Kentucky Flintlock Pistol

[MAKster]

I'm thinking of getting a Kentucky flintlock pistol like the Pedersoli. It comes in .45, .50, and .54 caliber. I know that these Kentucky pistols are not super historically accurate but are representative of a general style of pistol. But does anyone know which caliber was the most common for that time period. Also how is the recoil difference between these calibers? Thanks
http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/tipologia-prodotti.asp/l_en/idt_9/pistols-kentucky-pistol.html

 

[Dog Soldier]

There are many custom builders who will build the proper "School" of pistols for you. A quality flint lock is very important.

This is an East Tenn. flint .50 caliber pistol. It has a Chambers lock a Don Getz 7 groove barrel hand made trigger. Biulder Mr. Jack Garner 1980.

 

[JeffG]

Just my opinion, 45 and 50's were the most popular until the crossed the Mississippi. The pistols tended to be companion pieces for their rifles; nobody wanted to carry mold fixings for two calibers.
The popularity of 54, 62 and up were mainly smoothbores, that doubled as fowling pieces. 54 is 28 gauge...
Jaeger rifles tended to be rifled and large bore, but they were commonly made in Germany...American Colonial and Kentucky favored 45 caliber, Southern rifles tended to be 50, and specialized small game rifles of 36 and 32 caliber. Hope this helps.

 

[Dog Soldier]

Hi Jeff. The early hunters were much like us. The long arms were their primary weapons. Frontier handguns were many types and calibers.. Double barrel shotguns were camp sentry weapons.
Early rifles were all large bore. There was woodland Bison and elk in the East. They were killed off by 1860. I use a custom #5 Yeager for large bore matches.
This is the smallist caliber allowed in State matches for large bore. This is a .58 caliber. Biult by Steve Zinn.

 

[JeffG]

Cool! Thanks for the info. I've built two flintlocks, a 54 smoothie and a 50 halfstock. My info is casual reading, my hunting is hands on.

 

[Dog Soldier]

Very nice Jeff. My smooth gun is a .62/20 Ga. flinter. It is a Fuzee Du Chase. That is a nice Eastern Bronze.

 

[rdstrain49]

Cool! Thanks for the info. I've built two flintlocks, a 54 smoothie and a 50 halfstock. My info is casual reading, my hunting is hands on.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Of my Pedersoli Pistols my .45 caliber Kentucky is the most accurate in my hands. Your results may differ.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Don't overlook a military pistol:

My (Pedersoli) Harpers Ferry .54 smoothbore percussion conversion horse pistol. Incredible gun.

 

[Dog Soldier]

cooldill, Yes, the smooth bore military pistols were very practical. They were fast to load. The only down side was the large lead balls. Lead was very expensive for civilians. The rifled arms used less lead for the need effect.

 

[Panzerschwein]

cooldill, Yes, the smooth bore military pistols were very practical. They were fast to load. The only down side was the large lead balls. Lead was very expensive for civilians. The rifled arms used less lead for the need effect.

Oh I see! I like mine it's a nice one.

 

[MAKster]

Does anyone have knowledge about the guns sold by Middlesex Village Trading. They have lots of models based on historic guns like the Dragoon and Sea Service flintlocks. The one downside is that they are made in India. If you read the FAQ on their website the owner makes a strong argument that these Indian pistols are very safe to shoot and hand inspected. Any thoughts on the Indian copies?

 

[Panzerschwein]

Does anyone have knowledge about the guns sold by Middlesex Village Trading. They have lots of models based on historic guns like the Dragoon and Sea Service flintlocks. The one downside is that they are made in India. If you read the FAQ on their website the owner makes a strong argument that these Indian pistols are very safe to shoot and hand inspected. Any thoughts on the Indian copies?

I've been intrigued by them, too. But long term durability and parts availability worry me. I shoot my black powder pistols a great deal during the warmer months. I just do not trust the quality of Indian made firearms. And also those barrels are made from "seamless pipe" which is a fancy way of saying they're made from... pipes. Does not inspire confidence. Also I don't think those guns are even factory proofed, unlike the European black powder guns which are thoroughly and professionally tested for strength and safety.

