some pics of the Marstar ArmiSport Kentucky rifle.

Claven2

Claven2

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
410   0   2
Location
Onterrible
In case anyone's looking at these, here are the pics ofthe one I recently picked up.

Here's the lock. the inletting is actually quite good. I can;t comment on firing yet as mine came with a small factory defect (fluke out of spec sear screw - Marstar is sending a replacement) and I'm waiting for the replacement part. Also there was alot of side-to-side trigger shake. It was corrected by shimming the sides of the trigger.
128_2807.jpg

Here you can see the flint positioned a few paper-widths out from the frizen at half ####. to do this on the Armi Sport, you need to knap back the length of the standard rifle flint to an OAL of 19mm. Not a huge deal, but worthy of note if you plan to buy. If you don;t do this, the flint at half #### (ie, the safety position) will keep the frizzen open enough to have your pan powder spill out.
128_2811.jpg

128_2810.jpg

Stock is some variety of walnut, but is not stained or darkened at all. It's a light stock to be sure, I'm told some are much darker. Also, I have my doubts that it's a hand-rubbed oil finish. Seems to be more some light application of lacquer. I might consider stripping it and oiling it.
128_2809.jpg

Muzzle shot: .45 cal.
128_2808.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hi Frank,

It's .45 cal. Marstar lists it as a 1:920mm twist (ie, 1:36"), but I don't believe it. Most other retailers list it as 1:48. I havent; had a chance to measure this myself yet as the rifle is at my gunsmith;s right now waiting for Marstar to send the replacement offending screw and also waiting a trigger job (it came with a REALLY heavy pull).

I have removed the lock and it's definitely walnut throughout - but it's a light variety. Probably either an exceptionally light piece of black walnut or it's euro walnut (more likely).
 
The company website:

http://www.armichiappa.it/

The wood in my 20 year old one is European Walnut. Gorgeous piece of wood. It appears to be unstained, definitely oiled. I find Varathane finishing oil (NOT the urethane...) makes a nice oil for keeping it looking good. The need for short flints seem to be characteristic of Italian flintlock design - the pedersolis need short flints too.
 
Last edited:
Claven2 said:
Skip - have you got pics of yours? Wouldn;t mind comparing the 20yo one to this newer one.
Click to expand...

I did shoot some, I'll see if I can find them - the gun appears to look the same as in the website pictures. Mine is a perc. I'll post a couple if I have them around still.

Edited to add a couple of pics - these are not very good - long skinny shiny wooden objects are a bugger to photograph....:)

kent.jpg



kent2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Well, mine looks identical except it's a flinter and my wood is lighter. :)

Do you shoot it much? Got any pet loads? Ever shoot conicals in it, or just roundball?

Taken any deer with it?
 
Claven2 said:
Well, mine looks identical except it's a flinter and my wood is lighter. :)

Do you shoot it much? Got any pet loads? Ever shoot conicals in it, or just roundball?

Taken any deer with it?
Click to expand...

Well yours will get darker as get more burnt powder rubbed into it...:)

I don't shoot the BPs all that often (more than my Tikka tack driver lately however), and when I do just for fun. I haven't really worked up loads yet. I run about 60gr FFg and .480 ball in the Kentucky (.50 cal, measured), and I cast and shoot Lyman target minie and R.E.A.L. in it, but honestly I haven't worked up a load specifically. I don't know if I would push it much past 80gr, (bullet and charge have to worked out together, lest you wind up with a pressure surprise...;) ) Takes a lot of shooting in a black powder to decide on a load... Don't know what I can say about relative accuracy, with my eyesight and no scope on it but I have fun. :)

I don't hunt with my BPs (two rifles, three pistols) - don't feel I'm a good enough shooter with them to take a chance on a deer, although I have no doubt it will bring one down if I do it right. I prefer a scope on the hunt to ensure a clean quick kill.

Of the two long BPs I have, the Kentucky is the "lady". My Lyman trade (flint) is the ass-kicker - in the right hands its very accurate and you can load it to 110gr. with the right ball. It or the Lyman GP would make a nice companion gun. My Trade is shown in the pictures thread at the top of the forum (gun of the day,week...)
 
You might be interested in knowing what you really have a replica of, and its not, strictly speaking, a "Kentucky rifle". The Italians are notorious for giving a gun a "name" for the American market, even tho they are often based on real guns. Your "Kentucky" is a repro of an earlier British made gun known as the English Pattern Trade Rifle, pictured below. (ca1813-1840 - can't be dated any closer that that, although in perc, it would have to be after 1834). Don't be disappointed tho - the E P Trade is considered to be a derivative the same common root in german designs of the late 18th century, that became ultimately the American "Kentucky", particularly the "Lancaster school". The Early Kentuckys and the EP Trade have the same ancestory, and EP Trades/Kentuckys were apparently made in the US after 1828 (made in Pennsylvania, just to be confusing - few were actually made in Kentucky, and the name "kentucky rifle" is subject to considerable speculation, mostly to a song in which the name reference was made). The similarities between yours and the one pictured are striking... They both are more or less the same size. Enjoy!

EPtrade.jpg
 
Yeah, I know what you mean. One of these days, I'll build a proper TotW Kentucky kit with the full suite of features such as JC Siler lock, Greem Mtn swamped bbl, tiger maple stock, etc.

But that day is still a ways off at the moment!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom