North Star West Officers Musket

[Mark Nasim]

Has anyone delt with this company and know anything more about the quality/correctness of the Officers Model musket he offers? If looks like a really nice piece, but I recall that the Officers musket had an opening/door in the butt to keep the bayonet stored in as the one he offers has a regular type bayonet without a door in the stock.There must be 2 models/types? the Rifle Shoppe also offers one that looks identical, but the bayonet is a short stubby looking thing that fits in the butt stock as I had mentioned above. So I guess there must be 2 types.

 

[atki]

I can't speak for the Officers Musket, but I have a Northwest Trade Gun that North Star West made for me. They were great to deal with, created the gun to my exact specifications and did it pretty much on schedule. Except he got snowed in and couldn't ship it for a week after it was finished. The fit and finish are great. But, the best was the communication.

WB

 

[Mike Brooks]

Has anyone delt with this company and know anything more about the quality/correctness of the Officers Model musket he offers? If looks like a really nice piece, but I recall that the Officers musket had an opening/door in the butt to keep the bayonet stored in as the one he offers has a regular type bayonet without a door in the stock.There must be 2 models/types? the Rifle Shoppe also offers one that looks identical, but the bayonet is a short stubby looking thing that fits in the butt stock as I had mentioned above. So I guess there must be 2 types.

These were for the most part privately paid for by the officer and that officer commisioned his favorite english gunmaker to build it. There are as many variations as there were officers, as each one had his own idea of the ideal fowler/musket to take into battle.

 

[David Teague]

I've had one for about 10 years now...

Not the best picture to show it... I'm on the right.

It was made by Northstar West but had parts that the prior owner (Curly) had ordered in as building this gun was a dream of his for a number of years...(I remember Curly telling me all about it in the mid 80's)

It was copied off of an original piece and as I understand it is very close to being spot on. Mine has a nice piece of American Walnut (unlike the heavier fruit wood on the Indian made muskets).

While the workmanship is sound and the woodwork is crisp, the ramrod channel was off a wee bit, the top sling swivel was mounted a bit crooked, and the bayonet lug was off... so when loading the muzzle looks a bit like a work by Pacaso.. a bit distorted as they all are off in a different direction... :haha:

I've never read or heard of the buttstock bayonet until now... however, it could be true of some of the fusils as they were made by a number of gunsmiths in England and not a military issue musket like the Brown Bess.

I like mine, and have used it both with live fire and reenactment. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

DT

 

[Waterman]

I've had mine for almost a year now. Shoots well, ball and blank, looks good, so I can't say that I can complain. Matt's a good guy to work with, and I would do it again. Might get myself a trade gun from him soon too.

Cheers, Bill

 

[benvenuto]

I've had one for about 10 years now...

I've never read or heard of the buttstock bayonet until now... however, it could be true of some of the fusils as they were made by a number of gunsmiths in England and not a military issue musket like the Brown Bess.

nice kit!
I have seen a photo of an original gun with a butt trap bayonet, just can't remember where! Apparently they were quite fashionable at one point, but I'm sure on campaign having a gun that takes a standard bayonet might be more pratical

 

[Wes/Tex]

Caywood built one with a bayonet in the butt stock several years ago but have no idea if it's based on an original or not. The bayonet itself looked a bit odd but I suppose they had to do it to make it fit.