American Jaeger Flint Rifle Kit

[vulture]

I am really interested in purchasing one of Pedersoli's Jaeger rifle kits, Dixie has them for just over a grand, a lot of money for sure but I really like the looks of this rifle, more so than the custom kits I see from places like TOW. I know the componants I would get from the semi custom kit places, TOW and others, would be far better, but I would still be left with a stock configuration that I wouldn't care for. Do any of you have any experience with this rifle, should I stay away from it, or go for it? Thanks for you help folks. Stew.

 

[KHickam]

They shoot and function well :thumbsup:

 

[tecum-tha]

This gun has nothing to do with a jaeger rifle or jaeger stutzen. It has not the required geometry or even the "suitable" correct calibers.
The thing is way too thin in the butt stock.
I would say it is a mix out of a jaeger rifle, a hawken stock with a parallel barrel. Most likely it will not have a correct flint breech either and not a swamped barrel.
A waste of money as a kit when there are so much better alternatives.
I would always go with the TOTW kit, if I would not build from a blank to start with.
The question is really, what do you not like on the stock configuration? The stock is what makes a jaeger rifle a jaeger rifle. The hefty butt stock will reduce the recoil and together with the swamped barrel makes it a very balances and quick pointing gun. The wide butt plate will give you just a shove even with the bigger calibers. My buddies grandson has no issue shooting my .65 original jaeger with a standard load. The cheek piece will put your eyes right on the sights for quick shouldering.
Before I would dump a grand++ of $$$, I would do some research and may think you maybe better suited with an English Sporting Rifle???

 

[Pete G]

I looked at that kit once also. Track's Jaeger kit is way better. It has the proper geometry the right barrel in the proper calibers and a much better lock. Once you have had a good lock you will not be happy with the Pedersoli locks. They aren't too bad, but the ones I've had experience with are a loooong way from being great.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Poke around the web a bit more to see more versions of historic Jaegers. Both US and European. It was a design that endured for awhile which tells you it met with a fair amount of free market acceptance.

You're going to be married to this build for awhile in your shop, (and much longer in the rack) so research on the front end pays handsome dividends on the back end.

Pedersoli locks and barrels do not have the reputation that American ones (like Chambers and Rice) do. Those reputations were earned.

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

A friend of mine got a jaeger with the flint and percussion locks from Dixie about 4 months ago and the flintlock was a mess. The geometry was wrong and the flint was hitting the frizzen just below the middle and the angle of attack was not steep enough and the flint would just bash into the frizzen. I had to put a spacer under the flint in the jaws to correct the problem. It now fires reliably but looks odd. I wouldn't waste my money on that rifle.

 

[Zonie]

Although I agree with some of the other guys comments I think the kit you should buy all comes down to your skills.

If you want a kit that needs some sanding, a little shaping and browning or blueing the steel parts, the Pedersoli kit is made for you.

Most if not all of the parts will need very little done to the wood to get them to fit. The holes are drilled and threaded.
All in all, it shouldn't take more than 20-30 hours to be totally finished.

All of this comes with accepting the existing looks of the factory made gun.

If you do change your mind and go with the "kits" from TOTW or Pecatonica River you will need to do considerably more stock shaping. This includes thinning, recontouring, installing the butt plate, recutting the mortice for the lock, trigger, trigger guard, sideplate, thimbles and nosecap.
The screw holes will need to be located, drilled and threaded.
The trigger guard and butt plate castings will need to be sanded and polished. Any screw holes for attaching them will also have to be located and drilled.

Without going on, you will have to know about some metal work, wood work and finishing methods.

Figure on spending at least 140 hours of your time to make a finished gun.

 

[vulture]

Ok, my skills are adiqute to build a rifle from parts, as long as the barrel and ramrod are inlet and drilled, I can do those but it's just more work and hassle than I want to do, on the other hand it's not a Jaeger, or Yaeger, or how ever the Germans spell it, that I want, it's a rifle that looks like that particular rifle. I am not looking for HC, there is no one I shoot with that knows the difference between correct and wrong when it comes to these guns. I have considered getting a Lancaster pre-inlet stock and go from there with a short barrel, large bore, and the fittings I desire, and no most of you would not care for it, but if it look the way I want it to then it would be perfect, and yes I know that a good lock is not just important but esential, that is the main reason I was asking about Pedersolie's rifle. I am just in the thinking stage right now and will continue to think and look for a while. Thanks folks for all of your comments, they are very helpful and give me things to think about. Stew.

 

[Spikebuck]

Having built the ToW Jaeger myself I can tell you that it has lots of wood to create the Jaeger you want. The entire forestock is square, so you have to completely shape from the lock panels forward. The buttstock has lots and lots of wood to work with. If you have the skills to almost build from scratch, I'd buy the ToW kit before spending over a grand on the Pedersoli kit.

Link to my build post

In the above link you'll find my post on my build and see a lot of pictures, if that helps you.

Best wishes in your decision.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Poke around the web a bit more to see more versions of historic Jaegers.

Or take me up on my offer to send you a copy of a 1971 article from American Rifleman about Jaegers. Great article. I'm glad I saved it and have sent to many people. PT me you e-mail address if you want it.

 

[54ball]

Although not a Jaeger, here is an early longrifle kit with some Jaeger features
Link Clay Smith's Christian Springs

Frankly the Dixie kit is over priced for what it is.
A Clay Smith or Jim Chambers parts set are much better values, cheaper Boy you sure don't hear that much when talking about these quality sets, that goes to show how overpriced than rifle kit from Dixie really is!! and of better quality components.

If I was going to invest in a Pedersoli Kit from Dixie, A Brown Bess would be the only one I would consider.

Pedersoli's rifle and trade gun locks are OK, kind of hit and miss. If I'm spending that kind of money, OK won't cut it.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Dixie isn't the place to get stuff. Most of what they sell is available much cheaper elsewhere. As an example; their cannon barrels come from Hern, and are available from them directly at about 1/2 the price. All Dixie adds to justify the mark up is a touch hole. 15 minutes tops.