35 or so years ago I got into black powder with a New Army 44 and a Dixie Gun Works 45 caliber. It was fun for a while, but my young impatient mind got tired of the maintenance required to shot and clean these weapon and I sold them and walked away.
Fast forward grown kids and several grey hairs later and I caught the bug again and in the last year I have ended up with a little Crockett squirrel rifle, a Pedersoli Frontier (Blueridge) 50 cal flint and a Spiller and Burr 36 cal pistol.
I have always loved history and living in eastern Tennessee influenced my decision to get the Atlanta built pistol copy and the little Crockett rifle.
After loading and shooting these weapons with the look, smell, feel and the work involved, as opposed to just slamming a cartridge home with a bolt, I have reached a point in my life I can start to truly appreciate these fine works of art.
Jim