Flintlock Rifles

[Arctos]

I recently watched an excellent hour-long video on the making of a flintlock rifle by hand at Colonial Williamsburg:

Colonial Gunsmith https://youtu.be/qTy3uQFsirk

Needless to say, it got me thinking that I might need one of those! Any recommendations on where to start for someone with no blackpowder experience?

 

[JohnBoy]

Track of the Wolf is a good starting point. http://www.trackofthewolf.com

 

[Pal Val]

I visited Colonial Williamsburg 45 years ago, ad spent about two hours watching the gunsmiths at work. At the time, you could place an order for one of their rifles, but the wait was more than two years. I didn´t ask about the price. I was sure my 2nd lieutenant´s salary was not good enough for this.


Thanks for the memories!

 

[RoninPA]

You can also check Dixie Gun Works or CVA (Connecticut Valley Arms).

 

[toysoldier]

When buying a flintlock, don't go cheap. A cheap lock will not function well.

 

[contender]

Chambers Flintlocks. One of the best. And they make their own locks. I can get you more info if needed.

 

[Coop]

Track of the Wolf is a good starting point. http://www.trackofthewolf.com

My flinter is from Track of the Wolf. It is a Bedford County, PA repro, about 12 years old, and I am currently restocking it with new maple. Their stuff is over the top.

Coop

 

[blackhawknj]

A good article on the Colonial Williamsburg gunsmiths in the most recent American Rifleman.
I am a re-enactor, have a Japanse made Charleville, a Traditions Pennsylvania rifle. In black powder I think it's good to start with factory made-find a properly cared for used one. Learn how it functions, decide if you really like it.

 

[exavid]

They are fun to shoot, I used to have a flint rifle and pistol. Only used them for target shooting but it have me a great appreciation of what our ancestors were up against. I went out on a couple of rainy days to see how the worked. It took a lot of care to keep things working in those conditions. Since I loaded up indoors the first time that was easy but trying to reload in a light rain is a trick that I didn't quite master very well.

 

[RSIno1]

I wanted a copy of my wife's ggetc grandfather William Whitley's rifle. Until I figured out I don't have the skill to build it or the money to pay an artisan to recreate it.
It's on pages 4 & 5 http://www.americanhistoricservices.com/uploads/1/0/3/4/10348480/kra_bulletin_spring_2014_v13_1to11_lres.pdf

 

[tom black]

RSI,
I've been to the home of Wm. Whitley twice and seen his beautiful rifle and it's awesome powder horn. The home is a very neat place.
Tom Black
Cantucky

 

[tom black]

I know I've posted this before, sorry. One of my favorite pictures of one of my favorite flintlocks made by good buddy Mike Miller.
Tom Black

 

[steveodtw]

Flintlocks are a hoot to shoot. There's just something about that flash going off in front of your nose, the plume of smoke and the wait to see if you hit something. Kits like Track of the wolf are excellent, but know they are not drop-in, assembly only. There's a lot of finish work on brass, steel and wood. Mine was a smoothbore, with a 42" barrel, with the benefit of shooting both shot (20 ga.) and round ball (.62 cal).
My build would have been much easier if I had a workshop, but I finished mine on the pool table and the bar in my basement. Enough to go out a year later and kill a wild turkey with it. Probably my best hunt ever. If you want it bad enough, you can build it.

 

[Del J]

Tom Black
That is one fine looking flinter. Great looking outfit too boot.

 

[powder smoke]

Gotta give the flint locks a try someday! I shoot modern day cap and ball
revolvers and rifles loads of fun. ps

 

[Arctos]

Thanks to all for the advice, and Tom Black, that is a beauty!

As far as reading material, is the Lyman Black Powder Handbook a good place to start?

 

[tom black]

Thanks fellows for the kind words. Some excellent reading on FL are Mark Baker's 2 books, A Pilgrim's Journey Vol. 1& 2. I started shooting percussion, a Ruger OA, what else? Back in '72. I've shot black powder ever since. But once I started shooting flintlocks some 12-13 years ago I haven't touched my caplocks. In fact, I sold them all. A well made flintlock is just as reliable and just a micro second slower than a caplock. And they are a ton of fun to use. Here's a pic of my 60 calibre bear rifle.
Tom

 

[GunnyGene]

I recently watched an excellent hour-long video on the making of a flintlock rifle by hand at Colonial Williamsburg:

Colonial Gunsmith https://youtu.be/qTy3uQFsirk

Needless to say, it got me thinking that I might need one of those! Any recommendations on where to start for someone with no blackpowder experience?

