I've never had the privilege of handling one, but based upon many, many pictures and even more numerous write-ups, I'd vote Dave Person every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
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Favorite Builder
- Thread starter Cattywompuss
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I’m a fan of Allen Martin, great guns.
Another vote for the Emigs at Cabin Creek.
I dont have a favorite builder per se, but Ron Elhert certainly comes to mind. My only BP rifle made by someone else is one of his SMR's and its really something. He was a master.
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Why in the world would Mike Brooks be banned?
fillwa
40 Cal
Jack Hansberry builds very nice flintlocks. I own one and know many others that own one or more flintlocks built by Jack. They are works of art.
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Hacker Martin, deceased 1970, present day Hershel House. I dare say probably more competent craftsmen today than in the hey day of building.
Eric Kettenburg is my favorite builder. Highest level knowledge of original early Pennsylvania rifles and highest level story-making creativity. The end result is always a gun that is very interesting and artistic. Ken Gahagan is in the same vein.
i needed help with a question i had asked on here about a year ago. the only one that gave me the real answer that was fact and not feelings, and took the time to explain why was Dave Person. never held one of his guns but they have to be good, because he is a good man. i vote for him, Dave Person ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Sidney Smith
58 Cal.
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Me
Snakebite
45 Cal.
Jim Parker, Calvary Longrifles.
ChiefClaude
.37 Caliber, Ken Netting Rifle.
"Opinions are subjective but: who's your favorite flintlock builder? Simple question, purely subjective, arguments not welcome."
I have seen a few flintlock guns made by William Buchele--they are made to be beautiful and useful. Buchele was a well-known gunmaker and author during the 1950s through the early 1970s and he died in 1977. My brother-in-law (who usually does not like "copies" or "repros"), bought a Buchele-signed flintlock rifle several years ago and it is wonderful. It has very distinctive curly maple wood, carvings, silver inlays and decorative brass fixtures.
I just bought a beautiful, but still simple-looking Lehigh Valley style (dropped stock look) flintlock rifle at the Lodi, Ohio, Log Cabin Shop. It was made and signed by Ken Netting, using a W.M. Large, J.J.J.J. signed, .40 caliber 42 ½” barrel (gun is overall 57 ½” length).
William “Bill” M. Large was one of the best barrel makers back in the 50's and 60's. Bill Large made muzzle loading rifle barrels in Ironton, Ohio from the 1920's until his passing in 1985. His barrels were marked with his name and “J.J.J.J.” to honor his four daughters whose first names all began with the letter “J”. His match barrels were also marked with "L." which indicated a little more attention, such as the hand dressing of the concave lands.
My Ken Netting made rifle is a beautiful curly maple, full stock which is lightly engraved the entire length. It has no brass adornments. The steel butt plate is two-piece, the top metal beginning at the barrel tang, inlaid and ending in the middle of the butt. The other half is separated in the middle of the butt and goes about halfway under the stock. There, embedded is a single white diamond, about ½”, with a centered black dot, is embedded on the bottom middle of the stock. The double-set triggers are adorned with an engraved steel trigger guard, steel thimbles, steel lock plate, and steel patch box on the right side. The barrel and all the steel bands and trimmings were given an aged-looking patina on the steel-trimmed items.
I wish to learn more about Ken Netting and eventually talking to him about my rifle. Claude Collins, [email protected]
I have seen a few flintlock guns made by William Buchele--they are made to be beautiful and useful. Buchele was a well-known gunmaker and author during the 1950s through the early 1970s and he died in 1977. My brother-in-law (who usually does not like "copies" or "repros"), bought a Buchele-signed flintlock rifle several years ago and it is wonderful. It has very distinctive curly maple wood, carvings, silver inlays and decorative brass fixtures.
I just bought a beautiful, but still simple-looking Lehigh Valley style (dropped stock look) flintlock rifle at the Lodi, Ohio, Log Cabin Shop. It was made and signed by Ken Netting, using a W.M. Large, J.J.J.J. signed, .40 caliber 42 ½” barrel (gun is overall 57 ½” length).
William “Bill” M. Large was one of the best barrel makers back in the 50's and 60's. Bill Large made muzzle loading rifle barrels in Ironton, Ohio from the 1920's until his passing in 1985. His barrels were marked with his name and “J.J.J.J.” to honor his four daughters whose first names all began with the letter “J”. His match barrels were also marked with "L." which indicated a little more attention, such as the hand dressing of the concave lands.
My Ken Netting made rifle is a beautiful curly maple, full stock which is lightly engraved the entire length. It has no brass adornments. The steel butt plate is two-piece, the top metal beginning at the barrel tang, inlaid and ending in the middle of the butt. The other half is separated in the middle of the butt and goes about halfway under the stock. There, embedded is a single white diamond, about ½”, with a centered black dot, is embedded on the bottom middle of the stock. The double-set triggers are adorned with an engraved steel trigger guard, steel thimbles, steel lock plate, and steel patch box on the right side. The barrel and all the steel bands and trimmings were given an aged-looking patina on the steel-trimmed items.
I wish to learn more about Ken Netting and eventually talking to him about my rifle. Claude Collins, [email protected]
I’d second all that Mark just said. Ken is a true craftsman, historian, gentleman and a an all around great guy. Someday I’ll own one of his rifles… I just need to save up my coin.
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Very good! You covered the art side of it in no uncertain terms. But does it shoot?
My personal favorite is Ron Luckenbill. On top of being a great builder, Ron is also a top shot, so he knows how to build a rifle for shooting. I have had many guns from various builders through the years but Ron nails it on all levels. He is also a great person! Here is a near bench copy of an early Bucks rifle that he built for me a few years back.
Ken Netting is no slouch, that's for sure. My favorite smoothbore is one built by Ken in 28 gauge.
Oh that’s nice!!!
No favorite builder but here's a tip: When buying either a flintlock or percussion rifle.....ask the seller if BOTH triggers work if buying a set trigger rifle!! The front trigger should release the **** from the full **** position without use of the set trigger! If it doesn't....something is askew!!
