Vincent Rifle

[Earle Varney]

I have an oppurtunity to buy a Golden Age Arms Vincent 1/2 stock kit in flintlock. Would the Vincent 1/2 stock ever been made in Flint. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Greyfeather]

I have been told that three flint Vincents are known. One I have seen, it is a full stock and is possibly a conversion to flint, I know nothing of the others.

 

There are stories told of both flint and full stock Vincents but to my knowledge none have been verified or documented as being original Vincents????
Mark

 

[F.G. Ford]

I really don't know nuthin' from nuthin', however the Vincent rifle that I have is percussion, and all of the ones that I have seen are percussion.
Also the Vincent came along late in the percussion period.
By all means, there is no reason that a fine rifle like this could not be flint.
Don't worry about the PC police, enjoy your travels wherever they lead you.
Old Ford

 

[Bruce Bogart]

It's a nice kit. Buy it and change it out to percussion if you don't think the PC/HC dudes will give you a rogh way to go (or leave it like it is if you want to). It's your dag gone rifle :wink:

 

[Herb]

In Ohio Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen, Volume V, a fullstock flint John Vincent is pictured on page 105.

 

[Earle Varney]

I certainly would keep it a flint if I do buy it. No one at our vous would care if it was pc, was more curious for my self. Thanks for the input.

 

[F.G. Ford]

In reply to "Herb"
What can I say!
There is a flint Vincent!
Thank you for the education.
Fred

 

[Robby]

Heattech, I like Vincent's and one of the first guns I made was a Vincent percussion. You might try contacting http://www.aolrc.org/. I have another in the pipeline. It will be a flint, hook breach, half stock in curly ash. I never make exact copies of anything. :grin:
Robby

 

[Dphar]

It would be rare but possible, anything is possible. I expect GAA was selling FL Vincents and FL Kits just to increase their sales. But in the east the FL was pretty out of favor by the 1840s. Hung on more in the west and there is a S. Hawken Mtn rifle in Flint in the Smithsonian (converted to perc) likely a late 1840s early 50s gun.
If you don't want the kit, or would want to resell let me know.
I have a friend in Wyoming who wants a flint Vincent and HC does not come on his radar screen.
He just hates percussion guns and wants a Vincent.
I can put you in touch with him.

Dan

 

[Dphar]

In Ohio Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen, Volume V, a fullstock flint John Vincent is pictured on page 105.

This is not surprising.
Anyone making rifles in the the 1830s had to make at least some flintlocks, percussions were not universally adopted as soon as the technology appeared. The flintlock hung on longer than many might think. At least west of the Eastern Seaboard.
"Ohio Gunsmiths" is another book I don't have but should.

Dan

 

[Earle Varney]

I just found out more info. The kit came as percussion, and he had it converted to flint. I am not sure what that means because it is still in kit form. no hole drilled in the barrel. To me that would mean he/they bought a different lock, will try to find out more. certainly enjoy all the feedback fellas.

 

[Earle Varney]

What is a kit like this worth, I see most tow kits are in the 700ish range. This xxx maple stock and he is asking $550.

 

[Bruce Bogart]

Buy that thing. For that price it is a sweet kit! Learn to shoot off your bicep tho. I got a couple in the shop I need to finish up. So much to do so little time :idunno:

 

[Earle Varney]

I already shoot a flint smoothie neaver had decent flint rifle or one that fit me well. Time to make the plunge

 

[Shine]

but will you really be happy. :grin:

 

A couple of things. First, Golden Age Arms has been gone for at least 20 years, if it's the company that Jim Johnson owned. Next if it's a kit from them, it's way better than any Track kit. Changing it from Percussion to flint is nothing more than swapping out the lock for one of the same profile, if the lock mortice is already cut. $550 for that kit is take it and run, before they charge you with theft. It's a great deal. Don't worry about getting replacement parts, Jim's kits were all quality parts that are still produced today. And lastly, it's a parts set, not a kit, no instructions, or build order. So if you have not built before, you should get one of the books on building that places like track offer. Also check out the build Tutorials on this site. Good luck with it if you get it.

Bill

 

[gizamo]

If that is the kit I think it is..... Bruce Bean did the lockwork.

 

[Bruce Bogart]

Golden Age Arms, Jim Johnson also put out a pamphlet on Vincent rifles. If you buy this kit let me know and I'll try to forward you a copy.

 

[Earle Varney]

I met with the fella who had the Vincent parts and brought it home today. Not sure I want to tackle putting it together. Might have to sit on it for a little while.