[4v50 Gary]

Anyone got one? I'd like to see their ad for their trade gun.

I recently got one and it's the gawd dang ugliest flintlock you would ever want to see. It's got a backaction type mechanism along with a regular flintlock frizzen. The darn lockplate is about 8 3/8" long. Talk about ugly. Even 'Bess is pretty by comparison.

[Ross]

4v50 Gary,
I just copied (poorly) from my 1960 copy. I can fax or snail-mail it to you.
I have only seen a few of these beasts, but concur with your evaluation of their æsthetics.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

[4v50 Gary]

Thanks Ross! :D Check you PM.

[Ross]

Gary,
The envelope is sealed. I'll journey to the federal building later this morning to post it.
Cheers from Oroville,
Ross

[4v50 Gary]

Thanks to Ross I've the ad for the peculiar flintlock. It's Stoeger Model 6494 with the lock from the Stoeger Model 6475.

"The flintlock guns shown on this and the following page are all made with really antique locks from the Napoleonic Wars. These guns have new stocks and barrels and are primarily for use by natives where colonial governments allow nothing else. All pieces are in servicable condition and aside from their practical use, they are highly ornamental and decorative. No more suitable an adornment can grace an open fireplace, a sportsman's den, lodge or camp. Because most are individual pieces, we cannot guarantee that guns shipped will more than closely approximate the specifications and descriptions shown."

You must give credit to whoever wrote the ad. He must have received an "A" in their creative writing course. :D My really "antique lock from the Napoleonic Wars" looks hobbled together from cast off parts from several guns. As to decorative, well, it can do that much.

There is another disclaimer: Because of the variations in bore diamters we do not recommend these guns for ball and will not undertake to supply round ball moulds for them.

Now that's a lot of confidence in your product. :p

Mine is actually a hybrid. It has the most of the features of the 6494 except the lock. The description for the 6494 Elephant Flintlock reads: "This is the model which is still used extensively today against dangerous game by natives of the Belgian Congo. It is a 4 gauge with 34 inch barrel and weighs about 9 lbs. 14 ozs. This model is a fine addtion to any collection." Yeah.

I'm going to have to take this to the range and load it with powder and rocks and shoot some wood penguins I founds. :D I'm glad I didn't have it as a kid.