How did you get into the BP Sport and why choose Flintlocks

I have always wanted a Penn/Kentucky Long rifle
Flintlock a small cal. max 45, a bit of Brass bling would be nice..
There is a local Gun Dealer that has BP's for sale.
He also swap/Trades like most do but this guy won't beat you up. he is pretty fair and he treats his regular customers very well on trade in's.
Let me bounce this off you guys. I have a WW2 1942
High Standard Mod B-US,semmi Automatic .22 LR 6.75" Barrel, marked Property US and has the Navy's "ships Wheel" roll engraved.I knew the guy that had it until he passed, he wanted me to have it because he was a friend of the Family, he was always a great neighbor, and he took me out BP shooting early on but he was getting frail so being young I just started doing his yard needs, and leaves,also home repairs.. (I made sure and talked to his Wife Donna first to get the OK). He reacted the way I thought he would as any old stubborn old Navy Salt would. so I used a little slight of hand with him and I switched up and said I'd help him out IF he got tired or felt bad.. That did it.. He would get about 15 minutes out there then would come up with something like this "Larry I found something here can you check it out"? that was his way of handing over the tool without saying he was hurting...
Walt had a Stroke and was in bad shape, I went to see him, They didn't want to let me go in saying direct family only. I said I was his Son, the Nurse opened the door to ask him but he saw a glimpse of me and he yelled SON! I'M SO GLAD TO SEE YOU!
His kids didn't make it up being out of State..
I spent a solid week with him, just BEING THERE for him. Walt Hovde passed away June 29th 2003 2 months before my Daughter.

It is an outstanding shooter and NEVER EVER hangs.
This is off topic ...KIND OF... but I am asking opions here if I should offer this for trade for the Long Rifle Flinter or a Single Shot Pistol FL.
I have his story how he got it.. they had the Navy guys go through training with them to introduce new recruits to basic handgun use. .22 ammo was a LOT cheaper.... Another guy left his at
the range, he couldn't hit anything.. He set the pistol down and walked out.. Walt grabbed it saying he knew him and didn't want to get him in trouble..
Well the guy was washing out, he told them where the gun was.. of course it wasn't there!!
Walt tried to tell them but when he started talking they asked if he knew the thief? He would get MAJOR Brigg time, get busted down.. so he shut up! he snuck it out that night when he had a pass and stashed it with his Girl Donna future wife.... The other guy had to repay the $22.00 cost of the gun lol... So I'd be looking for something with a good bore,& hardware,
A Kit or if it needs wood refinished no big deal.
If it is complete,all the better. A Flint Pistol same thing.........as long as they arent junk.
What would you guys do? PM me so I don't get farther off topic. I hope I'm not breaking rules here. I'm asking for advice, and the Pistol is valued at Cabellas up to $475.00 or so.. I'd need to trust you, if I brought a pic of something for you to rate it. I really need your knowlege...
The last week I have been going to bed with visions of Smoke polls dancing in my head...
Please again I am trying to stay in the rules. if you need to go ahead and delete this without even telling me. I'm just looking to use the Smartest
guys I know....
Larry

You asked for opinions, so here is mine.
If it were my pistol and it had the story behind it that yours does..... I wouldn't trade it for the most ornate, hand-forged barrel, all parts made by hand, flintlock ever made. There are some things that have value far beyond their monetary worth.
In my safe there is a half-stock plans rifle with downright awful stock architecture. It is heavy, I seldom shoot it, and I wouldn't sell it for any amount of money. It was built by one of my early mentors in this game, a real old-timer who seemed ancient to a 16 year old newbe in 1968. He ended his life after suffering a stroke, and everything was sold at auction. I got that rifle and an original chunk gun. The chunk gun was stolen, so the plains rifle is the only thing I have to remind me of him.
The best friend I ever had was a man old enough to be my father. I have tools that he gave me, and tools that I bought at his estate sale. I will never part with them. Before they were mine, they were HIS.
Right now, trading off that pistol might seem like a good idea. Down the road a few years, you will wish you had not. Keep it,it can't be replaced.

