militaryheritage.com pistols

[flinthead]

Anyone have any experience/opinion about the pistols these guys sell? They LOOK O.K. in the photos on their website. I was kind of interested in the Baker Rifle they sell as well.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

They are made in India and rarely, if ever, bear more than a passing resemblance to the firearm they are supposed to be. They are stocked in an incorrect wood and are too heavy. Way too much wood is left on the stocks and the metal--whatever it is--is way over polished. However, other than these minor quibbles, they are lovely old things and when viewed from a distance, say 500 yards will sometimes fool a novice into thinking that they are reasonably close copies of something--though not necessarily a gun.

It should be noted that others may view them differently--mostly those who own them and realise that the only hope of ever getting rid of them is to throw them into a lake when the EPA isn't looking. Their bravery in the face of this situation is to be admired and should be an inspiration to all of us.

If you have the price being asked for these guns, save a little longer and get a decent used gun. Lately some semi-custom guns have been available for very reasonable money and some higher end production guns with fairly authentic styling can be had too.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

P.S. I think you may find the Baker "rifle" is actually a smoothbore. Perhaps they don't know the difference...??

 

[Capt. Jas.]

They are kind of like the blow-up doll of the gun world. They somewhat resemble and due to cost, convienience,or apathy appeal to some.

 

[LRB]

If you have the skills, they can be treated as a kit in the white, and rebuilt, but the locks need serious attention, and the wood is very difficult to work as the grain wants to tear more than be cut, even with sharpe tools. I cain't recommend them unless you are experienced in gun building. I recently rebuilt an English heavy Dragoon pistol, and it came out very well, and shoots great, but it was an up hill battle all the way. I'll post a photo if my camera batteries are still up. The only nice thing about the wood is that once stained, it is easily mistaken for walnut, due to the grain structure.

 

[flinthead]

Thanks for the replies! The pricing seemed quite low and now I know why. A couple of years ago the gun shops here were flogging off Indian army F.N assault rifles. I took a look at them and it looked like they were made in someones garage with a dull file and a sledge hammer!

 

[LRB]

Here is an example of what can be done, if one thinks it worth while. Much wood was removed. The carving was reduced and refined, The lock internals and lock plate were heavily Kasenited. I added a front sight since I don't re-enact much. It is deadly on a man sized target at 25 yrds. I would not recommend these guns unless you can do the work yourself though. I still have a little tweaking to do on it. The frizzen does not seal the pan, and I will have to correct that.

 

[flinthead]

That does look nice Wick. Many years ago a friend of mine made a cap lock from scratch. He even rifled the barrel. I don't know where he got the plans from and I don't remember the caliber.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Wick, it should be noted, is an extremely talented gun maker. It is especially impressive if you know what that pistol looked like before he worked his magic on it! :thumbsup:

 

[Dphar]

Anyone have any experience/opinion about the pistols these guys sell? They LOOK O.K. in the photos on their website. I was kind of interested in the Baker Rifle they sell as well.

Get something that has a real barrel in it.
Dan