Period Correct or Personality Appealing?

[Sidney Smith]

I think it serves if your going to an event to be in your time along with your gun. Should you want to just shoot the gun that’s ok, if you want to try to be correct that’s good too, what ever you want to enjoy the sport of shooting the gun.
I THINK correct is good. However we all miss the mark. We all choose what’s the line we go to, what’s acceptable to us.
You shouldn’t take a TC Hawken to an ARW event. On the other hand a 1777 charley vs a 66/63 won’t pick up my ears.
Do you have enough egg shape to your wrist or too much, are your sights early or late? That’s going to make me yawn.
Mixing a 1750s vest with 1830s broad falls for me is a no no, but a 1750s vest with 1770 breaches , you got to look close to see it.
Is your tinder box late- early? Hmmm. How about the ears on your pot? Are they correct?
At some point we all fail... that’s ok, we’re on a path not at a destination.

I don't do those events and rendezvous. Not my cup of tea. I shoot my guns at the range and hunt with them. That's where I seek my enjoyment.

 

[tenngun]

That’s the bottom line, is it fun.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I think you need to ask yourself some questions, and be honest about the answers with yourself;
1.) Why do you want to build such an old-fashioned gun in the first place? Likely it is primarily for the challenge and to push yourself to see what you can do. There will be SOME element of pride involved. The; "hey I built that" factor.

2.) What features of historical guns appeals to you the most.

3.) Are there historical styles that appeal to you more than others? Make a list of what you like the best. Concentrate on architecture more than embellishment.

4.) Try to make a list of embellishment styles that appeal to you more. Ex; Rococo styled carving vs. Baroque.

5.) The intended use for the gun. If you have to have it for hunting certain species, then caliber considerations will likely come in to play. If mostly to just "have" than that doesn't matter so much.

6.) See if there is something in the historical realm that contains items 2-5. If you are building a historically-based piece there will be a lot more information out there to help guide you along as you do your build than if you are freelancing. That is particularly helpful for your first few builds. A zillion; "how do I do this?" questions come up along the way.

 

[mushka]

I like shooting my sidelock bp guns. I wear khaki baggy pants with big pockets from US Calvary and a loose fitting baggy fishing shirt with lotsa pockets. I love pockets. Sometimes Deck shoes, sometimes boots, sometimes sandals. This is how I do it and I'm comfortable. I do like to see period clothing on people because that's how they do it and are comfortable with their style of dress and weaponry. Everyone is different and their beliefs should be respected and I keep it that way. There is room for everyone here.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

I guess I'm in it for the simple pleasure of the weapon and the challenge of hunting with it. Will I dress the part, not now. Will I in the future, perhaps.

 

[Stantheman86]

Do what feels right with it.....I turned my Pedersoli 1795 Springfield into a "period fowling piece " with a linen "civilian" sling and I use it with shot. I may even , at some point have some period "primitive" sights soldered onto it. If it enhances your enjoyment of the gun, go for it.

 

[ugly old guy]

I was at a CW Reeinactment c. 1988.
Witnessed a "Union Private" of some NY outfit checking in. He was doing his 4th hrwat Grandfather who was in that original NY outfit.
Even had his 4th great grandfather's original rifle: a 1861 Remington 'Zouave'

The person in charge of the event was yellong at the guy and telling him to get that curst Zouave "off my battle field! They were not used during the war!"
He had a change of tune when shown photographs of his grandfather, in uniform, in camps, with that very rifle.
The "guy in charge" grudgingly allowed that Private to participate.

I was confederate (considerably less expensive than being Union for clothing, arms, and accessories.) who was never issued a rifle, and still using the "Kentucky Rifle" was brought from home.
I'm guessing someone had educated that guy somewhere along the line, since he didn't comment on my rifle not being a Springfield or Enfield.

I got tired of all tbe the BS/Horse Poo and quit doing reeinactments soon after.
At one event, our 3/4 scale Howitzer was deemed "Not Period Correct or Historically Accurate" enough. They only wanted original cannon (or exact full scale reproductions) or none at that Reeinactment. Drove 300 miles (each way) for nothing.
No mention in the registration paperwork that no 3/4 scale artillary pieces would be permitted.

 

[mushka]

Unyielding people at those things run possible members off a lot I suppose. Seems like some of them are just bitter folk.

 

[DaveC]

I was at a CW Reeinactment c. 1988.
Witnessed a "Union Private" of some NY outfit checking in. He was doing his 4th hrwat Grandfather who was in that original NY outfit.
Even had his 4th great grandfather's original rifle: a 1861 Remington 'Zouave'

The person in charge of the event was yellong at the guy and telling him to get that curst Zouave "off my battle field! They were not used during the war!"
He had a change of tune when shown photographs of his grandfather, in uniform, in camps, with that very rifle.
The "guy in charge" grudgingly allowed that Private to participate.

