Muskets

[Russ T Frizzen]

In case anyone is interested, there is a 2nd model Bess at Track's site. It's built from a Pedersoli kit and looks good. They also have a French model 1728 with bayonet. It's a Loyalist Arms import and also looks good. Might be worth a look.

 

[fatboy]

I had noticed that my self looks decent enough and the $ is good :imo:

 

[schizuki]

Yech. That 2nd Model Bess is a mess. The nosecap removal is not too bad (although the originals would have had the forestock a touch longer) and the wooden rammer is neat (but unnecessary, as was the nosecap removal.) The re-dating of the lock looks crude (but passable), the buttplate should have been replaced or had an extension brazed on the tang, and putting the Long Land Pattern sideplate on top of the flat sideplate is just a disaster.

If you want to make a Perdersoli into a F&I War-passable Long Land, you need to:

1) Inlet the butt for a Long Land pattern buttplate (it has a longer tang). Buttplate available from Track, or you can braze and shape an extension onto the stock buttplate if you're so equipped and skilled.

2) Replace the flat sideplate with a rounded Long Land pattern (will require inletting AND filling the mortise - the outlines are not identical). It's a mystery to me why no-one makes a drop-in replacement sideplate.

3) Inlet "old" ramrod pipe inlets in proper postion (Long Land muskets had 46" barrels - as opposed to the Short Land/Pedersoli's 42" - which were sometimes cut to 42" either for handiness or because of muzzle wear. The ramrod pipes were proportionally repositioned.) Personally, I'd skip this - if anyone is close enough to examine my ramrod pipe inlets, he'd better be my doctor.

4) The nosecap and metal ramrod are correct and do not need to be removed/replaced.

 

[mikee51848]

Funny how this gun depreciated. I just ordered the kit from Dixie for $725. :huh:

 

[schizuki]

That's what I'm sayin'.

::

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I have a feeling this musket was built a while back, when the kit cost substantially less. My point is, to me, that there is enough there to give a new owner some options, not that it is perfect. Most people aren't going to offended by its historical shortcomings, but rather appreciate its reasonable price. It represents a low cost ticket into the muzzleloading world, and to re-enacting. I prefer historically accurate firearms myself, but recall when I couldn't afford them and had to settle for close enough. My hope would be that a buyer of this musket would use it as a steppping stone into our sport. Perhaps put some beads or tacks into the stock and re-enact as a native American. Possibly, despite the many inadequacies that have been pointed out, our new muzzleloading enthusiast might come to view it as a cherished possession. It's been known to happen.

 

[fatboy]

Russ T Frizzen you have some good points there this is a good pick for some getting started and maybe wants to try his hand at hunting with a smooth bore. And as far as value goes I wouldnt want to spend a fortune on second hand Pedersoli its a Italian made factory gun no matter how you cut it

 

[schizuki]

It's a good project gun. No argument there.

If I had the bucks, I'd buy it, ditch that sideplate, cut the muzzle flush with the stock, and solder on a new front sight. That would look slicker than goose manure.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

And a good deal nicer to handle--though I do not speak from experience!

 

[LSU TIGER]

The relatively few inches lost by cutting the barrel back to the stock would make little or no difference in handling. Not to mention the fact the value would plummet. the old saying goes that you can't make a sow's ear into a silk purse, and you can't make a Bess into a sleek folwer.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Perhaps I should have been clearer. I was saying that the musket would be a good deal more pleasant to handle than the goose manure. I, no doubt to the surprise of many, have absolutely no experience in the art of handling goose manure, slick or otherwise. Now if we were to talk about horse effluvia....

 

[swamp yankee]

What do you think about the French 1728 listed on the site?
I assume it is Indian metal with a walnut stock? I'm tempted, but without having it in hand, I'm not sure.

I noticed that the vent can't be seen in the photos. Usually, TOTW takes great pains to describe how well they are drilled. Makes me wonder if this one is at the bottom of the pan.

Brian

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I don't have much experience with the Indian made guns, but many shooters like them alot. It is entirely possible the vent is low, because the lock looks like it sits a bit high. If the pan is deep enough, and you keep the priming below the vent, it should be okay. I'd call Track and ask them about it. They are very good about answering questions.