Affordable, quality flintlock reproductions available?

X-man

X-man

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Have been reading a lot of 17th and 18th century military history lately, which has reignited my interest in shooting flintlock BP firearms. Was possibly interested in an historically accurate Brown Bess repro from French and Indian Wars/Seven Years War - American Revolution era. Same for period correct pistol. Also interested in eventually adding a period correct "Pennsylvania" Rifle repro from the Revolutionary War era.

My first thought was Pedersoli, but it seems prices have more than doubled since I purchased my last. The same for Chiappa. The Pedersoli are all around better built, but have to say I was more than a little taken aback by the premium prices being asked for less than premium workmanship. What am I missing? Are there more affordable offerings,.but of comparable quality to the Pedersoli available these days? Thx!
 
Go and visit the BP groups in your area and see examples of what your are interested in. Will help you make a decision. Yes BP firearm prices have gone up like every thing else. Good luck in your quest. Let us know what you finally get...
 
I'm in the same boat as you man. I've been looking everywhere but it looks like Perdersoli is it...especially if you want a Brown Bess. If you really need to satisfy that itch though, it appears Cabelas has some solid choices for "reasonable" prices. Also, you might want to check out Loyalist Arms for muskets and Track of the wolf for accessories. Good luck in your search.
 
Fenris502 said:
I'm in the same boat as you man. I've been looking everywhere but it looks like Perdersoli is it...especially if you want a Brown Bess. If you really need to satisfy that itch though, it appears Cabelas has some solid choices for "reasonable" prices. Also, you might want to check out Loyalist Arms for muskets and Track of the wolf for accessories. Good luck in your search.
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I like usual can vouch for loyalist arms, they are a little rough around the edges but they work well and are built solid with good steel. Extruded tube Barrels are rated for around the 80,000 psi range according to their main smith.
 
I think most or all of the import flintlocks use case hardened frizzens. That means that at some point the casing will wear through and you will have to have the frizzen recased or replace the frizzen. I would not consider that to be a major job, only something to be aware of and something to expect if and when the lock stops sparking well (with a sharp flint)
As to the original question, usually you get what you pay for and it is a question of balancing your budget with the quality of the guns available

cheers mooncoon
 
As an aside -if you keep eyes open you can still buy an original piece in reasonable condition for the same money as a new reproduction. The bonus is they are antiques and as such much more likely to maintain value or go up rather than depreciate about 50% once they are used. As a collector and shooter this way always makes more sense to me. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
wr.sainsbury said:
As an aside -if you keep eyes open you can still buy an original piece in reasonable condition for the same money as a new reproduction. The bonus is they are antiques and as such much more likely to maintain value or go up rather than depreciate about 50% once they are used. As a collector and shooter this way always makes more sense to me. Just my 2 cents worth.
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That would be awesome! Where abouts would one keep his eyes out for antique at such a price?
 
Take a look at our own Equipment Exchange under Antique and Reproduction muzzleloaders. There are at least 2 interesting pieces up right now in percussion. Flinters show up less often but they still do and usually priced reasonably. Fair negotiation is also in order. Good luck.
 
I've been watching the Antiques EE section for a few years now. I've yet to see an older smoothbore or rifle that I'd trust which is priced at or less than one of the reproductions. I'm not saying that one doesn't slip in now and then but I'd suggest that the better shootable antiques are going to cost considerably more than a reproduction.

I got into it on a lower end of the cost scale by buying a Lyman Great Plains flintlock. I see these regularly for around $500 to $600. And if you move on later you'll get your money back out of the deal. The caplocks cost a little less.

There's also the Traditions guns. But from reading about them little issues are pretty common. The Lyman, on the other hand, has been very reliable and is a well built piece.

As with any firearm quality and trouble free operation do not come cheap. And the BP arms lack the mass market appeal that provides decent rifles at budget prices.

Keep in mind too that getting a smoothbore to shoot well can be a bit of a trial. First off a good clean, concentric, straight and well finished bore is essential. Anything else risks catching the patch and promoting a back spin on the ball. And if you get that then you'll never hit anything you're aiming at.

I sort of got the impression that the imported stuff from India and other Asian sources is best used as either decoration or for blank firing re-enactor use. If you're keen on hitting what you aim at I think you'll find that you need to up the anty and go for something more suitable.
 
You can expect to buy a reliable percussion for less than an equivalent flint primarily because a good sparking lock is so critical to consistent ignition and the flinters are more expensive to manufacture. Suggest you post a "wanted" ad on the EE Forum for Black powder and Antiques...
 
I have an Indian bess and love it. Just finished building a trade gun. If you haven't looked you may consider a kit. Really rewarding building your own gun and some of the kits are not to difficult if you have basic hand tools and some access to a shop for a couple things.

Check out:

North star west
Sitting fox
Track of the wolf
Pecitonica muzzleloaders
The rifle shoppe ( more advanced but a huge selection)
There are others that escape me at the moment.
 
They do but their kits are quite advanced and it really pays to get an assembled lock from them unless you feel up to the task. It is pricey but saves alot of time.

Also sometimes you will wait up to 6 months if they don't have the parts in Stock. It pays to contact them before hand.
 
mrclean89 said:
They do but their kits are quite advanced and it really pays to get an assembled lock from them unless you feel up to the task. It is pricey but saves alot of time.

Also sometimes you will wait up to 6 months if they don't have the parts in Stock. It pays to contact them before hand.
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Most definitely will get the assembled lock......I'm not the most handy lol. However i think i will contact them regarding their Baker "rifles".....curious to see if they're smoothbore or not. If they're rifled I'm in.
 
No Revolutionary War collection is complete without a Ferguson Rifle. :cool: Only 2 known originals left, but there are pricey repros available.
 
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