Help wanted to identify my Hatfield Rifle

[anj4de]

Hello

I would like to ask for help in identifying my Hatfield rifle. It's a .45 flintlock that I bought new in the US in December 1987. I got it from a shop called "The Frontloader" in Fontana/CA. I would like to know if it is still assembled in the US or already completely imported. Since the barrel has proof marks I think that at least the parts came from abroad. I paid 475$ back then. The screw that holds the lock I changed for a smaller head and the brass washer since I did not like the large screw head on the original.But let pictures talk...

 

[wattlebuster]

I cant help you with any info on your rifle but can say that's a fine looking piece of wood. Very pretty gun :thumbsup:

 

[stinkyfeet]

The gun pictured is the exact same gun as the Pedersoli frontier rifle with the maple stock. That gun today new cost around 1400 dollars and doesn't carry the hatfield name. But I ensure you its the same gun.

 

[bpd303]

The later guns barrels & locks were imported rest were produced by Hatfield. Here is a site with the story of Hatfield guns. http://www.handgunsandammunition.com/shotguns/3258-ted-hatfield-american-gunmaker.html http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...281194/post/1294586/hl//fromsearch/1/#1294586

 

[nchawkeye]

My wife flipped over the quilt!!! Did someone in your family make that???

Beautiful piece of curly maple on her....

 

[kaintuck]

I like that rifle!
I hate the 'patented breach' thing on these barrels...but easily remedied in a few minutes with a drill press~ and i wish they wouldn't of stamped all over the top of the barrel...I have a 36cal capper barrel I'm working with today in a southern mtn rifle,placed into walnut....seems to be working along fine.....we'll see it done in a couple of months maybe.
but your wood is way prettier than mine!

 

[hanshi]

I can't help you much with that rifle but since you got it in 1987 I would think it's probably American made. It's a beautiful rifle and a treasure.

 

[Rusty_Nail]

Sir,

Your barrel is Italian, and was made the year you bought the rifle. But it is not a bad thing. I haven't heard of a "bad" barrel on a Hatfield, or found it in posts on a few Sporting/Hunting boards where they have been spoken of!

This link shows the different marks for Italian manufacturers, and date codes that Zonie posted. Yours shows AS, which is 1987.

If you look with a magnifying glass at the breach end, you might see the Davide Pedersoli logo where the browning is missing on the bottom flat. It looks like a bottom half of an X, with Pedersoli at the top above the point, and DAV under it, sitting on or over the point. Mine is faint but you can see the bottom part, and can barely make out the Pedersoli and DAV.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/236956/

 

[Adui]

Cant help ID it, but I have to tell you it's surely a pretty fine looking rifle!

 

[mr.flintlock]

My first flintlock rifle was a Hatfield. It had a 39.5 inch 50 caliber barrel with a 1/56 twist. I believe that it was still made in America. It had a curly maple stock but not as high of grade as the one pictured here. It always hang fired and I thought this was normal because I had never shot a flintlock. I developed a bad flinch and missed several deer with it. After I had it for a while it got to where it would not ****. I examined the lock and discovered that the sear was chipped. I called Cabelas and asked where I could buy a new sear. They told me to send the rifle back and they would send me a new one. I told them it had expired the warranty. They looked up my purchase and it had expired by 2 months but they told me to return it and they would still exchange it for a new one. I sent it back and a few days later they called and told me they did not have another flintlock in stock and would I consider a caplock. Being pretty disappointed with the flintlock I told them yes. A week later my new Hatfield percussion arrived. I shot that rifle for years without any problem what so ever. In 1993 I got the itch for another flintlock and converted a drum and nipple percussion rifle to flint. To my surprise, it had little or no hang fires. In 96 I built new flintlock in 58 caliber. Getting back to the Hatfield: About 5 years ago I bought a Pedersoli flintlock and converted the old Hatfield to flint. I am well pleased with the conversion and ignition is always instantaneous. I have hunted exclusively with flintlock rifles since 1996. I don't particularly like some of the design features of the Hatfleld but it has proven to be a good rifle and is very accurate.