OT- Thinking of building an old time Flintlock

Mich Hunter · Post by **Mich Hunter** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:54 am

I have been wanting to do this for a few years, but have never gotten it off the ground. I really want to take my sweet time and build a nice one. Something I would be proud to pass down the line, but still a shooter. Triger maple full stock with the works. I have allot of wood working tools and the place to do it. I have built a few percussion rifles from kits when I was younger, but never a fancy flintlock.

My question to you is has anyone ever attempted it themselves??? Its just something about those rifles that has given me an itch that I need to scratch. I need some resources.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:14 am

Mich hunter checkout the muzzleloadingforum athttp://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/index.php.A great bunch of guy's that can answer any guestion concerning tradition BP muzzleloading firearms(no inline firearm posts allowed) and also cap n' ball revolvers.More than a few members are veteran custom builders.Hope this helps.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:22 am

Try Track of the Wolf for your parts. They have everything set up so you can order everything you need for a particular rifle pretty easy. When you look at the stuff online you'll see what I mean. One word of caution though. I built a Southern Mountain rifle from parts I got from them about 20 years ago. I filled out my order form and sent it in. they sent me all the parts just as promised... except the breech plug. That they put no back order. So there I sat looking at several hundred dollars worth of gun parts and nothing I could do cause the first thing you have to do is breech the barrel to start the inletting. I ended up getting the plug from another source, but I thought that was a pretty poor way of doing business.

20cows · Post by **20cows** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:10 am

I converted a percussion to flint for a friend and have a lock to do it to one of mine when I get to it.

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:00 am

Check this out: http://www.longrifles-pr.com/prerevkentucky.shtml

El Mac · Post by **El Mac** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:23 am

Mich hunter wrote:I have been wanting to do this for a few years...Its just something about those rifles that has given me an itch that I need to scratch.

You aren't the only one. I recently visited with a Master builder of flintlocks (much of his work can be seen at the NRA museum in Virginia). A very interesting evening... how I admire men like him that can build and do things with their hands and hand tools! At any rate, he really recommended a parts set (as opposed to a kit) that you can really 'build' not just put together. One of the best is offered by Jim Chambers. Check out his website:
http://www.flintlocks.com/
High quality kits, the best locks and the latitude to buy the barrel from several sources, intructional DVDs and books and uncompromising after sale service.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:03 am

I've only built a muzzle-loading pistol from (almost) scratch.

I used the 8" I cut off the end of the barrel of my new Marlin .444 (in 1967), ran a tap into the rear for a short stovebolt that I had welded a top tang onto.

Since I was doing a caplock, I just drilled a hole for a boughten bolster in what became side of the barrel after the breechblock was wrenched tight, just ahead of the inside forward end of the bolt.
A flintlock's touch hole would most likely go in the same place.

For the stock I used a huge chunk of walnut I retrieved from a woodworking shop, where some learner had mistakenly cut up an old solid walnut desk that had a surface veneer on it.

I purchased the lock & trigger parts together from October Country (?) (I'm not sure I remember exactly who), and inletted them, adapting a nice curved steel trigger guard from a European double shotgun that had seen better days.

It didn't shoot too bad, once I figured out the right ball/patch size.

It was a satisfying project, and I recommend you attempt your longrifle.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:20 am

El Mac wrote:
Mich hunter wrote:I have been wanting to do this for a few years...Its just something about those rifles that has given me an itch that I need to scratch.
You aren't the only one. I recently visited with a Master builder of flintlocks (much of his work can be seen at the NRA museum in Virginia). A very interesting evening... how I admire men like him that can build and do things with their hands and hand tools! At any rate, he really recommended a parts set (as opposed to a kit) that you can really 'build' not just put together. One of the best is offered by Jim Chambers. Check out his website:
http://www.flintlocks.com/
High quality kits, the best locks and the latitude to buy the barrel from several sources, intructional DVDs and books and uncompromising after sale service.

The Chambers kits are highly regarded overall. They are wonderful folks and his daughter Barbie who deals with the business end is the best. Another fella that is highly regarded and I can recommend is Jack Garner from Tennessee Valley Manufacturing TVM. He's one of those good old boys who takes time out to deal individually with you, and gets it right. Offers great PA, TN and VA kits and rifles..different grades of wood and left handed versions He uses Green Mountain and I believe Long Hammock barrels. I am having a local builder finish mine out...a Jack Garner left handed Early Lancaster in 54 Cal Green Mountain barrel, sliding wooden patchbox and double set triggers.

http://www.tennesseevalleymanufacturing.com/

Scott64A · Post by **Scott64A** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:16 am

Oooh, I wish I had more spare time...

As my Meme would have said, "Do to it the thing."

I have always wanted to build one, (even from kit,) in a small-ish caliber for deer and whatnot. Something in .36cal or so to really zip a conical or a ball out there.

Something akin to a squirrell rifle.

Well, let us know what you decide, and PLEASE post some pics!

Don McDowell · Post by **Don McDowell** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:35 am

Track of the Wolf is good.
Dixie Gun Works has plenty to choose from.
I don't know if the Log Cabin Shop in Ohio is still in business but they used to have some of the prettiest stock blanks available, and the other parts they carried were first rate.

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:27 pm

I was going to tell you about muzzleloadingforum.com, however, someone has beat me too it. It is an excellent resourse and has resident experts that can give you excellent advise.

ceb · Post by **ceb** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:49 pm

Chambers also offers a really good how to video. Shows step by step the whole process of building a rifle. I recommend it highly.

Comal Forge · Post by **Comal Forge** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:07 pm

Here is a good link:

http://www.americanlongrifles.com/

I built a Track percussion kit - Southern Tennessee Mountain style in .45 - and am perfectly happy with it. It is a po-boy style and not fancy but sure shoots good. I am very comfortable shooting it out to about 100 yds. with 70gr FFF and round ball.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:48 pm

I have built several. Track of The Wolf is a good place to get parts.

I dont like it when people call them KITS. Kinda like calling a load of lumber a house kit!!!

Late slant breech Hawken 54 cal.

Beck style Kentucky with Syler(sp.) lock Getts swamped barrel .50cal.

Vincent (Ohio) style with .40 cal.42" barrel Dooers Egg lock

And a couple of horns.

Making stuff is a lot of fun. Dont hesitate to jump right in, the water is just fine!!!

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:54 pm

OH I forgot, dont forget to put your mark on your finished gun!!!

El Mac · Post by **El Mac** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:43 pm

darn nice looking Chuck! Way to go.... Very nice work indeed.

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:09 pm

I've been wanting to build something big like .69 or .72 caliber. Or a .54 caliber Hawken or even a .32 of course I guess to get what I want I'm going to have to build all three.

Comal Forge · Post by **Comal Forge** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:11 pm

Chuck,

You do realize someone is one day going to mistake your touchmark for "center line"...

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:44 pm

Well done on assembling those er......."theme based muzzleloading rifle parts packages " Chuck! Just didn't want to say kit.

All "Kitting" aside...VERY nice indeed!

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:10 am

Thanks guys! Comal Forge, That is my initials and as you know stands for centerline and is my registered trade name in WA state for Centerline Sports and gets me discounts at Brownells and Midway USA.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:28 am

I've had a CVA Kentucky Pistol "parts package" for some 15 years, every once in a while I take it outta the safe and ask myself, "are ya ready?" It was a prize from some shoot andwould likely be worth less after I botched it up!

Chuck, them're mighty fine boomsticks!

OT- Thinking of building an old time Flintlock

OT- Thinking of building an old time Flintlock

Re: OT- Thinking of building an old time Flintlock

Re: OT- Thinking of building an old time Flintlock