I was confederate (considerably less expensive than being Union for clothing, arms, and accessories.) who was never issued a rifle, and still using the "Kentucky Rifle" was brought from home.
I'm guessing someone had educated that guy somewhere along the line, since he didn't comment on my rifle not being a Springfield or Enfield.

I got tired of all tbe the BS/Horse Poo and quit doing reeinactments soon after.
At one event, our 3/4 scale Howitzer was deemed "Not Period Correct or Historically Accurate" enough. They only wanted original cannon (or exact full scale reproductions) or none at that Reeinactment. Drove 300 miles (each way) for nothing.
No mention in the registration paperwork that no 3/4 scale artillary pieces would be permitted.

Seems to me, from the information provided, that you might have called ahead? I only do Texas Rev., but I do try to find out what might not be appropriate before I go... As for the "late unpleasantness" I'm a skirmisher rather than a re-enactor, impressionist, campaigner, what-have-you. Part of the sport is supposed to involve wearing the uniform and acoutrements, but one finds that that is seldom the case. Maybe a hat. Maybe not. The issue is that skirmishers are using the weapons, albeit often modified, and with a few nods to modern convenience and safety, rather than trying to educate the general public through discussions about a given period.

Allow me to state too that I've been at events where the base idea was to try to expose people to an overlooked, but very important historic event, but the general public was actually far more interested--keenly so!--in the actual functioning of period technology, viz. how is a musket loaded and fired? How were cartridges constructed? that sort of thing.

 

[Stantheman86]

I was at a CW Reeinactment c. 1988.
Witnessed a "Union Private" of some NY outfit checking in. He was doing his 4th hrwat Grandfather who was in that original NY outfit.
Even had his 4th great grandfather's original rifle: a 1861 Remington 'Zouave'

The person in charge of the event was yellong at the guy and telling him to get that curst Zouave "off my battle field! They were not used during the war!"
He had a change of tune when shown photographs of his grandfather, in uniform, in camps, with that very rifle.
The "guy in charge" grudgingly allowed that Private to participate.

This man possessed definitive proof that "Zouaves" were issued during the War

For all these "Not a single Zouave saw any military use" people

 

[Muley Graves]

Thank you all so much for your kind replies. It has given me a lot to think about and I will do my due diligence. I’m in an odd position that I don’t get out very much. I might never even make it to the range, let alone get the chance to come to a shoot or rendezvous. I just enjoy building things. In the early nineties I put together a cap and ball Colt Navy kit and it was a lot of fun. A thousand dollar flintlock build will probably be a once in a lifetime experience. I would say all those dumb little excuses are why I’m debating building the gun in my head rather than try to strive for correctness. But I will keep researching, reading, studying, and visiting these forums learning all I can before I start ordering parts.

Shane

Shane, I was in your position a few years ago. I wanted to build my own custom gun, one that was mine alone and not a “copy”.
I liked several designs from certain areas and eras.

I thought and dreamed and planned every detail for years before I finally jumped in.

I chose a 42”, .40, legal for everything in Oklahoma, not too much lead and easy on powder consumption.

I loved the drop of the Bedford but didn’t like the ornate. So that’s where I started, with the drop...heads up style of shooting.

From there I wanted a buttplate that would hook under my arm, so I borrowed from a Carolina school.

Next was my choice in triggers. Since I would be sitting while hunting, I decided on a flat set trigger, like a Jaeger, simply squeeze your hand to set, uses hardest no movement that game would notice.

My choice of trigger guard was by necessity, my triggers wouldn’t fit any guard so I had to go with a Tennessee style.

I wanted my rifle to be very slim, almost dainty but very balanced. I considered a few lockes but settled on a Bedford that I reprofiled. IMO it blends with the rest of the rifle.

For sights, I wanted a full buckhorn, these sights are very underrated, can be used for very fine shooting, as a open peep and as a long range sight...they are almost a perfect hunting sight.

Since I’m getting older, I anticipated my eyes getting older and moved the rear sight further out.

I didn’t want a lot of fancy carving and really liked the idea of a “poor boy” style mountain gun, so I went with iron furniture, 2 simple ram rod pipes and no entry thimble.

I started my carving, a Lilly on one side and 2 “feathers” on the other...simple, nothing ornate or fancy.

I wasn’t confident in getting the stock colored like I wanted or getting the barrel the exact way I wanted so I sent it to a guy in Idaho, he finished my carving, nailed the color i envisioned and French grayed the barrel.

I use this gun, it’s not a showpiece, I’ve killed squirrels, several deer and a few pigs.

