The T/C Twins

[daddywpb]

For years, I had admired (wanted) one of the T/C Renegade rifles. I don't care for the brass hardware on the Hawkins, and the Renegades had blued furniture. Unfortunately, when I was in my 20's in the '70's and 80's when they were available, I didn't have the money, so I've been searching the auction sites for them. The only requirement was that they be in near new condition. Well, almost 30 years later, my T/C dream has finally come true. I found a .54 caliber percussion Renegade, near perfect condition, and a .50 cal flintlock Renegade, also in near perfect condition within 6 months of each other. Both were used for one hunting season, on the opposite sides of the country, cleaned and put up, to sit and wait for me to rescue and SHOOT them. I switched the factory .54 barrel on the percussion for a .58 caliber GM barrel (always wanted a .58), and it has an exceptional piece of wood. Both are late 1970's to early 1980's manufacture. The most noticeable difference is the wood finish. Somewhere over the years, T/C changed from a satin finish to a glossy finish on their stocks. I don't know which came first. Both are beautiful. I haven't shot the flinter yet - that will come this weekend. Funny how things come togeather sometimes. Thought I'd share.

Does anyone know of a book or chart that shows the date of manufacture by serial number?

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9150/twins008.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/twins008.jpg/)

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/673/twins010.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/twins010.jpg/)

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7247/twins011.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/twins011.jpg/)

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7066/twins014.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/twins014.jpg/)

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7382/twins013.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/twins013.jpg/)

[roverboy]

Sorry I don't know a way to research serial nos. But you got a great couple of rifles there. Some of the Renegades shoot awesome. A guy told me he killed a big doe at 133 yards with one and a roundball. I've never liked the brass either. Its funny really the original Hawkens didn't have brass.

[Geraldo]

There is no way to check SNs except against known purchase dates. Whatever data there was got burned up in a fire. For reference, I bought my first Renegade in 1982-83 and it's a 127XXX SN. I also think the glossy finish was first, as that's what my old one has, but TC could have gone back and forth on that. I've got a lot of TCs of various vintages and stocks, hammers, and barrel stamps are not consistent based on the barrel SNs.

[bubba.50]

ya interested in gittin' rid of that ol' 54 barrel for a reasonable price?

[daddywpb]

ya interested in gittin' rid of that ol' 54 barrel for a reasonable price?

Already sold it.

[northmn]

Its not uncommon with factory rifles to get one with fancy wood and one plain like you have. That one has very nice wood. Good shooting have fun.

Northmn

[runnin lead]

From looking at the pictures you posted you have the old type lock on the flintlock.
You can upgrade that lock by ordreing a new frizzen & cockpiece (hammer),a new style touchehole liner would also be a good idea.
Changing to the new style frizzen & cockpiece will give you better spark & longer flint life,the new touchhole /flash hole liner will also help with more reliable ignition. The new liner has an allenhole/ hex hole that funnels the flame in kinda like coneingi the outside of the liner instead of a screwdriver slot.
With T/C's lifetime warantee you can send the lock back & they will upgrade the parts or just send you a new lock.
If that flintlock has a GOOD trigerpull with out using the set trigger I would not send the lock back no way no how ,I would just order the parts, if unset not so good maybe get a better unset pull if they did send a whole new lock & maybe not.
After upgrading the lock & flash hole liner on mine it works great.Get some good knapped
english or Rich Pierce flints ,get3/4 x 7/8 or 5/8 x7/8 if you can ,the 5/8 x3/4 are the corect width but a little short but will work.
If you don't have any antiseize sitting around get some from the autoparts or hardware store for when you change out the flashhole liner.
DON'T get saw cut flints they don't work as good as a good knapped flint.
Have lots of fun with your new toys !

[northmn]

If its an older flintlock, Runnin Lead's idea getting a spare frizzen is a good one. They used to wear through farily quick.

Northmn

[runnin lead]

I am not refering to a spare frizzen , T/C improved their lock with a improved cockpiece & frizzen that gives better spark & longer flintlife. They also redisigned their flashhole/touchhole liner for improved more reliable ignition.

[HEAD0001]

Doesn't the new lock also have a single trigger?? The set triggers in the Renegade are tougher to find. I have one in 50 caliber in the safe I am thinking about selling. It is a 70's era production. And I would have to double check but I think it also has a double set trigger. Tom.

[runnin lead]

Same lock as used on the T/C Hawken That has a set triger & many other models .
The T/C Newenglander for one shares the same lock, T/C made many other models over the years, think one was PA Hunter.
My Newenglander has a single trigger but still has a fly in the tumbler so it could have been set up with a set trigger. If T/C had one lock with a fly & one without that would be two locks in inventory instead of the simplicity of one .
If you look at the last picture in the !st post and look at the locklook at the cockpiece above the screh that holds the cockpiece to the tumbler at 12 o clock you can see ihow the top surface curves back down then flows up to the top of the cock piece.
The new style cockpiece don't curve down , it tapers to the top.
If my camera wasn't broken I would post a picture,
NICE pictures Daddywpb
the old type frizzen is the same color as the lock , the new frizzens are black
If any one here has the new style lock & a camera that works maybe they could post a picture.

[daddywpb]

I'm going to see how it shoots this weekend. If everything is ok, then I'm not going to change anything right now. I've seen the new flashhole liners. Midway has them. If they're the same threads, and are better, then I'll order the new ones. The one on the rifle has a screwdriver slot. Seems like an easy swap, just unscrew the old one and screw in the new one? The piece on the hammer that tightens down on the flint also has a screwdriver slot.

[runnin lead]

Liner is E_Z swap just like you said ,would be good to use some antiseize.
The screw to clamp down on the flint on mine has a screwdriver slot & a hole
drilled through it , don;t know if the hole was factory or done later.
The hole sure works nice , just slip a small allen wrench in the hole & tighten it down.
The hole is perpendicular to the slot.

[daddywpb]

I was wondering about that because the tool T/C sells to tighten the flint is a tiny allen wrench. I just figured they changed the hammer sometime after mine was made. I will take a closer look. Thanks for the info.

[runnin lead]

If no hole there it would be e-z to make one there , That is what I am planing fo my L&R
lock when I finish my .36.