I joined this awesome band of brothers (and sisters) in July but neglected to introduce myself (How rude is that?). Anyway, be here now. I'm Fred from midcoast Maine. I bought my present house from the estate of my childhood hero, Jack (a gunner, blacksmith, silversmith, woodworker and all round great guy). His brother was supposed to leave the short land pattern Brown Bess hanging on the attic wall but forgot. So I bought a Pedersoli Charleville this summer and decided to give it a try. Then I joined this motley band of aficionados and never looked back. In addition to my musket, I have several percussion Colt clones and family treasures from the late 1800's through the late 1980's. In my opinion, steel, walnut, maple and brass make guns, not plastic, polymers, and Polly-wants-a-crackers.