachronism as the series is set in the 1870s

[daytime dave]

Awesome gun and leather work sir. I know you are onto something there. I'm sure others will want both. Go for it!!!!

[fortyshooter]

Thanks guys! This project was one of those things that kept saying do it and hopefully I will get the holster rig sorted out.

[Vaquero]

Nice project and I like the good luck on the butt.
I like the safety delete.
Most of my Marlins are from before the stupid lawyer button was added.
But of the few that do have it, most I have done the delete swap, waiting on a saddle ring delete for the 38-55 Cowboy now.

I like what you've made, but I'm not sure I want to shoot it.

RP