1780 Brit. Sea Service Pistol

[wy0mn]

Planning my wife's xmas gift.
She loves the Master and Commander movie, and has read that entire series.
My mail-order-bride is also an accomplished flintlock shooter, and was into the hobby long before I met her.
Now the questions:
*Does anyone have the TOW replica of this gun in firing configuration?
*Is the quality good enough for a piece that would see lots of use?
Thanks
Lex

 

[poordevil]

http://www.loyalistarms.freeservers.com/

 

[Many Klatch]

I believe Mike Lea built the pistols for that movie. Frank House was onsite to make sure everything worked and probably made some of the long guns. To match those guns exactly would take some custom work and engraving.

Any good pistol kit would come close. I don't think any Indian made pistol would do as well unless you just want to have one to wear and wave around.

Many Klatch

 

[Stumpkiller]

Track's is fireable (per them) BUT the vent is just a punched mark and must be drilled out to fire.

 

[ericb]

wy0mn - I purchased one of these Pistols about 3 yrs ago, and have to say my impression was not favorable. Workmanship is mediocre at best - wood to metal fit is poor, and when I went to drill vent I found the Breechplug in the way. I chalked it up to experience and simply made it a Display.

But in all fairness, I think with the Indian Guns the quality of the piece you end up with depends a whole lot on the particular "shop" it came out of and when it was made. Some people have gotten these guns and are quite happy with them as is; others happily put some time into them to get them where they want. But I wouldn't recommend that you buy one unless you can examine it first, or at least get it from a reputable dealer (like TOW) who will take it back if it's not what you expected or want.

People seem to Love or Hate the Indian Products, & it would be unfair of me to pass judgement on a singular experience, though I did come away with an opinion...

Eric

 

[LRB]

I would recommend MVTC. They stand behind theirs, and they are ready to shoot. More or less. All these Indian guns need lock tuneing.

 

[wy0mn]

Thanks men.
Still e-shopping and reading reviews, yours and others. No decision reached yet.
Really looking for functionality & durability, as this piece would see much use.
Since its hardly likely that I'll get the opportunity inspect one before purchase, she may wind up with a couple of wall-hangers before she receives "the one".
All your answers are appreciated.

Lex

 

[wy0mn]

OK, the TOW version is on order for her.
Next purchase will be my matchlock!

 

[ericb]

Look forward to your report...let us know how she goes...

Eric

 

[wy0mn]

Workmanship is mediocre at best - wood to metal fit is poor, and when I went to drill vent I found the Breechplug in the way.

OK, I've had a few days to fondle it...
*Fit is better than some modern economy guns I've owned, and beats at least one top dollar piece I have.
*The plug extends 2/3 of the way forward into the flash-pan. If I'd drilled the touch hole center on the pan (as marked) I'd have been in trouble.
*The only true flaw is the muzzle. It appears to have been cut with a pipe cutter, with no attempt to dress the 'crown' at all.
Now I'm excited to see her shoot this thing!

 

[Slamnslash]

I found this site researching this same pistol. I purchased mine a couple of weeks ago from TOTW too.

I drilled the flash hole and found the breach plug was ground in a funnel shape to the correct location of the flash hole.

So far I am really happy with it. I do not have much to compare it to because this is my first flintlock anything.

I have several percussion guns from the 60's and 70's but nothing newly manufactured.

The workmanship looks like what would be expected from India. IMHO looks pretty good for a $300 replica. English flints spark the frizzen well. I have been playing with Pyrodex in the flash pan and it sucks. Real BP works really well. Using some really old 3F I had, the ignition time is hard to tell the differance from a percusion gun.
The workmanship is a little rough but easily but cleaned up.
The only notable problem was the frizzen spring was way too heavy. Needle nose vise grips fixed that.
The wood is soso. When re-installing the barrel pins after drilling the flash hole on my drill press, I chipped the stock when driving the first pin back in. I chamfered the remaining pins and this worked :cursing: :idunno:

I am happy with the purchase. I had been searching Gunbroker for sometime hoping I could get a decent deal on one but I guess I am too cheap :wink: This is my 5th BP pistol and now I am looking at adding one of the less than $500 flintlock rifles from TOTW too. Anyone have experience with those?

Slamnslash

 

[Slamnslash]

Everybody likes pixs!