 

For me, it all started with the book our local school system used to teach third grade reading. The entire book told the story of a boy moving from the east to settle in the Chicago area when it was still mostly wilderness. There was a picture of a flintlock that, for some reason, really got my attention. After third grade, two books by Indiana author Charles Major, Bears of Blue River, and Uncle Tom Andy Bill, kept the interest alive.
Third grade was 1960, so it coincided with the beginning of the Civil War Centennial. A toy company that made toy 03/A3s came out with toy muskets that fired cork round balls, propelled by Greenie Stickum Caps. It was my first muzzleloader. (As I think about it now, it might have taught a bad habit. It was impossible to dry-ball it. Unless of course you ran out of Greenie Stickum Caps.)
The first real muzzleloader, an FIE percussion rifle was 1968. I ruined it learning everything the hard way, but it got me hooked. It was percussion. I was green, I didn’t know any better. The second muzzleloader was percussion as well, a 28 gauge from Century Arms, bought for the grand sum of $19.95. Things kind of snowballed from there. With the exception of the Tower pistol ”“ another 20 buck gun, it was always percussion.
The first flintlock was bought with my final Air Force check in 1974 (April 16 to be exact. How many of you know the exact date you got your first flintlock?) when I stopped at Dixie Gun Works on my way back home. It was an early Freddie Harrison rifle, and the lock was a piece of junk that might have soured someone who was less “into it”. The lock was eventually replaced with a Siler ”“ almost but not quite a drop-in ”“ and the rifle did me well for many years.
After that first flintlock rifle came many others, both rifle and smoothbore. So many in fact that I can’t remember all of them. Some I wish I had back, some I don’t miss at all. There are cap guns in the safe, and they do see use. But most of the time the gun I pick for a day of matches or just plinking will be a flintlock. There is just something about ”˜em a caplock doesn’t have.

 

[buffalo]

Sad to say it took me 26 years to figure out a flintlock is way more fun than a precussion.

I stumbled one of the first 2000 50 caliber flintlocks made by T/C 2 summers ago. The previous owner was left handed and the gun right handed. Said the flash made him flinch too much.

I'm now the 3rd owner of this wonderful flintlock. It was in great condition and loved by the 2 previous owners.

It has yet to take a deer only because Nebraska had a severe outbreak of EHD and lost 50 to 70 percent of the deer herd in the eastern part of the state.

This fall I hope to draw a muzzle loader antelope tag. If not, deer during December. Herds are starting to come back.

 

[Artificer]

You may not realize the Marine Corps was still a part of the Navy in WWII and not a Separate Armed Service until 1952. So Marines also used that pistol (with U.S. Navy markings) for initial training in pistol familiarization and practice before switching to the Colt .45 Auto in WWII. Thus it also has special interest to collectors of Marine Corps Militaria, as well.

However, I VERY much agree with Randy Johnson about not trading away that pistol towards a longrifle, because of your personal history behind it. I really believe you would sorely regret it later, if you did. Just my opinion.

Gus

 

[Larry Beach]

Randy/Gus,
Thanks for the sage advice..
It is something I cant replace, and you are right. The B will stay in the Family for at least this Generation. Funny how things sound good sometime until you see somebody else write it down..
It now seems like a sin to even think about it..
Thanks for looking after your little Brother.
You both have someone else looking up to you now.
Larry

 

[MC One Shot]

LOL, I remember those cork rifles in fact I still have mine. One of the few childhood things that have survived the decades. My mother some how kept it. Just need to find cork balls. Last cork ball I ripped out of an old scout whistle.

 

[MSW]

once upon a time in a land far away there lived a paratrooper, who, when he wasn't jumping out of airplanes and practicing his terrible fearsome WAR FACE, haunted local gun shops. now usually, this Paratrooper hung out where one could find all manner of manly- man, hairy- chested guns, such as FN-FALs and AR15s and HKs and Kalashnikovs of all types and sizes, but then

he went into a little shop called Cumberland Knife and Gun (which, regrettably, has closed) and he saw guns which did not require detachable box magazines, and then


he asked to see the flintlock, which looked forlorn and scruffy on the wall, and then

he put the rifle to his shoulder (que up the chorus here) ... his eyes glassed over and he pulled out his credit card and asked not, "how much is this rifle of great power?" but "what else do I need?" and then

he took the rifle to the range and fired it, and all was right with the world and then

he returned to his little cottage, where he shot happily ever after

:grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

 

