.45 cal Kentucky Style Flintlock Pistol

[Crow Beads]

I'm looking for a plain custom or semi-custom Kentucky style .45 cal FL pistol that would compliment my plain late Lancaster rifle. I don't want to build one and it would have to be brand new. I would be willing to spend less than $675. Is this wishful thinking? :redface:

The only mass-produced FL pistol that appeals is the Pedersoli Kentucky in maple which retails for around $530. Still, I'd feel better about something with one of the higher quality locks.

 

[chazz1975]

I vote for the Pedersoli Kentucky. I have one, I bought it used for $120 off gunbroker last year, and I took 3rd place in the Michigan NMLRA territorial with it last year. It's a 45 caliber percussion model. I really like it.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

There's indeed a big difference between percussion and flint locks. A fair quality percussion lock and the very best quality percussion locks really are close to indistinguishable. BUT flinters make a huge difference in performance. Pedersoli's are nice, and for extra funds you can get one that is finished a bit better. But you will still have close to the cost of a custom with far less performance.

 

[Crow Beads]

Charley: My wife has that exact pistol and loves it.

Zimm: It's a wonder someone didn't invent the percussion cap and lock sooner given the significant difference in complexity between the two mechanisms.

I can see by the lack of responses that my thinking was truly wishful. I am beginning to consider a kit. The TVM Tennessee pistol looks like a good candidate. My only concern is the browning process. I've tried this before with poor results. I just ordered Dixon's "The Art of Building the PA Longrifle" from TOTW at Melanie's (TVM) suggestion.

 

[Crow Beads]

Pedersoli's are nice, and for extra funds you can get one that is finished a bit better. But you will still have close to the cost of a custom with far less performance.

Are you referring to the maple vs. walnut models?
The difference in price is about $165. Surely the nicer wood only accounts for no more than $50 of that. Does the maple gun have a more tuned lock? I'd be happy to pay the higher price for a marginally better piece.

 

[George T.]

Keep an eye on the classifides here. From time to time there are good deals there. Geo. T.

 

[Crow Beads]

Heck,I don't mind having a conversation with myself so here's the latest on my pistol situation.

I just ordered a Pedersoli Kentucky .45 pistol kit in maple from the Possible's Shop. It was the last one in stock and Don said he can't get them anymore. So I feel pretty lucky. Photos when it's done. :grin:

 

[nmdd]

You will have fun building it, the walnut flintlock was my first bp gun. I built it from a kit and knew absolutely nothing about muzzle loaders, having only seen pictures of them...

I didn't even know you weren't suppose the fill the holes for the ramrod thimbles.... :rotf:

 

[Crow Beads]

That's much improved over the standard finish of the production guns. I will eventually refinish all three of our existing Pedersolis (Deb's Kentucky caplock pistol, her PA Scout flinter and my new Kentucky flintlock rifle.