Ken Netting rifle

[Harry Marinakis]

New flintlock shooter here. I just picked up a 1987 Ken Netting rifle with a swamped 50 cal. barrel.
I did a few repairs on the sight and the ram rod. Haven't fired it yet.

Two questions:
1. How did I do?
2. Does this rifle fit into a historical style of build? I was told it is a "Virginia rifle."

 

[Acorn Mush]

That is a mighty fine-looking rifle!

 

[S.Kenton]

Well, let me start by saying that Ken makes some FINE shooting irons, I would love to own one of his rifles or fowling pieces. It’s hard to say how you did because you didn’t include a purchase price, but I don’t blame you. Ken also stopped making custom orders a couple years ago, but he still makes and sells what he wants to. Last year he finished my Kibler Woodsrunner, he done a fine job! He lives about an hour from me so I try and visit him a couple times a year.
Great find!

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

How did you do? How would I know? Virginia rifle is what most people call guns they can't identify.
I have always liked Ken's work. Very good stuff. I see alot more of his smoothbore stuff than rifles.

 

[reddogge]

Beautiful rifle but hard to tell how you did.

 

[Pete G]

If you’re happy with it, you got a good deal.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Since I don't know what you paid I can't really assess how good a deal you got. I do believe you got a very good rifle to be proud of. If it shoots as good as it looks you got a great deal.

Iron mounts are rare, but not unheard of. Brass would have been more common.

 

[Harry Marinakis]

Okay, so I paid $2k
How did I do?

 

[Grenadier1758]

I think you did about right. I would think if the barrel is good, you got a custom rifle for less than the price of a new custom rifle and less than getting a Kibler rifle and paying to have it assembled. Not to leave out, you have it now.

 

[rich pierce]

Okay, so I paid $2k
How did I do?

It depends on how you approach it. What would it cost to have built? $2500+. For someone who wants an iron mounted rifle marketed as a Virginia rifle, it’s an attractive one. Ken is a very well respected builder but few builders are highly sought after and commanding premium prices. The abundance of inexpensive high quality kit-based guns has impacted the market in my view.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

2k is a fair price these days. Ken probably sold it for half that when it was new.

 

[reddogge]

Well, considering the parts alone to build that rifle would be over $1,000 and there has to be well over 200-250 hours involved in building it I'd say you did just fine. Iron mounted or not, it's a fine rifle.

 

[Harry Marinakis]

Iron mounted or not, it's a fine rifle.

Thanks, I wanted an iron-mounted rifle. I like them better than brass.

So what style of rifle is this? It is truly a "Virginia rifle?"

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I could make a gun like that in less than 35 hours

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Thanks, I wanted an iron-mounted rifle. I like them better than brass.

So what style of rifle is this? It is truly a "Virginia rifle?"

There is nothing "Virginia" about it. That is a moniker that is used when it's a generic rifle these days. It may be best to describe it as a colonial parts gun. It has a Germanic jeager trigger guard and an english buttplate. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[reddogge]

I could make a gun like that in less than 35 hours

I guess I'm slow. The two I bothered to keep a record on took me 200 hours apiece and the one was 43 years ago.

 

[Wirehair]

I could make a gun like that in less than 35 hours

Holy crap! I can't assemble a Kibler kit in 35 hours.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I did this for a living for a long time. You learn to build fast or you go broke. I have assembled Kibler's Colonial in 4 hours.

 

[oldwood]

Gotta tell about this build. Was a copy of the well documented , Edward Marshal Indian Walk transitional rifle. Presented it to it's new owner , and he was well pleased. He owned the rifle three months , and passed away . That one saddened me , because he so liked it. Hope the rifle went to a direct relative that would appreciate it.

 

[Harry Marinakis]

Gotta tell about this build. Was a copy of the well documented , Edward Marshal Indian Walk transitional rifle. Presented it to it's new owner , and he was well pleased. He owned the rifle three months , and passed away . That one saddened me , because he so liked it. Hope the rifle went to a direct relative that would appreciate it.

The gentleman who sold me this rifle last month said that Ken Netting made the rifle for him in 1987 as a custom build.
Did I misunderstand what he said?

I looked into the Edward Marshall Indian Walk transitional rifle, and this rifle looks just like it. Thank you!