Euroarms 1803 Harpers Ferry

[springfield art]

Just a note about the "kits" from Track of the Wolf, Pecatonica River and the other companies that supply them.

All of these "kits" consist of a roughed out wooden stock, a lock and trigger and several parts like the trigger guard and butt plate that are left in the raw, cast condition.

All of the parts must be finished and inlayed into the stock. None of the holes for screws exist so they will need to be drilled and tapped.

Figure at least 100 hours and usually more like 160 hours of work to assemble and finish one of these. They are definitely NOT the type of kit offered by Traditions, Lyman, Pedersoli or the other big companies.

Good advice!

 

[springfield art]

Hi Black Jack,
The only one 1803 Harper Ferry that I held at a gun show, the stock had a satin finished stock.
It was not "neon " shiny, but would have looked better with a hand rubbed oil finish.
The barrel was a brilliant blue.
Navy Arms had one with a browned barrel, but apparently the lock was not the best.
Also some of the original rifles had a browned varnish on the stock.
Perhaps I'm too hard.
Sometimes we expect any or all the repro guns that we see, to meet precisely what the originals may or could have.
I feel that the Harper's Ferry 1803 rifle to be the most graceful of all military guns.
Fred

Most modern repros need some "aging" or toning down of the finish to look right. Some guys are really into that, other newbies maybe not so much, there's lots to learn about muzzleloading!