Lets build a flintlock

[duckey]

So I have been pondering about buying a flintlock for some time now. My pops finished up a nice one about a year ago and after shooting it I had to have one. I don't want a Traditions kit but instead want to build a more period gun. I want some brass furniture on it, swamped octagonal barrel with plum browning, traditional sights, a nice figured stock and a decorative brass patch box. Maybe some carving on the stock but I have not decided. I plan on buying parts and pieces as the slush fund allows new or used. If anyone has any ideas, thoughts and of course pictures!....I am all ears. I am thinking .54 cal or .50 in 1:48 twist....in a Douglas barrel. I plan on looking on Track of the Wolf for starters. I put a link below for the gun my pops built. I am after something similar. If I didn't own an Apple computer I'd be able to have the pic posted instead of a link.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=153351&d=1447557440

[Hickory]

I've always admired the skill of someone who could build a nice looking firearm.
I never had the patients or skill to create such a gun, my skill level is about the same as a six year old's with two boards and a hand full of nails.

[725]

Dixon's ML builders fest comes around in July. They are just outside Reading, Pa. They have a web site you might want to check out.

[Edward]

Try Pecatonica River long rifle supply co. As they have some really pretty kits/parts

[RU shooter]

Word of advice precarved stocks are fine but don't get a pre inlet stock ! 8 outa 10 times the inlets aren't we're they actually need to be and everything needs to be in the proper place for everything to come together as it was designed ,Do lots of reading and videos and looking at pics of original rifles . Go slow be patient and ask questions . Pecatonica river is good so is muzzloader Builder's supply . It's not hard but it does take time and and understanding of how all the parts fit and work together .

[Old Scribe]

Pick up a copy of Muzzleloader magazine and look at the different ads by suppliers and gun builders. There's a wealth of information to glean there.

[duckey]

Thanks....I'll check these sources out. I am aiming towards a "Golden Age" era long rifle with at lest a 42" swamped barrel, Issac Haines (Lancaster PA) repro brass furniture by John Bivins.

[varsity07840]

Douglas no longer makes black powder barrels. If you want a swamped barrel you're probably going to have to go with a Rice or
Colerian.

[509thsfs]

I've done 2 kits from Track with no problems. Third is waiting on a backordered barrel and this one I did not have the lock area pre-inlet for something different and new learning. I also have another barrel on order waiting for me to decide what wood to order. None are swamped barrels though (saving that for project #5). I really did not have a problem with pre-inlet lock areas, but can see where there easily be some. With a straight barrel inlet, you have wiggle room to move the barrel. With a swamped barrel, you are pretty locked into barrel position, so I don't plan on having the lock area pre inlet for that project when I get to it. Lets me locate the lock where needed

[duckey]

I have a Colerain "C" barrel picked out. Colerain also offers a straight octagonal barrel which is the same as what I have chosen minus the tapering (I am assuming the tapering is what categorizes it as swamped). Now the barrel I picked out is labeled as a "swamped Barrel.....the same straight Colerain barrel is not labeled as a swamped barrel. Now when a barrel (whether straight or swamped) is set in a full-length stock...no one well see the tapering...or will they? The straight octagonal barrel is about $45 cheaper than the swamped. Is it worth going with a swamped? These barrels are on Track of the Wolf.

[duckey]

509thsfs

Do you have any pics of your guns you could post?

[GARD72977]

Swamped barrel strats out fat at breech then thins down in the middle and muzzle is fat. Helps reduce weight

[waksupi]

I have a Colerain "C" barrel picked out. Colerain also offers a straight octagonal barrel which is the same as what I have chosen minus the tapering (I am assuming the tapering is what categorizes it as swamped). Now the barrel I picked out is labeled as a "swamped Barrel.....the same straight Colerain barrel is not labeled as a swamped barrel. Now when a barrel (whether straight or swamped) is set in a full-length stock...no one well see the tapering...or will they? The straight octagonal barrel is about $45 cheaper than the swamped. Is it worth going with a swamped? These barrels are on Track of the Wolf.
Swamped barrels hold and handle much better than a straight barrel.

[taco650]

Look up "duelist1954" on YouTube. He has several playlists of flintlock rifle builds he's done. One was from Track of The Wolf and he's got a another series going right now in which he's building a swivel barrel flintlock.

