Sparrow Flintlock Pistol Done

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It's done. I varnished the pistol after allowing the oil-rub to dry. I may wax the stock also in several weeks time.
It's been a great experience making this Flintlock pistol. There were some challenges as always, but the build went by pretty smoothly.
The butt cap inlet was painstaking but it came out pretty well for my first attempt at this type. I plan to make a more correct ramrod later, and perhaps even try and modify the pan (rounding it to a more English style) as well.
The pistol is from a kit by Muzzleloader Builder's Supply. The 10 inch barrel is .50 caliber and a smoothbore. The stock is American Black Walnut with brass mountings.
This should be a fun gun to shoot, both roundball and maybe even some bird shot as well.
 

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CONGRATULATIONS ! Thank you for sharing with us can't wait for the range report I hate to say it but it looks too nice to shoot
 
It's done. I varnished the pistol after allowing the oil-rub to dry. I may wax the stock also in several weeks time.
It's been a great experience making this Flintlock pistol. There were some challenges as always, but the build went by pretty smoothly.
The butt cap inlet was painstaking but it came out pretty well for my first attempt at this type. I plan to make a more correct ramrod later, and perhaps even try and modify the pan (rounding it to a more English style) as well.
The pistol is from a kit by Muzzleloader Builder's Supply. The 10 inch barrel is .50 caliber and a smoothbore. The stock is American Black Walnut with brass mountings.
This should be a fun gun to shoot, both roundball and maybe even some bird shot as well.
Great looking pistol! Did you get this kit from MBS recently? On their site it appears they are not currently available.
 
Great looking pistol! Could you elaborate on how you applied the "varnish" after the oild finish? What did you use for varnish? Did you hand rub it on in thin coats? How many coats? The sheen is very nice but applying varnish over oil finish seems to me like a tricky proposition.
 
Yes it’s from MBS. Ryan was waiting forever for small Siler locks, which arrived a few weeks ago, so you can order the stock and parts now (I think).
Ah okay cool. If you don't mind me asking, how much was the kit total? They don't have the prices listed still.
 
Great looking pistol! Could you elaborate on how you applied the "varnish" after the oild finish? What did you use for varnish? Did you hand rub it on in thin coats? How many coats? The sheen is very nice but applying varnish over oil finish seems to me like a tricky proposition.
Boiled Linseed Oil which I rubbed in for two days using cloth and a white 3M pad. Allowed the oil to dry and then used wipe-on poly. Three really light applications over a couple days. I will probably use Renaissance Wax on it in a few weeks.
 
I got to shoot the Sparrow a little bit this afternoon. I was shooting .440 with denim patch and 30 grains at 12 yards, resting the gun on my portable work table. It wasn’t the best arrangement but I was pinched for time. Anyway, got six rounds off and looks like I can do some fun stuff with the gun. Bird shot loads are next 🙂
 

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It's done. I varnished the pistol after allowing the oil-rub to dry. I may wax the stock also in several weeks time.
It's been a great experience making this Flintlock pistol. There were some challenges as always, but the build went by pretty smoothly.
The butt cap inlet was painstaking but it came out pretty well for my first attempt at this type. I plan to make a more correct ramrod later, and perhaps even try and modify the pan (rounding it to a more English style) as well.
The pistol is from a kit by Muzzleloader Builder's Supply. The 10 inch barrel is .50 caliber and a smoothbore. The stock is American Black Walnut with brass mountings.
This should be a fun gun to shoot, both roundball and maybe even some bird shot as well.
Looks really good Bob, nice job!
 
I got to shoot the Sparrow a little bit this afternoon. I was shooting .440 with denim patch and 30 grains at 12 yards, resting the gun on my portable work table. It wasn’t the best arrangement but I was pinched for time. Anyway, got six rounds off and looks like I can do some fun stuff with the gun. Bird shot loads are next 🙂
I have a .50 smoothbore also but haven't shot it yet so your shot combination is welcome! I'm wrong, I did shoot it last 4th of July with a blank charge! :p
 
Great job on the pistol. Good shooting too. These smooth bore flint pistols aren't much good past about 15 yards. But then again, that's all they were really made for. And a man-size target at 15 yards or less is a big target. These pistols are fun to shoot.

Rick
 
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