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S Zihn wants your input
- Thread starter szihn
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I already own one of my "dream guns": an early Lancaster (Dickert) styled flintlock in .54 cal. If I were to get another "dream" ML, it would be something akin to Mark Silver's VA rifle in .58 cal, with the sliding wooden patchbox. Next choice would be a NE fowler in 20 gauge... like the kind I see in the pics Mike Brooks posts from time to time.
That said, I don't think my idea of a "dream gun" is shared among the other ML shooters I know in this part of the country. They tend to sport more Hawken-sytled rifles.
That said, I don't think my idea of a "dream gun" is shared among the other ML shooters I know in this part of the country. They tend to sport more Hawken-sytled rifles.
Maverick3855
36 Cal.
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For my next gun I would like a big bore German jaeger in 54 or 58 caliber with a 33-36 inch barrel.
I live in bear country and after actually running into a grizzly last year my .50 dont seem big enough.
What I see at rendezvous in Northwest Montana is about 60 percent flint longrifles, Tennessee's, Lancasters and even an occasional Lehigh Cty.
40 percent carry Hawkens or other plains style rifles with about one in ten being flint.
Probably 10 percent of the folks I know also have a smoothbore wether it be a Northwest gun or a Bess with an occasional fowler.
I live in bear country and after actually running into a grizzly last year my .50 dont seem big enough.
What I see at rendezvous in Northwest Montana is about 60 percent flint longrifles, Tennessee's, Lancasters and even an occasional Lehigh Cty.
40 percent carry Hawkens or other plains style rifles with about one in ten being flint.
Probably 10 percent of the folks I know also have a smoothbore wether it be a Northwest gun or a Bess with an occasional fowler.
Ahhh...AZ Robert.
This is the point of the question.
You see, I stopped taking orders in the spring of 1999 because I got so far behind. I am not getting closer to being caught up. Back in the late 90s it was in interesting fact that most Hawkens that I made went to people in the East and Mid-West. I also made lots of Eastern PA. rifles for people in AZ and Calif.
So I find that demand for verious styles of arms is not related to the history of their geographic location. The trends come and go, and they change from time to time. I live in Wyoming, and you'd think that Hawken, Leman, Deringer and Henry rifles would be the rage here, but it's just not so. In Montana, just north of me it is, but here most people want Eastern Guns,(Rev war and earlier) and German guns. Why?
Who knows !?
So I was asking my question so I could make some guns in the future to go to shows and rendezvous with, but I want to make what people are asking for. The local history doesn't seem to dictate what is demanded in any area. The deep south seems to follow it's own roots most, but even there I's not something you can bank on.
So guys, that's why I am asking what you would want if you could have "your dream gun" (lets say--- if it was a gift, so price didn't have to be a factor) and also I want to know where you live.
SZ
This is the point of the question.
You see, I stopped taking orders in the spring of 1999 because I got so far behind. I am not getting closer to being caught up. Back in the late 90s it was in interesting fact that most Hawkens that I made went to people in the East and Mid-West. I also made lots of Eastern PA. rifles for people in AZ and Calif.
So I find that demand for verious styles of arms is not related to the history of their geographic location. The trends come and go, and they change from time to time. I live in Wyoming, and you'd think that Hawken, Leman, Deringer and Henry rifles would be the rage here, but it's just not so. In Montana, just north of me it is, but here most people want Eastern Guns,(Rev war and earlier) and German guns. Why?
Who knows !?
So I was asking my question so I could make some guns in the future to go to shows and rendezvous with, but I want to make what people are asking for. The local history doesn't seem to dictate what is demanded in any area. The deep south seems to follow it's own roots most, but even there I's not something you can bank on.
So guys, that's why I am asking what you would want if you could have "your dream gun" (lets say--- if it was a gift, so price didn't have to be a factor) and also I want to know where you live.
SZ
Ahh Mavrick--You and I think much alike, for exactly the same reason. We have LOTs of Grizzlies here, and I see them often. I carry a flint .62 with a 37 " barrel for my hunting. I may even make myself up a 72 English Rigby or Purdy, or a short 72 cal German Jaeger in the not-too-distant future.
You see, I am allergic to rag week, poltry dust, having my guts ripped out, and wheat mold.
So I always try to have the right medicine handy.
SZ
You see, I am allergic to rag week, poltry dust, having my guts ripped out, and wheat mold.
So I always try to have the right medicine handy.
SZ
Desert Rat
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2004
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- 722
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Steve, I'd like to see a custom builder such as yourself build some "common" high quality plain guns that an average guy might be able to afford, whatever the style. I don't know if it is even possible but there might be a large market for them.
Like someone said before what I want right now is changing all the time. When i started this odyssey all I wanted was Eastern style guns but now am leaning towards guns of the western trade. I guess to some it up i'd like a large caliber Derringer or Leman.
Like someone said before what I want right now is changing all the time. When i started this odyssey all I wanted was Eastern style guns but now am leaning towards guns of the western trade. I guess to some it up i'd like a large caliber Derringer or Leman.
I think that of late there has been a trend toward the pre rev-war type guns in many areas, in the Rondy crowd it is Hawkins and trade guns probably from coast to coast I devolved from the late 1840's to about 1760 or so and I feel I have settled in at this point in time,it seems there was a big push for the poor boys some time back if I recall, with the internet providing instant and in depth informatiom on the historical aspect of the guns, I think a great shift toward historical accuracy is underway, as more people are able to make informed choices now if history is an issue of interest, don't know if the above rambling was of any interest, just some overall observations I have made the last few years based on peoples posts+ my own interpretation of many questions and comments.
tg said:
One of the most underestimated and overlooked ML pieces out there. I first thought it was one of the weirdest looking guns I ever saw. But after using one, then making mine up, found the old adage is true, form does follow function.
