Building a Flintlock

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major519

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I am considering building my first flintlock rifle and thought it prudent to seek advice from the fellows here.

Can anyone recommend any good books, websites, suppliers of parts etc or is there someone here on CGN who is knowledgeable in the building of such?

Generally looking for tips and suggestions. I am considering a squirrel rifle, full stock in flint 36cal.
 
Nothing specific other than try different key words with google or some other search engines.

Also don't forget your city library. If you're in one of the larger 'burbs the public library will often have a decently sized firearms section and they may well have books on gunsmithing. You may not find stuff that is directly related to building a kit but the hints on working the action and blueing and other techniques in a general gunsmithing book are directly applicable. And since it's free to borrow them even if you only find a couple of hints in each book it's time well spent.
 
Steppenwolf, thanks for the heads up (and the other guys suggestions too!)

I just received a Pecatonica catalog, and have Jims and Dixies on the way.

I will have a look at the ALR website as well.

Do we have any gunsmiths, professional or amateur here on CGN who have created any of these? I would be interested to correspond. I would like to check out a few different types, unfortunately the flintlock crowd is rather small and scattered here in Canada. I am in Ontario.

Thanks a bunch guys!
 
The best thing a person could do to learn about flintlock rifles is to go to Dixons muzzelloading fair in Pennsylvania.You can meet the best builders and get all the parts that you will ever need.
When you come back you will never look at a factory built gun again. Ray.
 
If you are building completely from scratch I would suggests books by Shumway. There is also one by I think, John Allan Clarke although I can't find it listed at abebooks.com
For a first gun I think you would be far wiser to start with a kit from Pecatonica and be sure of ending up with something that works well and looks good, then expand from there to increasing degrees of self building. I restocked my first flinter twice because the first one was so ugly and am still not particularly happy with the result in terms of appearance.
Unless you intend to use the gun for squirrels, I would also suggest going to at least 45 cal and probably 50 cal for your rifle. Don't know about Ontario, but in BC most shooting is on trails at metal gongs and the small calibers do not move the targets well. Have a look in the Black Powder forum here under the title of Nanaimo Rondyvous for some pictures of the type of targets shot.

cheers mooncoon
 
Just to reinforce what the Bear said earlier, take your time and go easy on removing wood from the stock. I made up a Spanish kit gun .50 cal Hawken, and the brass decorative fittings on the stock are not set well, because of smoothing down and sanding away too much wood on the stock.
 
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