Ive been helping my 9yo daughter with her social studies project on Lewis & Clark. Its amazing what these guys accomplished and went thru. All this got me interested in actually getting a flint lock. I could go the cheap Italian route but then I noticed that track of wolfs has a kit for the 1803. Anyone build one of these kits? Any other good kits from other outfits? I'm not a gunsmith but I wouldn't mind taking on a project and learning something new.
Harper's Ferry1803
- Thread starter ottsm
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44 Dave
Member
Check this post.
TOW Bucks County Rifle Kit Update #17
duelist1954
TOW Bucks County Rifle Kit Update #17
duelist1954
Steel Horse Rider
Member
I bought a Pedersoli Harpers Ferry 1807 flint pistol kit from Dixie Gun Works last year. Unfortunately Pedersoli does not make an 1803 kit. I have built 3 Pedersoli kits to date and if you have basic woodworking tools and skills you can finish one of their kits. The instructions are not that great but it is pretty easy to figure out what you need to do and they are not nearly as involved as those posted by Duelist1954. I would recommend starting with a pistol kit as it is easier than a rifle due simply to the reduced size. Be careful though, once you start it is hard to stop.
I've built an 1803 from TOW parts.
If you have never built a rifle from parts, here are a few things you should know.
First, all of the inlets will need work for the parts to fit in them. You will have to cut dovetails for the sights and under lug. You will have to fasten the ram rod pipes to the under rib and fasten the under rib to the barrel. All of the metal parts are rough and will need to be filed and sanded.
An 1803 is not the best project for a first time build.
SC45-70
If you have never built a rifle from parts, here are a few things you should know.
First, all of the inlets will need work for the parts to fit in them. You will have to cut dovetails for the sights and under lug. You will have to fasten the ram rod pipes to the under rib and fasten the under rib to the barrel. All of the metal parts are rough and will need to be filed and sanded.
An 1803 is not the best project for a first time build.
SC45-70
I have an old Zoli 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle, from back when they were cut for the .58 PRB. When I got it, the stock was cracked at the wrist. I carved a new stock for it. If you decide against a kit, there are still 1803s available.
Also, there is some controversy on whether L&C actually had 1803s or an earlier rifle. Regardless, I like my 1803.
Also, there is some controversy on whether L&C actually had 1803s or an earlier rifle. Regardless, I like my 1803.
I also read about the fact the 1803 came a little late for Lewis. Some believe it was the short version of the 1792-1794 US. Others believe that it could have been a prototype of the 1803. Unless we find some lost records we will probably never know. I tend to believe it was the 1792-1794 short US but the 1803 sort of marks the time period better and the idea of a prototype is possible.
Loyalist Dave
Member
Well as far as the United States Army is concerned, the rifles taken with the Corps of Discovery were shortened 1792 rifles, rebored (probably to .54).
Some folks try to argue that parts interchangability was an issue, but Eli Whitney didn't deliver his alleged interchangeable parts guns until about 1809... and what we today consider interchangability didn't happen in a military musket or rifle until around the 1840's (iirc). Some folks try to argue that although the specifications for the 1803 rifles weren't put into writing until May of 1803, the locks were available several months prior to that date, and that these were fitted to the older 1792 rifles... which makes no sense unless you are going with the debunked "interchangablility" argument.
Plus folks often discount that the Corps of Discovery was going to jump off the known map... yet they think a brand new, unproved rifle, of an unfamiliar design, would be the choice that was made instead of the rifle that the soldiers of the expedition had either used or at least had seen in use for nearly a decade.
I'd go with a straight barreled 1792 with a 1:66 twist and a 33" barrel, in .54. If it's slower twist I'd go with 36" barrel.
LD
Some folks try to argue that parts interchangability was an issue, but Eli Whitney didn't deliver his alleged interchangeable parts guns until about 1809... and what we today consider interchangability didn't happen in a military musket or rifle until around the 1840's (iirc). Some folks try to argue that although the specifications for the 1803 rifles weren't put into writing until May of 1803, the locks were available several months prior to that date, and that these were fitted to the older 1792 rifles... which makes no sense unless you are going with the debunked "interchangablility" argument.
Plus folks often discount that the Corps of Discovery was going to jump off the known map... yet they think a brand new, unproved rifle, of an unfamiliar design, would be the choice that was made instead of the rifle that the soldiers of the expedition had either used or at least had seen in use for nearly a decade.
I'd go with a straight barreled 1792 with a 1:66 twist and a 33" barrel, in .54. If it's slower twist I'd go with 36" barrel.
LD
MattShlock
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I don't know if it is the Army or NPS Dave... There were an extra 15 1803 rifles, the number of rifles sent to The Corp in St. Louis, that had to be made to meet the initial inventory required at Harper's Ferry. Why? There's no such thing as coincidence. Seems likely they used these .54's on the trip West. And then there were two barrel bursts, right, that seemed to plague the 1803's... I think there is an argument for both but tradition has it they were 1803's as well.
As for true interchangeable parts... That was John Hall's Harper's Ferry Breech Loading rifle, and between Harper's Ferry and Springfield armory twas the 1842 Percussion Musket.
As for true interchangeable parts... That was John Hall's Harper's Ferry Breech Loading rifle, and between Harper's Ferry and Springfield armory twas the 1842 Percussion Musket.
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