I have a hunting buddy and long time friend who let's me shoot Doe on his hunting property for deer management. I have been trying to get him interested in BP hunting. He set with me a few years ago on a doe hunt and I shot a doe at around 100 yards and it dropped in its tracks. He was amazed and said I'm just surprised that old gun went off. We were talking about doing a management hunt this year and I told him to make it interesting and fun, I would supply the guns and items needed if he would do a "Hawken hunt" . We could get everyone there the day before and spend the whole day just shooting targets and getting everyone acquainted to the guns. They all have in-lines so shouldn't be to difficult.
He called me yesterday morning and said he was going through his gun safe and had forgotten about a muzzleloader he bought from a guy ten or so years ago. He said he actually bought two from him but he had given the flintlock away because it was broken and would not shoot. He keep the percussion because he thought it would look neat hanging in a cabin if he ever built one. He said it was a .36cal lefthanded gun and was also not working and was probably "just a piece of junk".
Squirrel season is in, I told him that I was off after 12:00 and would come over to his place and would give him my " not so expert" thoughts on the gun and if it is not broken we will shoot it and maybe try to hunt Squirrel with it . I packed up my .36 stuff and head over to his place after work. He had the supplies that came with it layed out ready to go.
Pyrodex RS
.375 balls
Caps in a capper
I told him I'm not lefthanded but before we get started if you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for this "junk". He said $175 for both guns and bag of stuff, but I knew neither gun worked and were probably just wall hangers. I told him before we get started I will give you $200 for the gun, you can keep the stuff and it will probably save you thousands in the future. He then said you think it is really worth $200! Well let's see if it will go bang and we will negotiate from there.
I checked to see if it was loaded and was clear of any obstructions, then coached him as he loaded with the supplies he had on hand, I supplied patches.
He pulls the trigger nothing. The hammer fell so slow the cap didn't even go off. We replaced the cap, still nothing. I said let's try my new caps, caps may be bad. New caps, nothing. He was ready to give up and give me the gun at this point.
I pulled the lock off and the oil on the inside looked like it had harden. I gave it a quick cleaning and new lube. And low and behold it goes poof. I could actually see the ball flying in the air it came out so slow. I then explained to him the different in Pyro and BP. And the difference in grain size and different calibers.
I then gave the gun a quick range cleaning and discovered the gun was actually a .40 cal with a Douglas barrel. The triggers were shimmed under the springs and a good breeze would set them off.
I told him I believe you have a gun that was someone's competition gun because of the way the trigger was set up.
After putting everything back together I broke out my supplies with a proper ball size for .40 cal. We shot the gun for another couple hours, by the time we were done he was hitting a 8" steel target at 100 yards. He was shocked at it's accuracy. Laughing I told him I would now double my offer to $400 and would love to have seen the piece of junk flintlock he gave away if it was anywhere near the quality of this gun.
I explained to him that he had a very fine gun and it was probably worth 5 times what he paid for both and he should be proud to own it.
He called me at 6:00 this morning and asked , hey if you run across a good "Hawken" let me know . I think I want a .54cal for deer hunting.... So his journey begins...... I reminded him that I was willing to save him thousands just yesterday and my offer stood!!!!
I did bring his gun home with me and gave it a proper cleaning. I also took out the shim from the spring so it wouldn't be such a hair trigger. Here is a picture of his "piece of Junk"
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I believe he is hooked and we will have another BP shooter.
