Fired a Loyalist Arms Musket

[davidthered]

Although i'm a-still waitin' on my OWN L.A. musket, I did get the opportunity to handle, and fire one this past week-end.

Went up to Fort Niagara for the Patroits Week-end event, while there I met Jim Brown, a very knowlegable fellow, shoots and hunts regularly.
He had with him 2 versions of the 1728 Long Land Bess from Loyalist Arms. He up and offered me to borrow one to use for the week-end. I really didn't want to foul one of his beautiful guns, as I had a decent 2nd Model (Shortland)Pedersoli Bess from my Regiment, but I did take one out and got 3 nice shots off.
No 'click-fizzle-damn!' here, the action of the cock was smooth and this thing fired much faster than the Pedersoli I was using. Weighs a bit more, being about 5" longer, and with a stronger barrel, I expected that.
First thing I'm gonna do is get out some sandpaper, as the fore-swell is WAY thick, as are the relief carvings. I checked the fit of brass to wood, and could see no obvious flaws. Jim even took the lock apart to point out the extra strong springs in it, and the workmanship of the innerds.
I made sure to look at the grain direction at the waist, and it ran true to the waist, or along the waist, which I've been told is a good indicator of strength.
I also met another Arms Dealer, Les Szabo of Lion's Den Arms & Antiques. He hand makes cannon, mortars and other large ordinance, as well as repairs to all types of guns, muskets and such. He gave me his sage advice, and after checking it out, said the Loyalist Arms gun is a very good deal. More than worth the money.
Now, my musket has left the docks somewhere in India, heading for Nova Scotia, final destination... my hands!!
Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

 

[Stumpkiller]

They're made in India? I find that interesting, but not objectionable. More than coincedence that the final Land Pattern Musket (aka Brown Bess) was the East India Company Pattern? Hmmmm?

I remember an old National Geographic that showed a gunsmith making a replacement bolt for a WWII British SMLE. He forged the bolt and cocking handle into the approximate shape, welded them together, and then HAND FILED it to final fit and finish. Can you imagine what you would have to pay someone with the required skills to do that in the US?

I am thinking there might be a Britich Sea Service pistol in my future, and I still have this blunderbus craving (not a very practical hunting tool, but it should be a h*ll of a plinker).

 

[davidthered]

Yeah, India, odd eh? Both Heritage and Loyalist guns are from India.
Funny story I heard, a fellow had a musket, and it was missing one of the original brass screws. He replaced it with a modern silver screw (steel?) and had it sent to India for reproduction on a large scale, several dozen guns. When they came in, low and behold each muscket had that same silver screw!!
You give 'em something, say "I want a exact reproduction" and they do just that!

 

[capnwilliam]

There's a province somewhere in Asia I remember reading about where gunsmithing is the prevailing cottage industry. I understand the people there will make anything from a Brown Bess musket to an AK-47. Not sure about the quality of the metallurgy, and it might be a bugger trying to import some of the stuff!

Capt. William

 

[Xtramad]

There's a province somewhere in Asia I remember reading about where gunsmithing is the prevailing cottage industry. I understand the people there will make anything from a Brown Bess musket to an AK-47. Not sure about the quality of the metallurgy, and it might be a bugger trying to import some of the stuff!

Capt. William

You are referring to Darra in Pakistan. They even make anti-aircraft guns. There's proof that anti-gun laws will never work, we'll just make our own.

 

[davidthered]

That dude looks just like Al... ya know Al Kada??