[elijah79]

This looks like a good thread to chime in on.
I'll admit that my interest in Black Powder didn't start by any televisions shows or stuff like that. We didn't have much in the way of channels growing up. Living in Montana, one of the requisite courses in Jr. High was Montana History and we talked extensively about the fur trade and so forth and learning about that era and the people in it fascinated me to no end. I remember making lists (something I still do today) of what I'd have in my possibles bag and what kind of rifle I wanted, back then I was into Hawken Cappers, I've wised up now. I'd tell my parents I wanted to be a mountain man and live like they did sometimes.
I grew up in a family that taught Hunter's Education. I started as an assistant instructor at 12 and worked into an adult instructor. Part of the material we covered was Black Powder firearms. That only fueled the interest.
Here I am at 35 and I finally have my first BP rifle, though it's a percussion, that I'll be passing down to my boys as soon as my flintlock gets here in the mail! I thought percussion would be easier but I was looking at the traditionality of things and discussing it in a Facebook group the other day and a guy told me that if I can afford it, to shoot a flintlock and another said if I don't know how to shoot one then learn. A third guy said that if God intended man to shoot percussion, he'd have spread percussion caps all over Mother Earth. That was just the other day and at THAT MOMENT I absolutely knew I had to have a flintlock. Well, now I've got one coming in the mail and I can't wait.
Thankfully I'm still mildly young. I'm 35 so I've got plenty of time to let the effects of this "bug bite" sink in fully and drive me into poverty. :grin: I'll certainly be asking lots of questions, but I'm looking forward to this journey!!

 

[hanshi]

Welcome to the forum, E. Corrigan. There are a number of good threads open as I post.

 

[Maven]

Any chance you know Ric Carter (aka Waksupi on some sites) in Somers, MT?

 

[Alden]

Welcome E! Maybe you'd be interested in starting a little thread about your "possibles" list and the flintlock you chose, and why, with pictures when it arrives -- I'd be interested.

And, maybe you could teach Hanshi how to ACTUALLY go hunting!

 

[hanshi]

Welcome E! Maybe you'd be interested in starting a little thread about your "possibles" list and the flintlock you chose, and why, with pictures when it arrives -- I'd be interested.

And, maybe you could teach Hanshi how to ACTUALLY go hunting!

I already know how to hunt. I get in touch with my gun bearer, a guide, a bottle of good bourbon and some cigars. Oh, and I take down a couple of guns & ammo. hotoSmile:

 

[Walks with fire]

PA added a deer flintlock only season just after I graduated high school that still runs today. It starts the day after Christmas and runs for about 3 weeks.

My brothers and I didn't have anyone to teach us and the internet didn't exist then. It took me many years to learn the ropes. It's my preferred way to hunt now.

 

[Dewey]

I already know how to hunt. I get in touch with my gun bearer, a guide, a bottle of good bourbon and some cigars. Oh, and I take down a couple of guns & ammo. hotoSmile:

I like your style, Hanshi !!! :thumbsup:

 

[Renegade Dan]

This looks like a good thread to chime in on.
I'll admit that my interest in Black Powder didn't start by any televisions shows or stuff like that. We didn't have much in the way of channels growing up. Living in Montana, one of the requisite courses in Jr. High was Montana History and we talked extensively about the fur trade and so forth and learning about that era and the people in it fascinated me to no end. I remember making lists (something I still do today) of what I'd have in my possibles bag and what kind of rifle I wanted, back then I was into Hawken Cappers, I've wised up now. I'd tell my parents I wanted to be a mountain man and live like they did sometimes.
I grew up in a family that taught Hunter's Education. I started as an assistant instructor at 12 and worked into an adult instructor. Part of the material we covered was Black Powder firearms. That only fueled the interest.
Here I am at 35 and I finally have my first BP rifle, though it's a percussion, that I'll be passing down to my boys as soon as my flintlock gets here in the mail! I thought percussion would be easier but I was looking at the traditionality of things and discussing it in a Facebook group the other day and a guy told me that if I can afford it, to shoot a flintlock and another said if I don't know how to shoot one then learn. A third guy said that if God intended man to shoot percussion, he'd have spread percussion caps all over Mother Earth. That was just the other day and at THAT MOMENT I absolutely knew I had to have a flintlock. Well, now I've got one coming in the mail and I can't wait.
Thankfully I'm still mildly young. I'm 35 so I've got plenty of time to let the effects of this "bug bite" sink in fully and drive me into poverty. :grin: I'll certainly be asking lots of questions, but I'm looking forward to this journey!!

