kentucky pistol

[papa mike]

Yesterday I went to a gun show and meet a man by the name of Sam Hinson he told me he had been making guns since 1959. He had a kentucky style flintlock pistol that he had made, he said that the lock was made by a Willie Cochrane, or Cochran, im not sure of the spelling, He also told me the barrel was a green river barrel, it is a 50 cal.,and is part octagon and round barrel. The vent is drilled into the side of the barrel, with no vent liner. The gun is really well made. Any information you can shed on the maker and the lock would greatly be appreaciated.

 

[bibletotingunslinger]

Never heard of him, sounds like a nice shooter.
I am not real big on flintlocks, is there a great deal of variation in quality in flintlocks?
I know in a caplock it's not rocket science to make one work good. Refering to the lock.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Cochrane locks were in business until about 10 years ago, when he retired. I believe that Jim Chambers acquired the stock and equipment. The locks are good quality, and very serviceable. I don't know any lock that can't be tuned better than when it left the factory- that is the nature of the business these days. The frizzens spark well, and the lock geometry is correct.

I would be more concerned with what kind of accuracy you might get if that barrel has a rifle rate of twist in it, rather than a faster rate of twist for pistols. But, then, You haven't told us why you are interested in owning the pistol. How long is the barrel? what is the rate of twist? With my eyes, I am now falling in love with long- barreled handguns that put that front site as far from my face as I can get it! The fifty caliber should be a nice gun to shoot. I would not hestitate to use it on rabbit, and ground hog sized game, or to use it to administer a coup d' grace to a dying deer.

 

[papa mike]

Cochrane locks were in business until about 10 years ago, when he retired. I believe that Jim Chambers acquired the stock and equipment. The locks are good quality, and very serviceable. I don't know any lock that can't be tuned better than when it left the factory- that is the nature of the business these days. The frizzens spark well, and the lock geometry is correct.

I would be more concerned with what kind of accuracy you might get if that barrel has a rifle rate of twist in it, rather than a faster rate of twist for pistols. But, then, You haven't told us why you are interested in owning the pistol. How long is the barrel? what is the rate of twist? With my eyes, I am now falling in love with long- barreled handguns that put that front site as far from my face as I can get it! The fifty caliber should be a nice gun to shoot. I would not hestitate to use it on rabbit, and ground hog sized game, or to use it to administer a coup d' grace to a dying deer.

Thanks for the information on the lock. Sam told me that he bought the lock as a kit and put it together as he built the pistol. He did a nice job of tuning the action, it is light and smooth,but not to the point of being unsafe. I havent measured the rate of twist on it yet. I will get around to it one of these days. The barrel length is 9 in. long. It will probably be a wall hanger more than anything else.

 

[papa mike]

Never heard of him, sounds like a nice shooter.
I am not real big on flintlocks, is there a great deal of variation in quality in flintlocks?
I know in a caplock it's not rocket science to make one work good. Refering to the lock.

I really dont know much about flintlocks, as ive just started to shoot them alittle. Im still learning. I always shot percussion muzzleloaders. Ive been hooked on them for many years. I guess that there are better locks than others but the ones that I have, will fire everytime, as long as I pay attention to the details, like the condition of the flint, vent and pan, etc.