I posted this to try to explain to people that a 2000 dollar Kentucky, one thats done right, patch box carving, some engraving, properly assembled and shaped is TOO CHEAP. But many see them as the opposite because they cannot tell one from a TC or Browning Mtn Rifle.
Yes, I KNOW some people cannot afford them. I could not afford a bells and whistles Kentucky if I did not make them.
I built a rifle from a blank, lock and triggers only needed polishing, I was cramped for time. Wanted it to shoot a match with my son who would be on leave or I would have made the triggers.
Buttplate and TG as castings. Did pean the BP wider to reshape.
Made all the sheet metal parts. Pipes, patchbox forend cap.
In a month I got it shooting, no patchbox, no forend cap, no finish since the carving was not even started. But we shot the match and between he and I we cleaned up. Rifle has won something over 100 bucks in 2 matches.
He will get to shoot it again at the June match on post deployment leave if the USMC keeps to the current schedule.
The point is that I cut the barrel channel and rod groove on the mill, used an electric drill for the rod hole. Not by hand as some do. Made the breech plug on the lathe and mill (its a 1 1/4" barrel 18 pound match rifle, the barrel cost $425) made the vent liner as well.
What is a months work worth? And the rifle was not done. I spent more time carving and engraving, final wood smoothing and stain and finish.
I am a little slower than some. There are people that would likely get the rifle done in far less time. But the large barrel meant I had to make a scratch stock to shape the forend and this took time. Making the sheet metal parts adds time. If I bought EVERYTHING and left the lock unpolished I could shave a week probably. It takes about a day to polish a lock to 600 grit. Which I do since I will have it color casehardened sometime this month.
How many 5000+ Wilson 1911s do you think an assembler makes in 1-2 months?
The first post and this one are simply for reference. Many seem to think that 2000-5000 flintlocks are over priced. For the work involved in stocking one from a blank they are cheaper than they should be IF done right.
I built this rifle for 2 reasons, first we do "turkey" and "chunk" matches. Second I got tired of all the iron mounted guns used for chunk guns that are frankly ugly in too many cases and do not represent the match rifles of the 18th and early 19th century made in most of the Colonies/States but those used in areas of Appalachia.
There ARE heavy brass mounted, carved and engraved match rifles out there but most people do not note what they are. There are two in Kindig's book.
Dan
