What's a shootable antique flintlock pistol worth?

[Suther]

I've always wanted a muzzle loading pistol, of the flintlock (or cap and ball, etc) variety, A single shot black powder muzzle loader of some sort. I've seen reproductions as cheap as $400, but they don't carry the same sort of "not a gun" exemptions that reproduction flintlock rifles carry, so this got me wondering what's a real antique worth? Is a real antique muzzle loading pistol actually something I can go shoot regularly, say a 4 times a year and a dozen shots each time? Or did the muzzle loading pistol fall out of favour too soon and the available specimens not suited for daily shooting? The goal would be something I can take out and shoot with friends a few times a year, and be able to shoot that gun year after year for some time.

I'm not in any financial situation to buy now, but figured it wouldn't hurt to get a bit more info about the whole idea and see if it's just a pipe dream or actually something attainable. Thanks!

 

[mooncoon]

The question is what is it likely to cost. A lot of that is how rigid you are in your criteria of what you want. A British or American flint pistol will probably cost the most and in shooting condition anywhere fro $600 on up if it is any sort of reasonable condition. Cheapest are flintlocks from India and Turkey and they might run from $150 to $300 or so. A big part of the equation is the barrel. A great many guns from the early 1800s to my eyes are large caliber with thin barrels and I would hesitate to shoot them. Also many originals have mechanical problems such as worn / broken sears, missing or broken springs etc. To be economical, you have to be able to make the parts and repair them

cheers mooncoon

 

[jethunter]

Shootable antique flintlock pistols are not common.

Shootable antique cap and ball revolvers can be found in the $1200 range. They are a lot of fun.

 

[caramel]

I have bought many pistols c&b antique 36 / 44 double / 45 / 58 double / 69 cal, all were check for operation with moderate loads, all function proprely.
Barrel lenght is 3 inch to 9 inch.

Prices varied from 450.00 to 650.00.
Those bring a huge fun factor

 

[tiriaq]

There really isn't any one answer to the question asked by the OP.
The price will depend on the actual pistol involved.
A little Belgian or American boxlock percussion pistol might be had for a couple of hundred. A fine British flintlock duelling pistol would sell for thousands.

 

[caramel]

There really isn't any one answer to the question asked by the OP.
The price will depend on the actual pistol involved.
A little Belgian or American boxlock percussion pistol might be had for a couple of hundred. A fine British flintlock duelling pistol would sell for thousands.

My C&B 45 cal has a 3.5 inch spring loaded bayonet, it's my coolest one, i suspect that before i shot it 6 times it was unfired, used by time but look brand new under the discoloration.

 

[wr.sainsbury]

Good shootable plain flinter in the 750-900- range. If a major name such as Nock, Ketland etc. then upwards from there depending on condition. I have a Ketland officers pistol that would draw 1500- or so if I chose to part with it. Just my 2 cents worth.