I confess part of me wants to do exactly what you're doing but I just don't have the time to invest in it so a Traditions kit from Midway is probably going to be my route. I also like Hawken style ML best.

[RU shooter]

If you get a swamped barrel you need to get a stock that the channel is cut for that profile or yes you will see that gap in the middle part where the barrel thins down it would look rather bad .

[509thsfs]

509thsfs

Do you have any pics of your guns you could post?


.45 cal Bedford TOW kit
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww187/USAF-SP/flintlock%20build/rifle2%20corrected_zpsvhjcloja.jpg (http://s718.photobucket.com/user/USAF-SP/media/flintlock%20build/rifle2%20corrected_zpsvhjcloja.jpg.html)

.50 cal Bedford TOW kit with better grade wood
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww187/USAF-SP/Flintlock%20Build%20No2/smokey2c_zps4zqpdlx3.jpg (http://s718.photobucket.com/user/USAF-SP/media/Flintlock%20Build%20No2/smokey2c_zps4zqpdlx3.jpg.html)

These are my first two attempts at building. I need to improve my transition to the nose cap (among other things). Will do so on future builds. I have 2 more future build in the pipe, just collecting the parts and waiting on barrels. The rifles are tilted in the pics, so some proportions are distorted a bit

[bkbville]

Gee... really nice builds.... but you could of ironed the sheets... :kidding:

[duckey]

Great looking guns. Did you use nickel silver furniture?

[509thsfs]

No, it's brass. Lighting just makes it look that way. I have one build planned (waiting on barrel and some parts) that will be all German Silver except for the butt plate

[duckey]

Taco650....been waching duelist1954 on the YouTube and am about half way through the 19 videos. So far it all looks straight forward and just time taking ones time is crucial. I may switch gears and do the same kit as I like the Bucks County style stock. Not sure about all the engraving. Anyhow,, thanks for the heads up on the videos.

[taco650]

Taco650....been waching duelist1954 on the YouTube and am about half way through the 19 videos. So far it all looks straight forward and just time taking ones time is crucial. I may switch gears and do the same kit as I like the Bucks County style stock. Not sure about all the engraving. Anyhow,, thanks for the heads up on the videos.

I'm not into the engraving either and fancy carving on the stock... or brass furniture. I guess I like the "plain jane" look better. I just want a good hunting rifle for deer/elk.

[Texantothecore]

Future reference

[william l evans]

Jim Chambers flintlock kits. www.flintlock.com. Good kits. Bill

[william l evans]

Sorry www.flintlocks.com. Bill

[duckey]

Well I went with a TOW JP Beck. My barrel finally came in, found a Chambers large deluxe Siler at Muzzeleloaders Builders supply, still waiting on the extra fancy stock form Track, everything else is in stock. Been practicing my relief carving. At first I didn't think I could pull any stock carving off but after my first attempt I was decently satisfied. I am onto my second practice relief carving that has a lot more C scrolls. So I may just give it a go for this build.

[Deadeye Bly]

Check out Knob Mountain Muzzleloading. He does good work and his prices are in line. Don't get a 48" twist if you plan to shoot round balls. You'll need a slower twist to get accuracy with a good hunting powder charge.

[stubshaft]

Jim Kibler has a great new Colonial Kit. Basically mostly inletted and shaped but you need to finish it. One of the easiest types of flintlock to build is a Trade Gun. Caywoods ans Sitting Fox have some nice kits too.

[mpkunz]

Dixon's is always the last weekend in July. If you live in the area, there is a historical society in Nazareth, PA which meets on the site of the old Henry rifle factory (Jacobsburg Historical Society). They run a course over 10 Sundays in the spring in which you build under the supervision of a master flintlocksmith. I took the course 3 years ago, it was about $850.

[duckey]

I like the Kibler kit, maybe next build.

[duckey]

I looked on Knob’s site. I will keep him in mind. I have a lot of TOW gift cards so I kinda need to wait for Track to get my stock. Hurry up and wait. Placed order back in January.

[duckey]

Are there any engraving and relief carving pattern books available? I have Peter Alenaders book, as well as Recreating the American Long rifle. They don’t have much in the way of patterns, my free hand talent isn’t the strongest.