Stumbled on a Mountainman Rendezvous

[RonC]

This weekend, I was at the opening of the rebuild of the old trader's station, Ft. Lupton, in of all places, Ft. Lupton Colorado.
What I didn't know was that there was a mountain man rendezvous taking place next to Ft. Lupton as well as some black powder shooting competitions. I had more fun than Maverick at a sarsaparilla bar!

Everyone was in their buckskins and leathers, carrying all varieties of muzzleloader rifles and pistols, flintlock and percussion caplock. I spent the day talking with these "re-enactors" and they were generous with their time, true stories, and mountain man exaggerations. The field was full of white, canvas tents of the period. Even the porta-jons were surrounded by wood logs so as not to be obtrusive.

There were some very nice guns there, from inexpensive Connecticut Valley Arms to very expensive, custom, tiger stripe maple Pennsylvania rifles.

While there, I succumbed to temptation. A fellow had several muzzleloaders for sale. They were of the inexpensive variety, even when new, and I couldn't resist the price. I do have an original 1810-1820 Kentucky (Pennsylvania) rifle on the wall, but wanted a functional muzzleloader to shoot. I now have a CVA Kentucky rifle with the cheapest, ugliest wood for the stock and an Armi San Marco Plains rifle made in Italy that looks similar to a Hawken or the like and has a pleasant enough stock. I could hardly believe how inexpensive they were. Because they cost so little, I did check out the barrels. Both were pristine. I can live with the ugly wood.

If it turns out that I don't like the fuss of shooting with muzzleloaders, I certainly could sell them and get back whatever $$$ I spent.

Ron

 

[USAF_Vet]

Well let's see 'em!

 

[RonC]

Well, since you so kindly asked, here is my antique Kentucky rifle:

And the replica CVA Kentucky rifle:


And the replica Armi San Marco Plains rifle:

I just ordered some material to start shooting the replicas.

Ron

 

[Iggy]

You're doomed!! That's how it starts. Next comes the powder horn and tools, then you got to have skins, and finally the Tipi.

If it gits bad enough, you may wind up with a cannon.

Don't ask me how I know.....

That was taken nearly 30 years ago. I've healed up some since then.

You've been warned.

BTW That Kentucky gun is "fat cow doin's" and that thar is plumb center!

Another warning, there are lots of that buckskinner carryin's on in Colorado. You are in deep doo-doo!

 

[RonC]

Sadly, I am subject to such addictions.

You should have seen what is was like smuggling these two replica muzzleloaders into the house! "Honey, why does your right leg look so stiff?" "Oh, must be the ole' knee acting up." Yup.

Ron

 

[Iggy]

Lol. Been there, done that.

 

[armoredman]

I like that plains rifle, looks solid.

 

[RonC]

It does look and feel solid.
The barrels on both of them look almost pristine. The Plains rifle is 50 cal and the Kentucky is 45.
I tried a friend's flintlock at the outdoor range I go to. The priming powder went Poof! I waited. The gun went pow! And I missed everything - even the backboard behind the target. I think that starting with percussion is not a bad idea after that experience. The rifle did, indeed, act the role of a Flinchlock.

Ron

 

[Armored farmer]

that's a fine original piece too!

 

[RonC]

Thank you KBBailey!
It was converted from flintlock to percussion sometime in the 19th century. If it had been in the original flintlock confirmation, I likely would not have been able to afford it.
The bore is rusty and I have so far only wiped it down with EEzOx to get the rust out. I wonder if running a bronze bore brush to remove most of the rust would affect the value of the piece?

Ron

 

[Armored farmer]

As far as the value goes....that is up to you. Personally, the value of a gun is in the shooting for me. I am fortunate enough to be the caretaker of some family heirloom guns. Several in fact. They will not be sold. It would only add to the value for me if I could take one hunting and harvest a deer this fall. To me that would be priceless.
I have a rifle over the mantle that went to the Pike's Peak gold rush. Family legend has it that great,great grandpa thought he would roll up to a claim and start shoveling the gold into a wagon. He ended up working in a hardware store for the winter and returning in the spring riding the "poorest horse I ever saw a white man ride", according to great, great, grandma.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

about that original, any markings on that Pennsylvania Long Rifle. Top barrel flat near the rear sight?

While helping my daughter with a high school genealogy project, we discovered that we go back to the Angstadt family of gunsmiths in Berks County in the 1740's to 1820 era. (There were five or six of them over three generations.) Ever since I discovered that I have been watching for one built by a great great etc. Even just to get pictures.

 

[USAF_Vet]

That original is beautiful!

The repro Hawken looks nice too. The repro Penn doesn't look too bad, the wood is a little plain, but not ugly by any stretch.

 

[JohnD13]

Take it from a recovering re-enactor, you're on that slippery slope! The original rifle is a beauty, and your two new ones will get you shooting. Then the flintlock starts calling your name..............

 

[RonC]

about that original, any markings on that Pennsylvania Long Rifle. Top barrel flat near the rear sight?

While helping my daughter with a high school genealogy project, we discovered that we go back to the Angstadt family of gunsmiths in Berks County in the 1740's to 1820 era. (There were five or six of them over three generations.) Ever since I discovered that I have been watching for one built by a great great etc. Even just to get pictures.

I haven't found any markings that would suggest the builder of the old rifle. I will look for the flatness near the rear sight.
I have some books on Kentucky/Pennsylvania rifles and I have been trying to match the patch box design with the identified rifles in the books. Perhaps I can find a close match and make a good guess about the builder.

Ron

 

[Mike1234567]

"Stumbled on a Mountainman Rendezvous"

That title evokes some pretty interesting imaginative visuals. But when you mentioned mountain men that that threw icewater on my thoughts.

 

[gifford]

Nice score on the rifles. The old CVA rifles can shoot, may not have the best styling but the proof is in the scores they seem to rack up. My 20 year old CVA Hawken shoots straight, better than I can hold it or so it seems.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Your whiskers will start growing like you're on the tour bus with ZZ Top.

This is a direct result of exposure to actual black powder.

 

[Gunnerboy]

yep you need some critter hides how many you want , i got coon,possum,coyote,deer,squirrel,nutira,muskrat,elk,bear,mink and i think thats all and those are just the ones for sale.

 

[RonC]

Your whiskers will start growing like you're on the tour bus with ZZ Top.

This is a direct result of exposure to actual black powder.

Will it grow the hairs on my head, as well? ;O))

 

[4v50 Gary]

Attending a rendezvous is a good way to start. I stumbled upon one accidentally at Livermore (CA) and had a lot of fun. Unfortunately, they don't hold rendezvous there anymore.

BTW, did you try the apple or berry pie?

 

[ErikO]

Next thing you know, you'll be tossing anvils around with GOEX.

The wood stocks don't look bad in the pics, nice finds.