Actually Desert Rat, I have done that -- quite a bit. I think it's a good idea, but what people are buying in Indaina and Ohio may not be what people are buying in Az and Califorina.
So you see,,,,,that's why I am asking.
If a builder can make a $9,000 gun I can absolutely assure you, he can make a $1,000 gun.
But what $1,000 guns are shooters buying? And $2,000, and $3,000 and so on.....
That's what I am wondering.
That's the reason for my question.
:hatsoff:
So you see,,,,,that's why I am asking.
If a builder can make a $9,000 gun I can absolutely assure you, he can make a $1,000 gun.
But what $1,000 guns are shooters buying? And $2,000, and $3,000 and so on.....
That's what I am wondering.
That's the reason for my question.
:hatsoff:
As you said, I know back in the 70's, it was nipple gun Hawkens or nothing during those old NAPR days there in WY, MT,and such, but that period wore off for many of us. Here I sit in Arizona, and my favorite is, and will be for foreseeable future, my 20 ga. fusil de chasse smoothie. Why, it is just fun, feels right and is so damnable practical, birds, bunnies, tree rats or horns, it fills the bill for all.
Steve. South Texas here for most hunting guns I see are Hawken style.
Now my choice I always wanted a Golden age Kentucky (Shape). Never got one but did get a TVA Southern Flint last year. My favorite to turn heads and hunt with is a Southern Germany double .50 with one rifled and one smooth barrel fully engraved. But what makes it a favorite is it fits perfect when thrown to the shoulder and hits POA with Pritcher type bullets.
Back to your question down here Hawkins lead the list with muskets next. Lots of lookers at the pennsylvanias but then they ask for the Hawkins.
I agree as was said would like to find plain custon or semi rifle or smoothbore. I think my next will be 20ga fowler in flint.
Fox :thumbsup:
Now my choice I always wanted a Golden age Kentucky (Shape). Never got one but did get a TVA Southern Flint last year. My favorite to turn heads and hunt with is a Southern Germany double .50 with one rifled and one smooth barrel fully engraved. But what makes it a favorite is it fits perfect when thrown to the shoulder and hits POA with Pritcher type bullets.
Back to your question down here Hawkins lead the list with muskets next. Lots of lookers at the pennsylvanias but then they ask for the Hawkins.
I agree as was said would like to find plain custon or semi rifle or smoothbore. I think my next will be 20ga fowler in flint.
Fox :thumbsup:
Mike Brooks
Cannon
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2005
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- 6,686
- Reaction score
- 33
It's just as much "who" as what with me. As long as we're dreaming..... :winking:
I'd have Al Martin buiuld me two Lehigh guns. A .50 smooth rifle, high ly decorated with all the bells and whistles, a real high end gun. Then I'd have him do a lehigh barn rifle in .38 cal, just a plain jane, no buttplate or box, just a trigger guard, and a little carving.
I'd like Mark Silver to build me an english fowler, a 16 bore with about a 40" barrel with a bunch of wire work, and any other decoration he felt like doing.
I'd have Mike Ehnger build me a SXS 20 bore flint gun, something on the Joe Manton line, early to mid 1820's so it would have all the late flint gimmicks on it.
Eric Kettenberg would build me a big old Hudson Valley or dutch wild fowling gun, Something with a 5 1/2' or 6' barrel on it.
I'd have Hershel House build me a 20 bore english fowler ca. 1770 as only he can do them, and probably have a virginia rifle by him too, some thing early, and just let him run with it. I'd have him build me a late flint iron mounted North Carolina rifle to I guess, probably a .29cal, just like the one I used to have by him.
I'd have Al Martin buiuld me two Lehigh guns. A .50 smooth rifle, high ly decorated with all the bells and whistles, a real high end gun. Then I'd have him do a lehigh barn rifle in .38 cal, just a plain jane, no buttplate or box, just a trigger guard, and a little carving.
I'd like Mark Silver to build me an english fowler, a 16 bore with about a 40" barrel with a bunch of wire work, and any other decoration he felt like doing.
I'd have Mike Ehnger build me a SXS 20 bore flint gun, something on the Joe Manton line, early to mid 1820's so it would have all the late flint gimmicks on it.
Eric Kettenberg would build me a big old Hudson Valley or dutch wild fowling gun, Something with a 5 1/2' or 6' barrel on it.
I'd have Hershel House build me a 20 bore english fowler ca. 1770 as only he can do them, and probably have a virginia rifle by him too, some thing early, and just let him run with it. I'd have him build me a late flint iron mounted North Carolina rifle to I guess, probably a .29cal, just like the one I used to have by him.
Hey mike
I figured it out.
You wanna know how to make a million dollars as a gunsmith?
(shhhhhh this is a deep secret!)
First you start with $2,000,000.
Work like a machine, for 14 hours a day, 6 days a week for 30 years.
In 30 years You will have $1,000,000
:yakyak:
I figured it out.
You wanna know how to make a million dollars as a gunsmith?
(shhhhhh this is a deep secret!)
First you start with $2,000,000.
Work like a machine, for 14 hours a day, 6 days a week for 30 years.
In 30 years You will have $1,000,000
:yakyak:
My "dream gun" would be one of Jessie Holder's Tennessee Rifles, left handed, although I don't know if he ever made any. I've seen the pictures in Miz Holder's store, but haven't seen one of the rifles up close. The local money boys are keepin' it to themselves if they have one.
Mike Brooks
Cannon
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2005
- Messages
- 6,686
- Reaction score
- 33
You'll have far less than that! :haha:
