The Other Black Rifle...

[Tucson T4R]

Snip......And, Tucson T4R, that's a really special heirloom. You suck.

:xxrotflma Sorry about that. It is fun though. :elkgrin:

I'm watching this thread to see the answers to your questions. I have only been around black powder guns a little and I have a lot to learn.

 

[Lynn]

Ok, so a follow-up to my previous: What kit makers are reliable?

Reason I ask is that when I was a tyke my dad had a kit he had mail-ordered (a small-gauge single-barrel percussion shotgun) and when he got it he was so disappointed with the quality he shoved it in the bottom of the closet and never went back to it. The hammer and nipple were so misaligned there was no real way to make it functional.

 

[jrose609]

Brad, that is a gorgeous piece of history right there!

 

[Tucson T4R]

Brad, that is a gorgeous piece of history right there!

Gracias. I actually significantly reduced the value of the historical piece by cleaning up the metal. I also refurbished the wood finish by hand rubbing about 5 coats fresh linseed oil on it. But since I plan to keep it and enjoy it, I preferred to have it's beauty restored to as close to it's original finish as possible. A true collector would beat me.

 

[grizzlyj]

Lynn, I found this page to be quite informative?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskets

 

[Haggis]

Ok, so a follow-up to my previous: What kit makers are reliable?

Some how I missed your post Lynn, its almost like this section is partitioned off from the forum.

Its been a long time since I bought a kit so my own experiences are a little out of date. But I've built in my younger days and have seen some nice rifles built from CVA Kits and the Cabela Kits, even these basic kits can be turned into nice rifles if you take your time and pay attention. Over the years I've been building my rifles by shaping my own stocks from flitches I've hoarded from my lumberman days (I still have a couple of curly cherry and maple blanks stored) and then procuring the hardware from suppliers like Dixie Mountain Gun Works. I'm a fan of the Green Mountain barrels and have used them on most of my builds. I like a browned barrel over a blued one and though browning (basically a controlled rusting) a barrel is a little more involved I think it lends an air of history to a rifle.

As far as muskets are concerned I've always understood them to be smooth bored and once a rifle barrel is introduced they become a rifle, The term musket stuck with the military front loaders as that's what they were always called unto the breech loaders and rolling block rifles were introduced and they were solidly rifles by then.

 

[Haggis]

That is a fine rifle Tuscon. I like that you use it..old rifles and old cars should be used for what they were made for and not just be hidden away.

 

[007]

I'm looking at getting a kit, (.54 flint) anyone familiar with the Lyman Rifles?

http://www.lymanproducts.com/store/page37.html

 

[Dave Bennett]

My only black powder rifle is an 1863 Springfield .58 cal. This was handed down in my family and we still target shoot with it occasionally. Mucho fun. :elkgrin:

:drool: :bowdown:

 

[DaveInDenver]

Gracias. I actually significantly reduced the value of the historical piece by cleaning up the metal. I also refurbished the wood finish by hand rubbing about 5 coats fresh linseed oil on it. But since I plan to keep it and enjoy it, I preferred to have it's beauty restored to as close to it's original finish as possible. A true collector would beat me.

That's a beauty!

I would probably not have cleaned off the patina. It's not so much about the value for me but the history. All the years of wear patterns and markings are part of its story. If I wanted a bright, cherry, flawless firearm I would buy a new one. But it's an individual thing, how much to clean and polish and change. I have my doubts it would have looked that perfect originally very long, anyway.

Regardless, that really is cool.

 

[Tucson T4R]

That's a beauty!

I would probably not have cleaned off the patina. It's not so much about the value for me but the history. All the years of wear patterns and markings are part of its story. If I wanted a bright, cherry, flawless firearm I would buy a new one. But it's an individual thing, how much to clean and polish and change. I have my doubts it would have looked that perfect originally very long, anyway.

Regardless, that really is cool.

Thanks. I probably would have left it alone but my Father had improperly stored it in the garage for years with the stock and barrel taken apart and taped together. It was a sad sight to behold and the rust on the metal was far beyond an attractive patina. At least I didn't do any sanding or staining of the wood. I only hand rubbed it with linseed oil so it still has all it's character marks and worn areas.

The best part is shooting it. I was amazed how accurate it is. Off a bench you can easily keep a 6 inch pattern at 100 yards if you are careful consistently measuring your loads.