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Unknown flintlock muzzleloader

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Andrew Kormos

32 Cal
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
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Hello, I recently acquired an old flintlock muzzleloader from my past father-in-law. It appears to be a Kentucky long rifle. The only marking it has is on the barrel, G. I’m not completely worried about the brand as I am the caliber. Using a pair of calipers I measured from land to land and got around a .40. Groove to groove I got around .45. It came with some old lead balls and grooved slugs (he bought them years ago in California, he lived in Pa for the last 30+ years) all are marked 440. I’m thinking it’s a .45 caliber. I want to verify not only to buy more lead and patches but Pa law is .44 and up. Any help is appreciated!
 
A .440 ball would indeed indicate a nominal .45 caliber. Is this a modern reproduction rifle?
 
Here’s some pictures
8DF36AE5-29CA-40E2-8129-B909312C75F8.jpeg
C5F8B8F2-7FC0-438A-BA36-125DEBA0B1DD.jpeg
C5F8B8F2-7FC0-438A-BA36-125DEBA0B1DD.jpeg
1A584D5A-91E5-40FD-BA4B-82242089BFC3.jpeg
013887CD-313A-4F6D-9C8D-5770286F6987.jpeg
 
Hopkins and Allen from the 1970’s. Believe they were made in .36 and .45 caliber.
 
Yup, A Hopkins & Allen Minuteman. I have one. Nominally a.45 caliber but actually a .44. I use a .433 ball. That star inlay on the cheekpiece is not factory but sure looks nice. Bought mine around '71 or '72.
 
Quite a lot of the rifles that were made in the early '70's were .44 caliber. I know the Kentuckian flintlock I bought at the time was a .44 and I also used a patched .433 diameter roundball in it.
 
Yeah I helped a friend's son "horse trade" for a flintlock rifle for very little green...1970's vintage .44 rifle, and I bought the youngster a .433 ball mold.

Pictures posted

Nice photos...please lower the cock from full position to completely down. My OCD is driving me nuts imagining you have that on a wall or in a rack fully cocked all the time. :confused:

LD
 
As stated , the Hopkins & Allen Minuteman rifle by Numrich, came as built or kit (all parts were inletted). Not sure why they chose to list as .36 or .45 cal when they were more like 35 and 44. Marketing maybe ? I believe the barrels (not sure who made them) were the best part of the whole rifle ! Here is my kit I did back in mid 70s.
PICT0016.JPG
 
As stated , the Hopkins & Allen Minuteman rifle by Numrich, came as built or kit (all parts were inletted). Not sure why they chose to list as .36 or .45 cal when they were more like 35 and 44. Marketing maybe ? I believe the barrels (not sure who made them) were the best part of the whole rifle ! Here is my kit I did back in mid 70s. View attachment 19088
That is such a cool photo...love the tie and shirt. The spice rack, pepsi can and the decor :cool:
 
Quite a lot of the rifles that were made in the early '70's were .44 caliber. I know the Kentuckian flintlock I bought at the time was a .44 and I also used a patched .433 diameter roundball in it.
Agreed. My late 1960s Intercontinental Arms Kentuckian is a .44 and shoots a patched .433 or .430. It is marked as .44 on the barrel, though.
 
Yep! The group has it! Numrich H&A "Minuteman" rifle,
nominally .45 but actually .44. I'll bet that one was assembled from the kit and the inlay was added. The stock is darker than most that were factory assembled too, but that "paint spill" patchbox design is distinctive. All things considered, they were a fine rifle for the money.
 
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