"New" - Traditions Pirate Flintlock Pistol

[jetcanoe]

Did y'all see this? I wasn't sure how "new" it was. I like the fun looks of it...different from the usual Traditions pistols. Hope this link works:
http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=P1430

I was suprised to see that this pistol weighs 2 lbs 14oz. Yet the Crockett in .32 and the Trapper all weigh the same. The Kentucky weighs 2 lbs 8 oz and the William Parker weighs in at 2.5lbs.

According to their site, this is the only flint pistol they offer. Could be a fun little shooter and has an "older" look than a Pedersoli Kentucky (not that I'm comparing the two companies, mind you).

Arrrrgh, what are yer thoughts on this one, ya scurvy dogs, ha ha ha!

 

[R.M.]

Interesting pistol for sure.
I noticed that they say it has double set triggers, but show a single trigger, and it says octagon barrel, but it looks to have a round barrel.
Myself, I'd like to see a rear sight on it too. I have enough trouble hitting things when I have both sights, let alone just a front one. On second look, is that a rear sight peeking out just above the frizzen?
The price wouldn't be too bad either as long as the lock functions as it should.

 

[jetcanoe]

I called Traditions for the dope. They were very helpful. Specs:

Rifled 1/20 twist .50 cal
Single trigger
Round 10" bbl, 15" oal
2 3/4lbs

These will be ariving from Espan~a in early July.

 

[R.M.]

Thanks for the leg-work Jet.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Pirates were long dead when that style of pistol was introduced.

 

[torn moc]

Just looks like a Kentucky with a Butt cap to me..
Also way to pricey !!!

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Yup. That kind of money for a Spanish--Jukar?--made pistol with a hardwood stock is ridiculous. Basically a re-trimmed "Kentucky" type stock with absolutely nothing of the pirate era about it. The real pirates must rolling over in their watery graves! :rotf:

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Looks like somebody found a parts cache from the old CVA guns and crossed a Kentucky pistol with the old CVA Tower pistol.


Since PA has again allowed flint pistols in the muzzleloader seasons, (minimum 50 cal) a reasonable flint production pistol has a niche to fill here. I wrote to Lyman suggesting they offer their pistol in flint for this reason and never got so much as a "We appreciate your concern." form e-mail.

 

[Mulebrain]

Not a bad looking pistol, but the price :hmm:

Our Price: $337.00

 

[Zonie]

That price do seem to be more than a little high for a Spanish made gun although Dixie's price for a Armi Sport/Italy .45 cal Kentucky is a little bit higher. http://www.dixiegunworks.com/produ...13678&osCsid=809314d5811c827b99f52c209c8e3c1e

 

[jetcanoe]

I was thinkin the same thing as Zonie about prices. Not including kits, I went back and checked the pricing on all the Traditions, Lyman and Pedersoli pistols. Maybe a couple (i.e.: Crockett) are cheaper but almost all are the same $300-350 range or much more expensive, especially ANY in flintlock.

A custom TVA or NSW is about $700. And the NSW I believe, is a smoothy.

So what in your opinion (and I realize this should be a new thread) is the best option/deal on a completed, rifled, flint pistol if you average price, weight (pointability), accuracy, and quality? For say, a solid plinker you could hunt with from time to time. Right now my research seems to point to the Pedersoli Kentucky in standard Walnut at 2.2lbs and $350.

Thoughts? Thanks as always!

- Jet

 

[Cowboy45j]

I handled one of these at the shot show this year. The representative that I spoke to said they were getting requests from people doing pirate reenactments for an inexpensive flintlock pistol with a "pirate look about it". Also Traditions webiste allways has their MSRP on guns, most retailers sell them far below that.

 

[Pork Chop]

Pirates were long dead when that style of pistol was introduced.

I never studied the time periods for different weapons. What would a real pirate pistol look like? I assume that Jack Sparrow's is probably wrong too...

 

[Coot]

Pirates were long dead when that style of pistol was introduced.

I never studied the time periods for different weapons. What would a real pirate pistol look like? I assume that Jack Sparrow's is probably wrong too...

While piracy has been around for thousands of years & is still a going concern, the 'Golden Age' of piracy (the period associated with most pirate tales/legends/popular lore) is generally considered to run from about 1690 to 1730 with some authors using start dates as early as the 1650s. Wheel-lock and match locks were looking obsolete as the newer technology of flint locks became first common and then standard. Looking at Gilkerson 'Boarders Away' vol II page 227 shows five pistols, a snaphance, a dog-lock and three flintlocks. All are noticeably straighter in profile than typical late 18th century pistols and all have long barrels with Gilkerson stating that barrels about 14" were common with some longer. Hope that helps.

 

[Pork Chop]

Thanks Coot, but I don't have that book, so it is just words on a page to me...

 

[threepdr]

Yes a far cry from Golden Age of Priacy period. However it is getting closer to later 18th century style pistols. I would prefer to see it without the nose cap, smoothbore and larger caliber. An English style rounded lock would be better too. Those changes would be easy for them to make in the massed produced market.

With all its faults, still better than the tired old "Kentucy" pistols that have been the only thing on the market for years.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Actually, it is the same tired old bogus "Kentucky" pistol they've always made. Just gussied up with a bunch of phony "pirate" trimmings and a price that is an act of true piracy. :v

 

[torn moc]

** DITTO **

 

[DutchmanDick]

Pirates were long dead when that style of pistol was introduced.

Tell that to Jean LaFitte - or, more recently, freighter captains sailing off the coast of Somalia... :hmm: