What did I buy?

HB

HB

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Dec 18, 2007
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I have been looking at Kibler kits with envy while I patiently plink away with my T/C Hawken.

However, I came upon this in a gun shop today. I was able to get it for $424 out the door.

It has no visible markings. It throws a spark and set triggers work as they should. The guy behind the counter said the seller said the gun was built in MO. The tag said “home made Kentucky rifle never fired $500”. The .40 caliber, nice wood, and decent finish work led me to think it may be a good buy.

Anybody know what this may be? How’d I do?
 

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Barrel is 36”, lock is 4 3/4” long, barrel is about 3/4” across the flats.
 
Thanks all. I looked at the Pecatonica catalog and there are some very similar guns in there.
 
Had not heard of Pecatonica before, but it looks right. I was thinking .40 = Dixie but this rifle is more elaborate than they have parts for; lots of brass.
Captain*kirk said:
Why would someone go to all the attention and detail of a nice build and never fire it?
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Happens all the time. People are building guns, from flintlocks to ARs, to be building, not to shoot.
 
It is finished at a level higher than I could have done. Im fairly handy but not that patient. So for the $, it appears to be a deal.

Where do ya’ll buy your flints? I moved to WY last year and its not like MO where every other rock south of the river is chert!
 
Got me. But I'm the only one I know with a flintlock and wish there were others around here. Mine is not particularly reliable but I know there is some finesse to them, plus it's a Traditions which aren't that great. But I'm gonna get it right someday.
 
The only negative thing I can see is that the barrel must be pinned as I don't see a wedge. Having a single wedge Hawken style makes cleaning a lot easier than having 8 or 9 individual pins like my Brown Bess. What a pain. Even with that it looks like you got a deal.
 
Shape and style of the stock is Lancaster, maybe Isaac Haines or John Armstrong, I've seen that patchbox before as well, just don't remember where. I need to dig through some books on the matter. Not that it really matters it's still a nice rifle.From the way the stock is shaped on the fore end it appears to have a swamped barrel.
 
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Steel Horse Rider said:
The only negative thing I can see is that the barrel must be pinned as I don't see a wedge. Having a single wedge Hawken style makes cleaning a lot easier than having 8 or 9 individual pins like my Brown Bess. What a pain. Even with that it looks like you got a deal.
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Most were pinned.
 
Pretty common styling. That is not a criticism. If you look at Kind it's book, Thoughts on the KY Rifle in the golden Age" you will see several that could be cousins.
Very nice overall but without having it in my hands I can't comment on workmanship. Looks better than my first flinter.
 
PapaG said:
Very nice overall but without having it in my hands I can't comment on workmanship
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The metal to wood fit not professional level but not bad either. Comparing it side by side with my T/C, lock fit is the most noticeable fit and finish issue. Once I confirmed it was unloaded and threw a spark, I knew it was likely the best deal I’d come across in flintlocks. Everything else in that price range has a poor reputation.

There does seem to be a fairly strong following of Rendezvous type events here. If I have time this summer, I will try to attend one and bring the rifle. I imagine somebody will recognize it.
 
Steel Horse Rider said:
The only negative thing I can see is that the barrel must be pinned as I don't see a wedge. Having a single wedge Hawken style makes cleaning a lot easier than having 8 or 9 individual pins like my Brown Bess. What a pain. Even with that it looks like you got a deal.
Click to expand...

Almost all full stock rifles were pinned. You learn to clean them with the barrel installed. It's not a big deal at all.

HB said:
What is benefit of a swamped barrel? Better balance?
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Yes balance. My Woodsrunner has a 40 inch swamped barrel and it balances beautifully. It's not muzzle heavy at all.
 
.38 Special said:
I tend to see the opposite, at least around here: literally  any flintlock will be offered at $2500, because "It's an original" - even if was made in India week before last.
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Here it sits on the shelf for at least a year before I come in and offer them much less than sticker price because no one before me showed any interest in it
 
Appalachiannative said:
Here it sits on the shelf for at least a year before I come in and offer them much less than sticker price because no one before me showed any interest in it
Click to expand...
Nice when that happens!

The one really good story I have on the topic happened at a gun show 20-odd years back. My buddy asked a seller about the obviously European flintlock longrifle with no price tag. The seller said "I'm not sure I even want to sell it. It's been in my family for generations. Probably saw action in the Civil War." My buddy, unsure if the fellow was joking, said "Um, a flintlock?" and the fellow said "Yep, folks back then didn't trust cartridge guns! Tell you what, I'll let it go for $2500." My buddy: "It says 'Traditions' right here on the barrel..." Seller: "Yep! They made most of the guns used by the Confederates!"

To this day I'm still not sure if the guy was having us on - I did look around for hidden cameras - but there you go. :rofl:
 
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