changing percussion rifle to flintlock

[isthisok]

Been a member for some time, taking in a lot of good and entertaining information from all of you like minded folks. First post, so bear with me as one who probably isn't as well versed in the art of gunsmithing as some of you.
I have a .45 cal. Numrich Arms, Minuteman that I want to convert to flintlock. I was thinking about using a gunmakers lock with the large rectangular plate so as to match the existing profile of my percussion lock.
Has anyone done something similar and if so, is this rifle worth doing this to?
Thanks for taking the time to read this post, and I appreciate any comments on this.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

If you can get the sear lever to fit, along with the rest of the internal components of the lock, and get the touch hole to line up, you should be good to go. Others here will know more than I but that's my 2 cents worth :thumbsup: And welcome to the forum! :grin:

 

[tenngun]

Not familur with your gun except by name. Does it have a drum. To change a gun you just pull the drum and stick a touch whole liner in. Put on the new lock. All about 150-160 dollars. Dixie gun works made its "Tennennesse rifle" in a convertible form. I converted a rifle years ago. I could go back And forth, however after changing to flint lock I never changed back.
Useing a patten breach with some sort of snail you would have to replace that with a differnt breach plug, a lot more work. It is worth it if'n you like smoke in your face...I do :wink:

 

[nwtradegun]

here are parts if its worth it. http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufa...MuzzleloadingRifles-36550/Minuteman-37477.htm

 

[Knapper51]

You have me reaching way back into the dusty parts of my memory. Numrich Gun Parts Corp purchased the rights to the Hopkins & Allen name and made a number of different models. Some were stamped Hopkins and Allen and later ones just Numrich. This was back in the 1970's I believe. The Minutemen was available in flint or percussion. Both were known to have weak springs. I just now looked on the GPC website and they still offer parts including a flint lockplate. You might want to give them a call about your project.

Knap

 

[BEP]

Funny you should ask; I posted about this just recently. I have the same .45 caliber Minuteman that I convert back and forth although I must admit that the flintlock is my favorite. Your Minuteman has a drum and nipple set-up; you can just unscrew the drum and install the appropriate vent liner. Mine came as a flinter; I was fortunate to have an original percussion minuteman lock in my "stash" of things and stuff that I'd accumulated over the years. Both locks have the same profile so the percussion lock is a drop-in. The barrel is actually a .44 caliber rifled with a 1 in 48 twist; a .433 ball with appropriate patch works well. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Spikebuck]

I was thinking about using a gunmakers lock with the large rectangular plate so as to match the existing profile of my percussion lock.
Has anyone done something similar

Sear to center of pan length is critical. I just converted a Pedersoli using the Chamber's builder's lock. Sear to Center of pan was a perfect match to the percussion lock dimensions that were on the gun.

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[Grizzly Adams]

Exactly. And happy birthday! :grin: