My 1st flintlock.

I picked this up at an estate sale today. There are no markings on this rifle at all. If anyone can shed any ligjt as to manufacturer, and recomend a load for it,I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Well hard to tell. What's the words on the lock say, if anything?

 

Nothing on the lock. Nothing on the barrel. I have to measure the bore, it appears to be 45 caliber. Could be a specialty builder, as this is for a lefty.

 

It's a beauty for a lefty.

 

I feel like I stole it, they didnt know if it shoots or not, i gave $40 for it.

 

You should feel that way because you did steal it.

 

I told them I didnt know anything about it, but was certain it was worth more money, their price, i never negotiated down.

 

Nice. Let us know how it shoots.

 

Oldschool shooter

Yeah you're right; you did get an awesome deal on that fine looking flintlock! Even if you just hung it on the wall above your fireplace, you're still way ahead at that price!

 

Thats kind of what I thought, still want to fire it. I almost felt bad buying it at that price. Even after I told them it was probably worth more. They didn't seem to care. Call me stupid, but I wouldn't purposely take advantage of someone like that.

 

For a load, start with one grain of 3f blackpowder per caliber. eg: 45 cal. 45 grains, I have a .45 flinter and use 70 grains of 3f, a .433 ball and a .010 patch, lubed with crisco. 4f for the pan, just a little, you do not want to cover the flash hole.

 

^^^^^^Agree. Good advice.

 

I have a .54 flinter, so my loads aren't helpful. What I have found though, is that its best to resist the temptation to use max loads. I have best accuracy with a mid-range load, which I think is because it tends to burn all of the powder rather than blow it out the barrel.

 

Great! Thanks for the info.

 

I just happen to be left handed and will gladly double your money on it plus pay shipping.

 

And it didn't burn your fingers when you picked it up? Seriously though, I would have bought it for much more and I don't shoot lefty. You got a great deal, and many specialty makers don't put much markings on their guns, maybe something on the underside of the barrel?

 

Ya didn't haggle over the 40 bucks......really ?

 

That's what i'm hoping. Need to check that, just havven't had much time.

 

You did. the lock is worth more than that. Nice find. I always find regular basic guns, way overpriced, at estate sales.

 

Yep the lock is worth probably 4X what you paid for the rifle. Ya did quite well ol' son.

It's a custom build from a person who is new to building long rifles..., OR from what the photo shows the person is new to building rifles from a stock blank.

The butt plate edges for the plate itself should be flush with the stock....in fact the stock from the wrist backwards has a very modern shotgun-ish appearance. The lock mortise was done wrong as well, for if a tail is present (wood from the mortise from the back of the lock to the wrist) it shouldn't really be any longer than the diameter of a nickle and in the shape of a teardrop, and smaller would probably be even better. The shaping around the lock mortise is also a little too square. However from what I can see, the carving, though not from the time period of the embellished long rifles, seems to be rather good, the finish seems very good, (need some close-up shots of the lock) I'd guess a lot of the wood to metal fit is also quite good..., so I'd venture a guess that the builder has done gun stocks for modern guns..., just not for long rifles.

So it wouldn't win any awards at Dixon's Muzzleloader Builders Fair...., So What! The proof in the pudding is in the eating, and the proof of a rifle is in the shooting! If she shoots straight, and is reliable, cosmetics are a secondary concern. Take a deer with her and you'll have no qualms about her appearance. I've seen several rifles that are plain butt-ugly compared to yours, and they shot well; their owners going home with meat and/or ribbons at the local shoots so not to worry. Heck for $40 I'd a bought her if she was made with plain birch and stained purple! And I'm a right handed guy!

OH and if you're a lefty and happened to come across this amazing buy..., also in left-hand..., I'd venture you were meant to have her. Yeah, folks say I'm superstitious about such things, but stuff happens for a reason.

Enjoy and send us photos of your targets when you get a chance.

LD

 

I see what you mean about some of the details. I'm not a lefty, but I couldn't pass it up.

 

Hope the additional photos are helpful.
Thank you, I appreciate that.

 

Be sure to check that it doesn't have a load in it.