Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: PistolPete on May 03, 2010, 08:15:51 AM

Title: making a 1700's flintlock pistol - advice needed
Post by: PistolPete on May 03, 2010, 08:15:51 AM

I've been shooting stokers for a while now, and over the weekend, I ran into Gary Messer, who builds his own rifles and pistols. A great craftsman. That led me to here.

I thought I could do the same making a 1700's flintlock pistol, since I'm pretty handy with wood and metal, but need some advice on how to end up with a quality piece, since a lot of work is going into it.

A couple of questions:

-Where to get the quality components, barrel and lock and fittings. I know there's a lot of discount places out there, but I don't need to turn a profit here, just enjoy a quality piece. Maybe not necessarily the most expensive, but no compromise either. I could probably make a barrel and lock if I spent enough time at it, but think it would be too much for my first effort.

-Is there anywhere that offers online steps for this? I hate to make obvious mistakes that I could avoid, thanks to others being there first.

Thanks for any help you guys can give me.

PistolPete

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Post by: Mike R on May 03, 2010, 09:07:42 AM

First decide on a style of pistol [page through the books that show original guns--some can be found online--I built my pistol along the lines of a 1770s British pistol pictured in the older Track of the Wolf (TOW) catalog]. The style will determine what parts you need.  Rayl makes good affordable pistol barrels and there are others. Chambers makes a couple very good small locks [also check out TOW]--I used an old Cochran [no longer available], but a small Siler would work fine. Check out TOW online catalog [and there are others] for selections of other hardware like triggers, guards, ramrod pipes, sideplates,etc. Pistol stocks can be ordered precut or in rough sawed block form. I used a curly maple block leftover from a rifle project that someone else had.  Pistol kits can be had from Muzzleloader Builders Supply for many models and would be the way to go for a 1st time builder.  I don't know any online instructions but several books cover rifle building and a pistol is built the same way.

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Post by: Billd on May 03, 2010, 05:30:55 PM

Jim Chambers sells a pistol kit.  It's probably not much more money than you'll spend buying all the parts separately.  I don't know where your from, but his kit is legal for deer hunting in PA.  Check out his web site.

I held one last year at the Lewisburg show, nice comfortable piece.

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Post by: PistolPete on May 03, 2010, 09:47:43 PM

It would look something like this:

(http://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/img/catalog/34200.jpg)

Muzzleloader Builders' Supply has a kit, but I'm not sure if it is a good one, or a compromise.

Jim Chambers only sells one pistol kit, unless I'm missing something.

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Post by: Capt. Jas. on May 04, 2010, 05:55:55 AM

Try Chris Altland of York Co. Flintlocks. He is producing some very high quality pistol kits from originals. Available in brass or sterling parts, Getz barrels. He bought out the Kennedy moulds.
Top of the line.


http://www.firelockpistols.com/ (http://www.firelockpistols.com/)

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Post by: butterchurn on May 04, 2010, 11:13:47 AM

Fabulous, Capt. Jas.!

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Post by: Osprey on May 04, 2010, 06:14:02 PM

I'll second Chris, got a silver mount Beck Queen Anne's kit from him at Dixon's last summer, great kit and a great guy to deal with.  And for the minimal price difference ya gotta go with the sterling silver!!!