I don’t call it a “Franken” gun, it’s much too pretty.

It’s not a Bedford, not a Jaeger, not a Tennessee, not a Carolina and not a Poor Boy.

It is100% historically correct for a 21st century flintlock built by a Okie for use in Modern day Oklahoma.

So build your gun the exact way you want, it’ll always be original, it’ll always be historically correct for you.

 

[Livbucks]

If an event was organized for a certain topic and purpose, one would only expect for there to be some level of decorum and regulation. Maybe a different tack could be taken and educate the offender instead of chastising and humiliating. Nobody makes friends that way nor recruits new members.
The ire expressed on the forums can be unnecessary at times when it's just anonymous people talking.

 

[Tanglefoot]

There are organizations specifically for folks who value historical accuracy and authenticity above all other things -- Reinactment groups, the American Mountain Men, The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, and others who are meticulous about clothing, equipment, and even habits. They all have their place, and provide a venue for those who are "into" that niche. If you find the group that shares your own preferences and favorite activities, you're "home." If you don't, keep looking m'friend. They're out there. While you're looking, there's no need to disparage others because their preferences and habits don't mesh with your own, and there's certainly no need to tolerate being scolded or ostracized by some self-aggrandizing jerk because HIS outfit or HIS musket, or HIS performance might be more historically accurate than yours. My own response to such attitudes has evolved over time. I used to be offended but now I generally just thank the "experts" for their information, move on down the trail, and file the experience under "Life's too short!"

 

[tenngun]

If we want to do a date, say 1750, we can say rifles had been used in America at that time, but you can bet your last dollar most men had a smoothie. I would bet there were a few obsolete styles in the hands of some folks. Maybe a few dog locks, Hudson Valley Fowler’s, a few oar butts.
How about dress? Button cuffs on breaches were in style, or tied breeches but you reckon you might have seen a few wide cuffs popular in the 1730s and before?
Caped rifelmans shirts. We don’t associate than with this period, there’re more 1770s but when was it first done? We can’t say.
Let’s go a century later.
We know pretty well about style at this time. We have photos at this time, however we see folks out of style.
We have photos of men with full stock ml rifles from long past breech loading guns time.
I have a kindle, but lots of books too.
Sailing ships were still working vessels long after steam and diesel ships, even steam turbine ships were doing most of the worlds shipping. Charles w Morgan was a working whaler near a century after it was built.
I do believe we try to apply a standard of history that doesn’t reflect reality.

 

[Artificer]

I am just wrapping up my build of the worlds most expensive workbench/desk. For the inaugural project I am considering building a flintlock. This will most likely be my one and only rifle build. Although I’ll never say never. My question is, must I religiously follow the plans with a certain rifle in mind, like a ToW “kit” where you use the lock, stock, barrel and trigger combination for the gun of your choice. Or can I throw caution to the wind and pick the parts that appeal to me and put them together in a way I find satisfactory? Can I use a late English fowler lock with a Dutch trade musket stock and double set triggers, as an example?

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that I live in Bethlehem, Pa., on Main St., a block away from the Moravian Industrial Quarter was. On weekends you can go to the blacksmith shop and watch them forge tools while they explain things and answer questions. Located in the same building was the locksmith where the locks for so many of those old guns were made.

If you decide to assemble a kit from different parts, for heaven's sake buy the BEST flintlock lock you can afford or all your effort may be in vain due to severe frustration in trying to get a poor or bad lock to work correctly. To my mind, that means either a Chambers or Kibler lock. A really good barrel is also important both to how it "holds" and for accuracy.

Not sure of your abilities in assembling a kit, but perhaps the easiest to assemble kits with the best parts are from Kibler, if you like one of the styles he offers. His kits also make a pretty authentic rifle.
https://www.jimkibler.net/

Jim Chambers offers fine kits as well, though there is more work to assembling them than Kibler and you have to be careful to get the lock to barrel inlet correct in some cases.
http://www.flintlocks.com/

Some builders offer "assembled kits" where you have to polish the lock and some other parts and that is the second easiest kit to build.

In my case, I prefer more historically accurate guns, even if I shoot or hunt with them in modern clothes, but I started out with a TC Hawken rifle in 1972 when that was the only rifle I could afford.

Gus

 

[Artificer]

Sorry, forgot to mention with Kibler's kits, like most kits, you have to finish the wood as well.

Gus

 

[FlinterNick]

You would essentially build what you desire.

We all have different names for what we call them.... frankenmuskets etc.

I built an 1835 Springfield Flintlock with a rifled 1840 barrel, pretty cool but not correct at all, most of the originals were kept in smoothbore and those that were rifled were converted.