Percussion to flintlock

[bobthemotorcycle]

Can I convert my son’s percussion Thompson Seneca in .36 cal to a flint lock?

I would like two locks for it, the percussion it has right now and a flintlock so if we can not find caps for it I can switch to flintlock.

Do I have to change the breach plug? I want to be able to just unbolt one and add the other, can that happen?

 

[don hepler]

The answer is no, but if you're willing to spend the money anything is possible. First, removing the old breech plug, might be difficult, without using heat and damaging the original snailed breech plug. Or, you might soak the breech, and plug the nipple hole, and get lucky and have it come right off.

Second, the new breech plug will be unfinished, and the tang will need to be long enough and wide enough to be bent and sized to fit in the place of the original and either the wood or metal will need to be worked, to fit. Also, the breech plug will have to be fitted to the old barrel and metal finish to match.

Third would be to find a lock, that would either fit the existing inlet or allow for re-inletting the existing stock, and driling and taping a hole to align with the hole in the existing lock.

Last a vent hole will need to be drilled and tapped for a liner, and in the appropiate location for alighning with the pan. A lot of and's and if's.

And after all is said and done, you have modified, a highly sought after rifle, that is bringing a very high price, perhaps enough to justify buying a small flintlock and selling the Seneca to pay for at least a portion of it.

 

[Col. Batguano]

And after all is said and done, you have modified, a highly sought after rifle, that is bringing a very high price, perhaps enough to justify buying a small flintlock and selling the Seneca to pay for at least a portion of it.

:rotf: