Custom Flintlocks

[dylan84]

Has anyone just carried on with the early American way of taking what they liked from different rifle designs and just built their own? I mean most of these reproductions and kits aren't really that historically accurate anyway. Seems also there was a variance between gun makers and even differences in the same rifles as each was hand fit.

Was interested in building a Jaeger type rifle but most kits have something different I don't like. I am in the beginning of learning the ins and outs of these rifles. I would about rather just start with the best lock, barrel, and triggers then shape to fit with some nice wood I find.

Just curious if anyone has taken this approach and if you have would love to see pictures!

Thanks

 

[Pete G]

Sounds like Johnny Cash’s car.…

 

[olskool]

one piece at a time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[PathfinderNC]

You're building a rifle for you. Go for it.

 

[nchawkeye]

Yep, I built this one in 1988-1990, my rendition of an early North Carolina rifle...

 

[dylan84]

I guess I should have asked this question first. What is a really good lock and trigger? Thanks

 

[dylan84]

Yep, I built this one in 1988-1990, my rendition of an early North Carolina rifle...

Nice work!

 

[garypl]

Built this .40 in 1980 from a hodgepodge of parts - no particular style - I just wanted an accurate shooter!

 

[Rancocas]

Yes, but it's been 20 years since I built my own rifle.
I bought all the miscellaneous parts that I liked regardless to "school" or era. My first was a flintlock, Lancaster style - sort of. It worked, but it isn't pretty. Second came another Lancaster style, but this one is a percussion. It is very plain and except for the Lancaster style stock it resembles a Tennessee rifle. This has been my favorite hunting rifle ever since I made it back in 1998. Third, I made a little .45 percussion for my wife. It, too, turned out pretty well although it has a light maple stock that she likes, whereas I prefer a darker walnut or cherry. My fourth was a .54 Hawkin percussion. Also okay, but I much prefer longrifles.

I bought a nice .62 smoothbore in-the-white and finished it myself. My favorite fowler. I also put together a couple of kits that I keep on hand in case a friend wants to borrow a muzzleloader. I won't lend out my better stuff!
I bought a fancy custom late Lancaster style flintlock this past spring and have been using it this hunting season.

 

[garypl]

Back then Siler locks were the go to lock. I don’t remember where I picked up the other parts except for the barrel - G.R. Douglas premium barrel

 

[dylan84]

Built this .40 in 1980 from a hodgepodge of parts - no particular style - I just wanted an accurate shooter!

View attachment 178945View attachment 178946

That's a nice looking rifle. I bet .40 would be an all around pleasure to shoot! Coming from shooting a bunch of center-fire rifles I don't think shooting 50 balls are too bad either.

 

[PathfinderNC]

The second rifle I built was in 1989 (I think) was just a hodge-podge of parts that I got from here and there, from Dixie and Pecatonica and other places. I made my first sliding wood patch box for it and although it's quite thick looking at it now, I had nothing but old magazine pictures to go by. (The spring I made with an old hacksaw blade). I loved the large early Davis lock I put on it, too. Very fast and nice gun, and I should shoot it again. I do still like it.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

Every rifle I have made has been one of a kind and they all started with the purchase of a barrel. I love Berks County rifles because depending on what area of the county the smith worked in could be influenced by the adjoining county. You have gunsmiths who moved and produced rifles the same as they always had then others moved and totally changed their style. Then you have re-stocks, Ever seen an old rifle with a daisy head patch box on a roman nose stock, I have. If you look at the originals pretty much anything you can come up with has already been done so go for it. The current rifle I am finishing now is an Americanized version of an English Gentlemans Sporting rifle. It is primarily for hunting Don't know if it was ever done and really don't care. I'll be posting pictures of it in about a week when it is finished.

 

[TDM]

Chambers lock & Davis triggers are hard to beat.

I guess I should have asked this question first. What is a really good lock and trigger? Thanks

 

[VAN]

This is my hodge-podge gun recently put together without worrying about any certain style. Just had a 45cal CVA Kentucky barrel, L&R Flintlock, Leman half stock and a bunch of Iron Furniture I wanted to put to use. Turned into a favorite and a great shooter. I too like Chambers- Siler Locks & RE Davis triggers best. I'm starting to like this high pivot trade gun trigger better than a double set one, This L&R Lock sparks great too but not as smooth as Silers without some internal polishing. I build what I like unless I really want or need a certain period or specific style gun. I rushed it together and will go back and refine the stock some later.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

A combination of Reading and Lebanon Schools

 

[DuncNZ]

Build anything you like and you are happy with , Just don't call it a Hawken

 

[TDM]

Build anything you like and you are happy with , Just don't call it a Hawken

Nothing will get you tarred & feathered around here faster.

 

[BigAl52]

The second rifle I built was in 1989 (I think) was just a hodge-podge of parts that I got from here and there, from Dixie and Pecatonica and other places. I made my first sliding wood patch box for it and although it's quite thick looking at it now, I had nothing but old magazine pictures to go by. (The spring I made with an old hacksaw blade). I loved the large early Davis lock I put on it, too. Very fast and nice gun, and I should shoot it again. I do still like it.

Nothing not to like about it either. Because its all you no kit to start with. I have nothing against the kits that are coming out. It opens up another aspect of the hobby for a guy who doesnt have talents like others do. But I think these kits that are coming out might take away some business from the regular builder.

 

[dylan84]

And nothing against Kibler but those kits are so well fitted it's about like bolting together an AR-15! A side note on Jim Kibler. I started watching what he was up to on YouTube before I even knew I was into flintlocks. He had a video where he was making his own barrels and rifling them on a Haas TL-2! Using single point tooling that he had made. I was impressed to say the least. He makes an extremely quality product for the money.