School me on Flintlock Rifles

[zxcvbnm]

After purchasing a few modern rifles, I have ended up wanting an original flintlock rifle for my collection. I am especially interested in something that may have helped win our independence, or at least as close as I can get to that time. I do not plan on ever shooting the rifle, but plan to keep it in a safe or keep it as a collectors item.

So where do I start? I've seen some Harper's Ferry rifles, but I guess I'm ultimately looking for something like a Springfield. Are there any IPs or stores in MD that keep an inventory of old rifles? Any good websites to visit?

 

[iH8DemLibz]

There's a guy that has/had a store in Harpers Ferry. Can't recall the name. Been about five years since I was in there.

If he doesn't have something on his walls, he'd know where to send you.

Try Cherry's Guns in Greensboro, North Carolina too.

Good luck.

 

[K31]

If you want something used to win our independence,Charleville musket.

 

[iH8DemLibz]

The Charleville is a blast to shoot.

Got my replica 1766, made by Pedersoli, from Cherry's.

OP, Get a gun you can shoot. Cuzz black powder be fun.

 

[Doco Overboard]

Go to the Kempton gunmakers fair in northern Berks Co. or see the Dixons web page or DGW

 

[ca18thc]

Hi, I picked up this Harpers Ferry model 1795 flintlock from Jim Prentice at the Baltimore Antique Arms Show this past March. Jim's father was the superintendent at Harper's Ferry and he grew up there. The lock plate is dated 1809. The gun is in great original condition, If you are looking for an American musket both the 1795 Harper's Ferry or Sprinfield are great choices. They were the first military muskets manufactured in the USA. I was drawn to the Harper's Ferry because I lived in West Virginia for fourteen years and love the area.

Jim has an interesting website at Harpersferryarmoryguns.com

 

[Doco Overboard]

Nice musket, I have read that the committee of safety muskets from Massachusetts in 1774 were the first manufactured arms that were produced to prepare for the upcoming revolution but we were still just colonies at that time. Yours is part of the US musket contract of 1808 made at Harper's Ferry, which is later than the U.S. musket, model 1795 produced by Springfield if my literature is correct.

 

[ca18thc]

Thanks for your thoughts, I had my musket evaluated by Harper's Ferry and they confirmed Jim Prentice's identification. According to Harper's Ferry, my musket is a model 1795. The model 1795 was produced at Harper's Ferry through 1818.

 

[zxcvbnm]

Hi, I picked up this Harpers Ferry model 1795 flintlock from Jim Prentice at the Baltimore Antique Arms Show this past March. Jim's father was the superintendent at Harper's Ferry and he grew up there. The lock plate is dated 1809. The gun is in great original condition, If you are looking for an American musket both the 1795 Harper's Ferry or Sprinfield are great choices. They were the first military muskets manufactured in the USA. I was drawn to the Harper's Ferry because I lived in West Virginia for fourteen years and love the area.

Jim has an interesting website at Harpersferryarmoryguns.com

Thank you for the thorough response. If you don't mind me asking, how much did this rifle cost you? If you'd prefer you can PM me. This type of rifle is pretty much what I am looking for.

 

[zxcvbnm]

If you want something used to win our independence,Charleville musket.

Starting to look into this as well! Thanks! I may try to get an original and a reproduction - one to shoot and one for the safe.

 

[ca18thc]

Thank you for the thorough response. If you don't mind me asking, how much did this rifle cost you? If you'd prefer you can PM me. This type of rifle is pretty much what I am looking for.

PM sent

 

[Doco Overboard]

Thanks for your thoughts, I had my musket evaluated by Harper's Ferry and they confirmed Jim Prentice's identification. According to Harper's Ferry, my musket is a model 1795. The model 1795 was produced at Harper's Ferry through 1818.

Did he say when construction was started on the armory? 1799 according to the National Historic Register. Alot of muskets were built there with examples provided by Springfield. The next model built there was the US flintlock musket model 1812 the left side of the stock has a cheek recess if made at Springfield which distinguishes it from the Harper's Ferry that was modeled into three patterns each having different characteristics of the bands.
https://www.nps.gov/hafe/learn/historyculture/harpers-ferry-armory-and-arsenal.htm

 

[ca18thc]

Did he say when construction was started on the armory? 1799 according to the National Historic Register. Alot of muskets were built there with examples provided by Springfield. The next model built there was the US flintlock musket model 1812 the left side of the stock has a cheek recess if made at Springfield which distinguishes it from the Harper's Ferry that was modeled into three patterns each having different characteristics of the bands.
https://www.nps.gov/hafe/learn/historyculture/harpers-ferry-armory-and-arsenal.htm

George Washington selected Harpers Ferry Virginia, for the location of the Harpers Ferry National Armory. in 1799, construction began. Three years later they started production of muskets.

 

[Doco Overboard]

Thats a beautiful musket and sure one to be proud of and I wouldn't give it up for anything. Thanks for posting pictures. Rarely are such examples found that the owners are willing to share their treasures with others on a public forum where they can be examined for all to see. Brian

 

[ca18thc]

Thats a beautiful musket and sure one to be proud of and I wouldn't give it up for anything. Thanks for posting pictures. Rarely are such examples found that the owners are willing to share their treasures with others on a public forum where they can be examined for all to see. Brian

Thank you Brain. My wife and I have been collecting antiques from the 1700s and early 1800s for many years. I feel that it is more about stewardship than ownership when caring for these pieces of history. Hopefully our ancestors will still be enjoying them 200 years from now. The musket is much more impressive in person than in photos. I am happy you enjoyed seeing them. Steve

 

[Blacksmith101]

You will occasionally see originals for sale at Track Of The Wolf, they also carry reproductions and all the parts needed to make one. Lots of beautiful pictures.
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/list/Item.aspx/487/1

Another source is Dixie Gun Works.
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/default.php?cPath=22_92_186_190

You just missed Dixon's Gun Fair, end of July, but there is always next year. A trip to Dixon's is always an education.
http://www.dixonmuzzleloading.com/

 

[Mike OTDP]

For original arms, the Baltimore antique arms show is hard to beat.

 

[54rndball]

This book is very useful for learning how to shoot flintlocks and everything else:

https://nmlrashop-org.3dcartstores....uide-for-their-Use-and-Appreciation-_p_1.html

 

[BenL]

Very interested in this. For some inexplicable reason, I want to build a double barrel flintlock.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Pedersoli has a double flint shotgun coming out. I've seen the prototype.