What rifle?

[jamesthomas]

I'am giving serious thought on getting a flintlock from TVM. It would be a .40 cal. with a 36 inch barrel in left hand. I'm thinking either Poor-Boy or Tennesse Rifle in Basic steel. Would Maple or Walnut be more H.C.? Going to start a savings plan this month. Did they have single or double triggers back then? Thanks, might have some more questions later.

 

[Rifleman1776]

You would be doing yourself a favor to do some reading. Joining NMLRA and getting Muzzle Blasts magazine would be a great help. And, yes, double triggers (sett) go back centuries. However, a sett trigger on a Po' Boy would not be the most kosher thing. Simple rifle were.....uh....simple :wink: and inexpensive. Your suggested barrel length is sorta short for that style also. But, no fear, if that is what you want the PC police are out on strike and won't get you. :wink: Meaning, in this game doing what you want is all that matters. (within the bounds of safety)

 

[rich pierce]

I'm with rifleman 1776, above. Sounds like you want a shooter more than something historically based. As stated above, 36" is shorter than any known examples of original fullstock "poor-boy" or "Tennessee" rifles. The current offerings of these rifles and kits by TVM, Track of the Wolf, and many others are based off of 1970's re-creations that were made to suit folks coming over to black powder from the cartridge side of things. Original late flint/early percussion iron mounted "Southern mountain rifles" usually weighed 9-12 pounds, had huge thick barrels with small caliber bores, had hand-forged hardware of great variety, and distinctive styling from region to region and maker to maker. Then in the 1970's Herschel House and others started making their own styles of iron mounted rifles based loosely on originals. Those guns are now called "Woodbury" school rifles. If you're primarily wanting a light weight squirrel gun for hunting, your plans sound fine, and it won't matter whether it's walnut or maple, choose what you like best.

 

[jdkerstetter]

Most known Southern Mountain Rifles (SMR) were Maple though Walnut was used frequently. Many surviving Maple stocked guns have a dark finish or patina which may be may be mistaken for Walnut.

Most known SMR's had set-triggers, even the plain ones, though single triggers were used...though less frequently. If you are going to get a fully mounted SMR then set-triggers are practically a must. "Poor Boy", plain gun, then you're call.

Rifleman is right, barrel should be longer, at least 40 inches. Longer looks better too.

Biggest thing is to make sure the builder uses an English style lock like a Ketland, Manton or Ashmore. There are no known surviving SMR's with Germanic style locks. Doesn't mean it never happened, just that not one has surfaced.

The ones produced today as rifles and kits are hold-overs from when all you could reliably get was Silers locks.

As Rifleman said, do your research so you won't be sorry later.

Enjoy the journey, J.D.

 

[jdkerstetter]

....and what Rich said!!! :wink: Enjoy, J.D.

 

[jamesthomas]

Well, I'm only 5'0 tall so a 42" barrel becomes rather a problem loading. That's why a 36" barrel.

 

[rich pierce]

They was a lot of short guys back in the day and many mid-1700's long fowling pieces have barrels 54" or so in length. They leaned the gun to load it. But you should definitely get the gun that fits your needs best.

 

[Matt85]

Well, I'm only 5'0 tall so a 42" barrel becomes rather a problem loading. That's why a 36" barrel.

from some of the articles ive read the proper measurement for a longrifle was that when stood on its stock the muzzle should be just under chin height.

so if i were you id measure from your chin to the ground then subract your length of pull and around 3" for the tang. this should give you your ideal barrel length. (EX: my rifle has a 13" LOP and about 3" from the trigger to breech. the barrel is 42". the overall length is 58")

im no expert of this subject i was just looken at my rifle and thought this formula might work.

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

Contact Tip Curtis about what you are look for when you are ready, especially for a left handed rifle. The TVMs come standard with a Siler lock which is incorrect for the type. Also the architecture of the front end of the rifle is not HC, in my opinion.

 

Armakiller,
I have to agree with what has been said but will also add, I have a TVM early Vrginia in .45 caliber with a 36" barrel and curley maple stock in LH. I have gone to the shorter smaller barrels because of physical problems, but really like it. Research what you want carefully and you will be a lot happier with the results regardless of what you get.
Mark

 

[jamesthomas]

Where's a Transporter Beam when ya need one? Tip Curtis is almost 9 hours away! But My younger brother lives in Madison,Al. which is only 150 miles away. Looks like I might be able to visit him sometime later this fall or winter when I plan on visiting my brother to go deer and hog hunting. I'll give it my best shot.Thanks for the heads up! :thumbsup:

 

[6mmppc]

Well, I'm only 5'0 tall so a 42" barrel becomes rather a problem loading. That's why a 36" barrel.

Then by all means build a shorter barreled rifle. I love the 38" B profile barrels on Southern rifles. Most of the originals were longer but many of them have been cut back at the breech/muzzle to clean up the breech/muzzles from years of use. I ran across an original Gillespie found in TX that had been cut back to around 32 inches (built in NC). My personal favorite hunting rifle was a poor boy that had a 38 inch B profile Rice barrel in 45 caliber. Very handy and accurate rifle.
Dennis

 

[Black Hand]

Well, I'm only 5'0 tall so a 42" barrel becomes rather a problem loading. That's why a 36" barrel.

Just lean the rifle a bit more (That's what I do). You'll be able to load a 42" barrel just fine.

 

[54ball]

My favorite era is 1800-20. The rifles from this era have a slimness and look that is, well just right. When I think about a fine longrifle this era comes to mind, especially in southern guns. Rifles like this would have been in the hands of Andy's Boys at New Orleans.
I suggest a A wt. 38"bbl in .40. English lock as Rich said and double set triggers.
Many a fine rifle were made plain in that era. They were devoid of unneeded trim but the heart of the rifle; lock, stock, barrel and triggers were top notch. They were built to shoot.
The look of a early 1800-20 southern rifle is hard to truly capture. You want it shorter and in left hand so it makes it a little more challenging to capture the look.
TVM makes a fine product but I think this build screams custom builder to really capture the era.
Since you are planning to save I would contact some builders, after I did my research and chose the exact rifle I wanted.
TVM's prices have crept up in recent years so having a full custom build may not be much more at all.

 

[stone knife]

I have the TVM Tennessee rifle in .45 it is an excellent gun