Dixie flintlock-Japan

[StevePrice2]

this weekend I attended an antiques show in Salt Lake and while searching for tools and cutlery came across a flintlock pistol.

It has stamped on the barrel near the breech, Dixie Gun Works and the word Japan. The booth owner said they were better made than the current product. It appears to be modeled after the 1805 Harpers Ferry pistol.

So for $100.00 would this have been a good purchase? Gun was complete-minus the flint and leather. Very good fit and finish with nice wood, brass, steel and decent balance. No sights fore or aft. Caliber was guestimated to be .68 smoothbore.

While I am yet to own a flinter or BP pistol, this looked like a good deal based on what I saw and held against current pricing. I got his biz card and will see him in 2 weeks at the local gun show. He may still have it then.
Thoughts?

thanks,
Steve

 

[bingo1952]

If it was in good shape i.e. no rust it was/is a very good price.

 

[mazo kid]

If it was in good shape i.e. no rust it was/is a very good price.

Yep, I wold buy all I can find at that price. Most are over $200 or more. Could be a reason the guys still have them too. My first one was a kit from Dixie, back in the 70s and it cost less than $20 IIRC.

 

[Many Klatch]

If it is a Harpers Ferry copy and the lock works and the trigger pull is acceptable it is a good price.

I have bought Japan made flint pistols that were worth only $25. The most recent project was a .64 caliber smoothbore that required a new frizzen and mainspring. I had to recarve the half and full cock so that they actually worked. I also had to reshape the stock to get rid of the clunky excess wood. The half cock originally had a better trigger pull than the full cock.

Look it over closely, the quality varies wildly with Japanese made pistols.

Many Klatch