I would avoid Middlesex and any Indian made black powder weaponry.

 

[Dog Soldier]

I can not tell anyone what to buy. As for myself these are junk made in India mostly. The barrels I have seen are hydraulic tubing. The locks are soft and vents are not drilled. This is what I have personally seen.

 

[MAKster]

Maybe I'm wrong but the Pedersoli Kentucky flintlock pistol seems to be more of an early 1800s frontier pistol than colonial/Revolutionary War era. Are there any quality (US or European companies) making Revolutionary War era flintlock pistols that are closer to historic designs like the Dragoon or Sea Service?

 

[Panzerschwein]

Maybe I'm wrong but the Pedersoli Kentucky flintlock pistol seems to be more of an early 1800s frontier pistol than colonial/Revolutionary War era. Are there any quality (US or European companies) making Revolutionary War era flintlock pistols that are closer to historic designs like the Dragoon or Sea Service?

I don't know but if their are you will pay big bucks for them, because they'll be custom made. There really are no commercial replica makers in the U.S. and I don't think any European replica maker makes that kind of pistol.

Honestly while the Pedersoli Kentucky pistol is not historically accurate they are well made and fun to shoot. With that being said I highly recommend you buy one through Dixie Gun Works or another company with a good return policy just in case it has problems. I've bought Pedersoli pistols that had rough rifling among other problems. To be honest their QC could be better. But if you get one that's good, it'll be a great shooter.

 

[Hanshi]

A .50 pistol from TVM. It matches my rifle. Accurate like you wouldn't believe.

 

[Panzerschwein]

A .50 pistol from TVM. It matches my rifle. Accurate like you wouldn't believe.

Mind disclosing the cost? Can you gimme da price on nat?

 

[midland man]

only thing about tvm they don't post twist rates of their barrels and I've emailed them asking about his but no reply!

 

[bannockburn]

Hanshi

Awesome looking .50 cal. pistol!

 

[Dog Soldier]

Matt Avance, at TVM is a fine fellow. They make it clear that their guns are not made to be historically accurate. They are good quality and Generic in design.
I had him make a smooth bore years ago. When I received it I found a No,No. The barrels channel was filled with Plastic wood. Matt said he was behind and out sourced some guns. He made me another one himself. I have it to this day.

 

[perldog007]

Very nice Jeff. My smooth gun is a .62/20 Ga. flinter. It is a Fuzee Du Chase. That is a nice Eastern Bronze.

The 1815 Harpers Ferry Replica put out by Pedersoli is very interesting to me. Had a chance to trade my Marlin and Mossy for a Fusil that somebody had put some care into building. I think I'll hang on to my 30/30 until my judo coach says I can take on Lions bare handed. I don't have a judo coach yet so....
Really torn between a nice 'trade musket' in .62 or a Harper's Ferry 1815 rock lock....

 

[Stony]

Those trade guns in .62 can be a lot of fun. Shooting clays with them can be a real challenge. I have shot one deer and a couple hogs with mine. I tired of the long barrel and finally shortened it up to sort of a canoe gun with a 24" barrel, just for something different.

 

[Stony]

I had him make a smooth bore years ago. When I received it I found a No,No. The barrels channel was filled with Plastic wood. Matt said he was behind and out sourced some guns. He made me another one himself. I have it to this day

I had a custom Hawken built for myself some years back and the same thing happened to me. I paid for premium wood and all the goodies, only to find that the barrel channel had been hogged out crudely and filled with bedding compound. I returned it and was granted a full refund.

 

[Curator]

Does anyone have knowledge about the guns sold by Middlesex Village Trading. They have lots of models based on historic guns like the Dragoon and Sea Service flintlocks. The one downside is that they are made in India. If you read the FAQ on their website the owner makes a strong argument that these Indian pistols are very safe to shoot and hand inspected. Any thoughts on the Indian copies?

India-made pistols can be good value for the money but most of them will require some tuning to work well. The wood used on their stocks is often Teak or some tropical hardwood that is fibrous and difficult to finish. Consider then an "assembled kit" and you will do fine. Also try Deer Creek products, they sell both kits and assembled flint lock pistols relatively inexpensively