Probably, it's a late 16th / early 17th century wheellock of pretty unique design. I haven't even been able to find some pieces or parts from the Rifle Shoppe that I could modify. So I plan to just start with junks of steel and file out what I need.
Tennessee Valley Muzzleloaders
- Thread starter Beaver3365
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It can be done
This guy makes most of the parts with sawing, grinding, and filing from blocks of steel.
user 54092
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I have a TVM .50 cal. Leman, but I couldn't prove it by the rifle itself. I told them I didn't want a cheek piece on the stock and the price for that decision was no TVM markings on the rifle. No matter, it shoots straight without the cheek piece and markings.
Jedidiah
Old, Grumpy & still kickin !
I agree, nice rifle too!
i thank you for the thought. a couple of years ago i posted a photo of my gun and people here told me the same thing as you. i was worried about it and asked a very good builder on this forum about it. he said there was nothing to fret over and just leave it as is. the gun is over 20 years old and no problems yet,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I had a beautiful Late Lancaster built per my specs by TVM a few years ago.
It turned out as the gun of my dreams I was hoping for! It took about a year, but it was well worth it.
I wanted extra fancy curly maple, a 44” long swamped barrel with 50 cal round bottom rifling, engraving and other brass bells and whistles.
I love shooting it and it’s a real tack driver! The RO’s all gather around when I bring it out.
I highly recommend them!
It turned out as the gun of my dreams I was hoping for! It took about a year, but it was well worth it.
I wanted extra fancy curly maple, a 44” long swamped barrel with 50 cal round bottom rifling, engraving and other brass bells and whistles.
I love shooting it and it’s a real tack driver! The RO’s all gather around when I bring it out.
I highly recommend them!
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Should be fine as long as you don't drop it or lean to hard on it sideways. I don't think recoil alone will break it but with all the wood removal for lock , tang and loading rod clearance it's asking a lot for such a weak grain run to stay together over time and use.
I'm really surprised any professional gun builder would have used that stock lay out!
hanshi
Cannon
I have more than just one TVM built gun. The first one I ever ordered from Matt took just about a year. I often had barrels/locks from other sources requested for the builds. Almost whatever you want in your gun can be ordered and used.
I have yet to figure out where this term "slab sided" came from. Just look at rifles from notable builders in museums & books and you'll find some that deserve that sorta description. My .50 "Frankenrifle" - an accurate, lightweight beauty is a one-of-a-kind like no other. I do own a TVM smoothbore that should have had a little more wood removed from the stock. But the only problem was a breakage in the Chambers lock which was fixed after I sent the lock back.
For the critics of these "slab sided" TVMs, here's a photo of my clunky .36 SMR.
I have yet to figure out where this term "slab sided" came from. Just look at rifles from notable builders in museums & books and you'll find some that deserve that sorta description. My .50 "Frankenrifle" - an accurate, lightweight beauty is a one-of-a-kind like no other. I do own a TVM smoothbore that should have had a little more wood removed from the stock. But the only problem was a breakage in the Chambers lock which was fixed after I sent the lock back.
For the critics of these "slab sided" TVMs, here's a photo of my clunky .36 SMR.
hanshi
Cannon
Wow, Cherrybow, I like that rifle and wish I could get one like it. Wonder why they dropped that model?
New here n there be 2 TVM , the original with Jack Garner off whom built my SPB .LH .40 cal back in 1980. He had sold that business to Matt Vance but has later opened another shop at his home in Corinth , MS. Matt moved his shop to Natchez, MS. I have seen some builds out of Matt's shop that i would not accept. Don't know who was doing the build work on them. Matt does a good job
I know this is a late response but I just saw it. I own 3 TVM flintlocks: a .36 Iron PA, a .50 Early Virginia and a .62 Fowler. The first to arrive was the Early Virginia. The first thing that happened was the rear sight fell out when I grabbed the gun. They sent a replacement sight but I just used semi-permanent Loctite and it's been secure ever since. The second to arrive was the .36 Iron PA. The front sight was bent horribly with zero damage to the shipping container. Obviously happened there but they wanted pictures of the box with no real solution except I could send it back. With some judicial work I got it straightened BUT the lock itself had an intermittent issue with not catching at half cock. It finally went back and they found a burr on the fly. I had to pay return shipping. The Fowler arrived last. From some pictures they sent before shipping it looked like the touch hole was off center but I figured no way would they let something like that get by. I was wrong. The touch hole was so far off center it was at the far side of the pan. I sent it back and they had to rebarrel it. So problems with 3 out of 3. But now a couple years later they are all working fine, although I had to reglue a couple of the nose caps. In the future I would probably for myself find another source.
Jedidiah
Old, Grumpy & still kickin !
Yes, I would say three strikes and your out.
Can't argue with that! I like my guns very much--now. Shouldn't have had to do all that though to get them to this point.
Jedidiah
Old, Grumpy & still kickin !
I always tell the vendor, "every dollar I give you works perfectly. I expect your product to do the same."
Very true. I may have to steal that line from you.
Rock Home Isle
58 Cal.
I must say, I’ve been enjoying these recent thread resurrections.
I have several TVMs. I have enjoyed each of them very much.
Above are my Poor Boys. The top is a Natchez Poor Boy, ,40 calibre. Below is my very first TVM, a Mississippi Poor Boy, .45 calibre.
Both of these guns shoot very tight groups out to 75 yrds, my eyes aren’t what they used to be, so 75 yrds seems to be my limit these days. The .45 calibre has taken several mule deer over the years, I’ve really come to love and appreciate the architecture and designs of flintlock rifles.
The .40 calibre is very accurate with both a .390 RB and a .375 RB with heavy patching. Great squirrel rifle, haven’t had the opportunity to use it on deer as yet. I have developed a solidly accurate load using a cast bullet intended for the .40 S&W. (Colorado requires a conical bullet, if using the .40 calibre for deer sized big game.)
Above is my .20 gauge American Fowler, based off an Early Virginia stock. This gun has been great on clay pigeons and pass shooting doves.
My French Fusil, also 20 gauge. Very nimble, light and fun to take into the field. Its primary quarry has been rabbits and doves.
I really treasure my TVMs, great company to do business with.
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I like mine too--now. Don't like what I had to go through to get them there though. And the wait for mine was about 1 1/2 years or just under, for each one. Not bad but was initially told "probably between 6 and 8 months".
Rock Home Isle
58 Cal.
Isn’t that just crazy…My first gun took 6 months, no big deal. My last gun was the French Fusil…1 year before I saw that gun. My dad and I placed our order within moments of each other…ordered the same gun, same stock quality. Side by side they are twins. But yeah, a year was nuts…
I will say that my .45 calibre was not accurate for several years, pie plate sized groups at 25 yrds. I spent days at the range trying to develope a load that was even remotely accurate. No such luck. I sent it back to TVM twice, with them assuring me both times that everything was good.
One day at the club, I was talking about my terrible TVM long rifle. One of the guys was a gun builder, said to bring it by his shop. He looked the gun over very carefully. Finally got out a magnifying glass and went over the muzzle. Recrowned the barrel and she’s shot lights out ever since.
