For 25 years, this has been in the closet

[malfakir]

I could definitely use the help of experts on this one. I recently heard the news of a dear friend passing away. Sadly, the last thing the guy did when I saw him 15 years ago, was hand me this flintlock pistol, with broken sear and main springs, and ask me to take better care of it than he did.

I would like to fix it and fire it in memory of him. I had searched high and low for a source for new springs and came up empty. I know this is a Kentucky pistol but that is about it. I have no clue who makes it (just says made in Italy). I looked online and these springs are very much manufacturer dependent. Any thoughts on who the maker is and where I can get these two springs? I would be grateful to you guys forever

Here are a couple of pictures!

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Looks like an Italian proof mark and when I zoom in the barrel is marked "Italy" so I think it is a Pedersoli "Kentucky" flintlock pistol. The image on the Pedersoli website looks like a shorter barrel, but they are still sold by Cabela's. Pedersoli still shows their "Bounty" flintlock pistol (the Kentucky with a longer barrel) so the lock parts are still available. Pedersoli shows the lock fully assembled is available.

I'd contact VTI Gunparts for the parts that you need.

LD

 

[Claude Mathis]

1968
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/236956/

 

[Billnpatti]

Give Track of The Wolf a call. They carry a bunch of springs and they may be able to tell you what spring you need. If worse comes to worse, you can always send them the broken springs to match up. I once did that with a nipple from an old revolver. They quickly found the correct nipple for my revolver and sent me 6 of them. They are good folks to work with.

My next choice would be Dixie Gun Works. They, too, stock a lot of springs and may have the ones that you need.

Another possibility is Flintlocks, Inc, in Nineva, IN. They have a lot of parts for flintlocks.

The Log Cabin Shop in Lodi, OH used to have a man who did nothing but work on locks. You may want to check with them.

One of these places may be able to tell you over the phone what springs you need but it may turn out that you will have to send one of them your lock or the broken springs so they can send you the correct springs.

Don't worry, one of these places will have what you want.

 

[Many Klatch]

Along with purchasing the springs you will need a Spring Vise. You don't really want to use a Vice Grip to install the springs. Another item you will need is some new flints and real black powder. Modern blackpowder equivalent powders will not work in a flintlock. I think those pistols were normally made in 45 caliber, so some .440 ball should work.

 

[malfakir]

I am amazed at the wealth of information this article contains. I knew such information exists but what a fantastic surprise to see it summarized in one location. I plan to print this article and save it.

Thank you very much for this Claude. It is outstandingly helpful!

Moe66VA

 

[Nappers]

The Gun Works in Oregon has a great selection of parts not shown on their site. Give them a shout too if you run out of resources.

 

[rdstrain49]

Don't overlook Dixie Gun Works. Most of the time when I call them for parts, half expecting to have to look else where, they have in stock what I'm looking for. Also check around with local shooters. Many of us have stuff laying around that you might be able to use for comparison or maybe even acquire for the price of a cup of coffee.

 

[malfakir]

Thank you very much. After a lot of calling around, I was able to find the parts from Flintlocks Inc. They were quite helpful. As they said, I had to do some fiddling and filing but I managed to make it all fit together.

The cocking is very stiff, I think the little part (tongue) that depresses the spring main is a bit worn out so it barely catches the end of the spring, resulting in hard cocking. Hopefully I won't need a replacement part for that.

Going to shoot it now. I assume 5/8" flint, 30 grains max fffg, and .44 ball and .01 patch?

Moe

 

[rdstrain49]

I have a Pedersoli Kentucky pistol. The main spring came off a Dodge truck, almost takes two hands to cock it. After just a little work, the trigger breaks like glass at 4 pounds. Don't worry about the heavy main spring, just enjoy it.