The rifle is just the beginning. You'll need a possibles bag, and whole bunch of stuff to go in it. Powder measures, flask, balls, mold, and assorted tools. I don't have a flinter, but do shoot percussion occasionally.

Oh, and a coonskin hat, and other period clothing. :lol:

 

[Poco Oso]

You might want to wander over here for some good reading. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/index.php

 

[CraigC]

If you could shoot one first, that would be ideal. If that's not possible, the Lyman book is a good place to start. As is a good quality rifle from Pedersoli or Lyman. Cheap guns with cheap locks are guaranteed frustration. Once you handle a real custom flintlock, you'll never shoot another factory gun. The difference in feel and handling is remarkable. A semi-custom like those from TVM are going to run you $1500 or more. Hand built customs are going to start at $2000 and go up from there. I bought my first custom flintlock rifle last year and I've hunted with nothing else since. It was built by Phil Hogan and was nearly $3000.

Here's my .54 pistol by Steve Zihn that weighs a scant 28oz.

 

[tom black]

Craig,
You are exactly right regarding cheap vs custom made flintlocks. And that is one beautiful pistol you have there.
Tom

 

[Poco Oso]

Craig,
You are exactly right regarding cheap vs custom made flintlocks. And that is one beautiful pistol you have there.
Tom

+1 on everything Craig and Tom said. That's a beauty for sure.

 

[BDM1]

That may be the nicest looking flint-lock pistol i have seen, but those custom prices are way beyond my means. Congratulations on yours!

 

[Armybrat]

I recently watched an excellent hour-long video on the making of a flintlock rifle by hand at Colonial Williamsburg:

Colonial Gunsmith https://youtu.be/qTy3uQFsirk

Needless to say, it got me thinking that I might need one of those! Any recommendations on where to start for someone with no blackpowder experience?

I used to show that same film - a shorter version - to my American history classes back in the 1970s. Kids loved it.

 

[caryc]

Wow...where did a kid that young get all that knowledge and talent. Now that's what I call a real craftsman.

Thanks for that link. I've seen other videos about the same subject. But, this one is the most detailed one I have ever seen.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

As what Cary said I will go with a DOUBLE WOW. The best hour of youtube I have ever seen and I have seen a bunch. It is amazing to me that the talent and the way to do something that people have when there is a need. I have always enjoyed watching how things are made with simple tools. It was stated that it took 300 hours to built that outstanding rifle. WOW Just think how many 100s were produced in that time period the same way by other Gunsmiths.
It would be interesting to know how long it takes to build a similar rifle from start to finish with todays manufacturing. Anybody have an idea?
I have been to Williamsburg but missed seeing this.
I highly recommend that y'all take the time to watch the video.
I built a Lyman Plains Rifle percussion and a Richland Pennsylvania Rifle flintlock both 50 cal. They were fun to built and good quality as kits go BUT nowhere what is in the video or Tom Blacks.

 

[tom black]

My Virginia is a very fancy rifle, a close copy of an original rifle once owned by Wallace Gussler, the first master gunsmith of Colonial Williamsburg. It has about every bell and whistle known to man, including a hand forged main spring. From start to finish Mike had it built in only 13 days. The man can carve or engrave while carrying on a normal conversation whereas I can barely walk and chew gum. I'm certain he could have a plain rifle knocked out in a few days time. His stock blanks are just a huge board roughly shaped like a rifle. Absolutely no inletting, barrel channel or anything.
Tom Black

 

[caryc]

All that and a double set trigger too !

 

[Arctos]

... It would be interesting to know how long it takes to build a similar rifle from start to finish with todays manufacturing. Anybody have an idea?

I would guess that few (any?) gunsmiths today make the entire rifle from scratch, including forging the barrel and lock, casting the brass parts, making the screws, etc. Might be hard to draw an accurate comparison.

Wow...where did a kid that young get all that knowledge and talent. Now that's what I call a real craftsman.

Cary, I had the same thought. Turns out that was Wallace Gusler, filmed in the winter of 1967. Details of how he got started can be found in this article: https://www.flintriflesmith.com/WritingandResearch/Published/wallaceretires_mb.htm

 

[tom black]

Mike Miller can make one completely from scratch if you want. The lock, the hand forged barrel, trigger guard, even the screws. But it will cost some serious bucks.
Tom