And a fun Journey it is! :wink: Welcome to the forum. :hatsoff:

 

[valen]

I've always been more into history than guns and I started out interested in military history. Particularly the little discussed wars like the war of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years war. (How can you not love that story. Maria Theresa turns out to be kind of a badass. Frederick the Great vs all of Europe). Naturally that lead to the French and Indian war. At this same time my wife is into SCA and I'm bored out of my mind at one of the many SCA events she used to drag me to and reading The Crucible of War by Fred Anderson. A friend of mine observes this and tells me he knows where I belong. A month later I'm outfitted as a highlander and chasing a couple of coureur du bois through the woods with a flintlock in hand. Since I've changed to portraying a Massachusetts Ranger, I've just recently bought a flintlock rifle and I'm getting more into shooting. Deer season is probably going to happen someday soon too.

 

[Black Jack]

I had previously owned a couple of black powder guns, a .58 Zouave and a .44 Colt 1860, but had only done a little plinking with them. Then, in 1980 I moved to Pennsylvania, which is among the most enlightened of States with its "flintlock only" deer season. I promptly bought my first flinter, a TC Hawken .50. I have since added a couple of other flinters but am still attracted to the percussion guns as well (traditional, that is).

 

[ratfacedmcdougal]

I shot a friend's flintlock a few years ago and knew right then, I had to have one. That same friend has built a .45 quassi SMR and a 20ga fowling gun for me. I find the whole aspect of the flintlock very enjoyable. Cool or what?
RFMcD

 

[JD Peppergrinder]

I would say my father is what started it for me and if you ask him he'll say that I got him back into it. :haha: My dad started this hobby around 88' and attended rendezvous and bought two gun kits one Lyman GPR and a southern mountian rifle both .50 cal. At this time he also did alot of hunting and the only rifles he had was a cap and a flint and to this day that's the only rifles we have besides a .22. Anyway he took three deer with the gpr and gained some funny stories with the flint. And he got out of the hobby by the time my parents got married. Well growing up I heard some really funny stories about rendezvous and hunting with a muzzleloader. And I have always had a love for history and the outdoors so it was only natural that I would find this hobby. :haha: I got serious into this hobby when I found this forum about a year ago since that time I got a french trade gun kit mainly because where I live the earlyest european influence would have been french. And I've almost completed my kit if you could complete your kit. :haha:
Why flint because cap isn't the same for me it's too close to a cartridge but I still like percussion it's just not the same for me.

 

[Larry Beach]

The only thing better than seeing someone picking up the BP hobby again, is to see Young guys getting INTO traditional Black Powder Shooting. Great story.

I would say my father is what started it for me and if you ask him he'll say that I got him back into it. :haha: My dad started this hobby around 88' and attended rendezvous and bought two gun kits one Lyman GPR and a southern mountian rifle both .50 cal. At this time he also did alot of hunting and the only rifles he had was a cap and a flint and to this day that's the only rifles we have besides a .22. Anyway he took three deer with the gpr and gained some funny stories with the flint. And he got out of the hobby by the time my parents got married. Well growing up I heard some really funny stories about rendezvous and hunting with a muzzleloader. And I have always had a love for history and the outdoors so it was only natural that I would find this hobby. :haha: I got serious into this hobby when I found this forum about a year ago since that time I got a french trade gun kit manly because where I live the earlyest european influence would have been french. Since then I've almost completed my kit if you could complete your kit. :haha:
Why flint because cap isn't the same for me it's too close to a cartridge but I still like percussion it's just not the same for me.