Any Canadian flintlock makers?

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QueensHorseman

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I would like to buy a .54 (would consider a .50) caliber flintlock rifle, slow twist barrel for PRB shooting, deer hunting, etc. I'm looking for something nice, made with quality parts and was wondering if there are any Canadian makers. TVM in the US is nice but the exchange rate makes a Canadian source of new or used rifles very attractive. The Lyman GPR is a very serviceable option but I would like something nicer. I have also considered a Pedersoli Mortimer but I'm still looking.

Thanks.
 
One I can heartily recommend:

Taylor Sapergia: 1- (250) 564-7894 He's in Prince George, BC. I've known Taylor and admired his work for longer than I want to remember.

His work is on a par with my Shiloh rifles and/or better. Wood to metal fit, superb checkering, metal work, lock tuning. etc. His flinters spark - every time!
 
I am well acquainted with Taylor and another prolific Canadian builder, Peter Alexander.

If you think that the TVM prices with the exchange rate make the rifle a "little pricey" then you best not contact either builder mentioned - your heart would stop at the quote you would get.

TVM "mass produces" rifles. Every one of their "early Virginia" is an almost carbon copy of each other. Yes, you can opt for a different barrel (at a premium), different wood etc but if they produce 10 of them there is no doubt that they all came from the same CNC wood carver.

That is how they manage to keep their prices "as low as they do".

There are a number of builders kits that range in price from 800 to about 1000 bucks (US of course) - someone like Taylor will "build that kit for you" for about 900 to 1200 bucks depending on how fancy you want it - so yes, you are looking at easily over 2K for a "kit build" (and not talking about a lyman kit where you plug piece A into slot B) - these kits give you a chunk of wood for the stock and a box of unfinished parts.

If you actually wanted a "from scratch" build you are looking at starting in the 3K range, on a multi-year waiting list, with the price going up from there.

There is no "equivalent" to TVM or Sitting Fox in Canada. There is a very small handful of builders that all charge "the going rate" for "custom" work.

If you want "nicer" than a Lyman your best bet is to go with a Pedersoli, or buy used from the US - there is a pretty small market and even smaller selection on this side of the border.

And since all the parts are sourced from the US anyhow, even if you have it built on this side all the parts will be bought with "converted" dollars. A $265 Rice barrel (you said you wanted "quality parts", with $50 shipping works out to about $420 Canadian - then CBSA tacks on HST and you are out another 50 bucks. Now get a decent Late Ketland lock from Chambers that's another $175 US, plus shipping, plus HST when the border gets done with it, call it another $280.

You are already at $700 and all you have is a barrel and a lock.

So perhaps you should post up your budget which will either expand or restrict your options.
 
You get what you are willing to pay for. One thing you get from a quality builder like Taylor is pride of ownership. Can't put a price on that. Resale value is another value added consideration.
 
I've been lucky enough to have handled and fired many of Taylor's pieces, including a wheel lock he made. Second to none. I knew a fellow (now deceased) who knew him well - don't know the gentleman directly but I can attest that his work is incredible.

He posts sometimes on americanlongrifle.org? I think it is, and has some stunning examples you can see. His inlay skills (all his skills but some of his inlays...wow) are simply unbelievable.
 
Taylor has earned the title of Contemporary Master Gun Maker (I believe that is the correct wording) for his work. I have a couple of his and they are beautiful and excellent shooters. Call Taylor and discuss with him exactly what you want. As his guns are hand made one at a time it may take some time for him to complete it. It will be well worth the wait, a piece that you came be proud and become a family heirloom. Taylor's guns are not cheap but worth the craftsmanship and prestige of owning one of his guns. Research guns from the different periods and regions/makers of the day to see what you would like before calling. This makes it easier to make a final decision.

If Taylor is out of your reach, give Doug "Ol'Flinter" on this site a call. He located at Calgary and makes very nice guns as well.
 
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Thanks for the references and quick replies. I do understand the low number of people providing really quality work, especially with wood these days and this would not be my first trip down the custom rifle road. Nice to have a couple of Canadian names to consider. I have always loved the basic, working rifles from quality makers of the past over the very fancy ones. Same quality, but essentially intended to be used and shot with all specs and work contributing towards function. Not all makers are interested in this style of rifle.

I do like most things about the standard Mortimer except the patent breech and the difficulty obtaining parts for any Pedersoli, should they ever be needed. TVM is becoming increasingly attractive to me based on your posts.

One thing that having custom rifles built has taught me is that, finding a nice used custom takes some looking but can be much cheaper and quicker than paying for the original build! My search continues...
 
There's Clark in Ontario but he has retired and only has kits left. It's a dying hobby in Canada, we never got tge ML hunting seasons like the Yanks, even the gatherings have all but disappeared.
 
There was a ML Only season in BC. The NDP under Clark killed it. Reason - modern inlines with scopes were being touted as the equal of modern high power rifles by the makers.

They could easily have stipulated "side hammer, traditional", but that would have required common sense.
 
You want quality, be prepared to invest in it. Otherwise go cheap and spend good money after bad on upkeep and repairs. Good luck finding a "nice used custom" rifle! The owners tend to hang on to them as family heirlooms.
I recently took advantage of MarStar's 20% off sale and bought a "cheap Sharps", the Pedersoli Silhouette model. It was so rough (tool marks, sharp edges, poor metal to metal fit of the lock plate to the receiver, etc., etc.) that it went right back into the box for a refund. I immediately ordered a Shiloh off their "ready rack" and have been delighted with what I got.
It cost me $48 non-refundable to return the Pedersoli, a cheap lesson. You pays you money - you takes you choice!

QueensHorseman said:
One thing that having custom rifles built has taught me is that, finding a nice used custom takes some looking but can be much cheaper and quicker than paying for the original build! My search continues...
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fraserdw said:
There's Clark in Ontario but he has retired and only has kits left. It's a dying hobby in Canada, we never got tge ML hunting seasons like the Yanks, even the gatherings have all but disappeared.
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where can i get one of those kits. i built one in 86 very high quality..beautiful lock the frizzen is the wrong shape but an L&R frizzen fixes that .
 
While on the subject of Canadian makers, does anyone remember or have any info on a maker back in the day from Eastview, Ontario by the name of Peter Patrick Magee ( PP Magee)? I just acquires an underhammer muzzleloader made from scratch by him in 1966. Apparently he made a few rifles back in the day and I think he maybe had a gun shop. The rifle is of very decent quality and well made.
 
.54 flinter.

QueensHorseman said:
I would like to buy a .54 (would consider a .50) caliber flintlock rifle, slow twist barrel for PRB shooting, deer hunting, etc. I'm looking for something nice, made with quality parts and was wondering if there are any Canadian makers. TVM in the US is nice but the exchange rate makes a Canadian source of new or used rifles very attractive. The Lyman GPR is a very serviceable option but I would like something nicer. I have also considered a Pedersoli Mortimer but I'm still looking.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

building guns since early 70,s mostly muzzloaders and blackpowder cartridge . have a 1/2 stock english style 54 cal. flintlock,nice walnut stock, longs lock, green mountain barrel hand made double triggers. i would consider selling
 
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