So after some thoughts I decided my gun collection definitely has to include a long barrel smoothbore flintlock and I need a break from my double barrel Kodiak project If you're not interested in how I ended up choosing that particular maker and model feel free to skip to the end where I get to the point of why I'm starting this thread.
Regarding reasons for this particular make and model. I start pretty far from it by saying I like the look and handling of a typical English fowling gun (20ga).
So I started my search there. However, here in Europe(Poland) we have a peculiar black powder gun-market situation where one usually has a choice of:
- locally buying a Pedersoli made gun(for the average price around $1200 - up to $2k depending on model)
- locally buying an Indian made repro one of local distributors guarantees the quality of (for half the price of a Pedersoli)
- importing a gun or a kit from US (track of the Wolf etc, one has to add $200~$250 for shipping and around $35% on top taxes, plus if it is a complete gun possibly extra $250 for US gun export filling - altogether probably at least 20% more than a Pedersoli)
- final option getting an original somewhere in EU. Unfortunately now that UK is out of EU the best vintage gun market we used to have easy access to is now more difficult... I imported few originals from UK back when they were in EU. It was great. If now UK requires full export procedure this will double the cost of many vintage guns :-(. Please don't take this as an invite to discuss politics here - I'm just describing the situation on the market not making a value judgement etc.
So having those choices I was initially drawn to the Indian repros as they looked fine on pictures (and I could improve them) plus they are guaranteed(proofed in Italy or Germany) by a reputable local distributor. However, I found out they make their stocks from Teak wood which is alleged to be significantly heavier and I heard their barrels are usually thicker and heavier than alternatives. So I decided against them.
I looked at some Pedersolis like their Indian trade gun (almost $1000 for a very plain, but well balanced gun). It also seems an almost exactly copy of their Frontier rifle just with a smooth bore barrel. I already have a Frontier, it is one of my favourite rifles, but it makes little sense to buy another of the same gun in smoothbore for $1k.
Eventually I realised I will have to spend upwards of $1k if I want quality. So I looked towards military muskets which if could be had at the same price seem more bang for my buck than a plain fowler(literally in this case). I very much like the look of muskets like the Charleville too. I originally didn't even consider them as they start at $1500(Pedersoli), but a kit version of the gun showed up at my local distributor's for exactly 1k. So I made the order and I'm waiting for the gun.
I have many Pedersoli made guns (but this is my first kit of theirs) so I'm not really worried about the quality. I read online someone had a flintlock of theirs that chewed through flints, but my Frontier flinter is very good in this regard. Standard English flint lasts if my memory serves me right around 40-50 shots. So if this new lock is as good I'll be very happy.
I also refinished few stocks with boiled linseed oil so I'm confident there.
A bit of info for people who never saw a Pedersoli kit. It is a kit in the same sense IKEA furniture are kits. The wood is drilled and inletted. Metal castings are cleaned up - they just require polishing. The lock is put together in the factory and ready to drop into the gun... It is a gun one could put together in an afternoon and go shoot it.
I'm starting this thread to review the kit, document the process and to get tips from other people on best ways to finish the gun.
It is a musket that normally is finished "in the bright". So the correct way would probably be polishing the metal and sealing it with boiled linseed oil same as wood to protect from corrosion. If anyone has a better period correct idea I would very much like to hear it.
My kit arrives in 4-5 days. I'll post some photos when it arrives.
Regarding reasons for this particular make and model. I start pretty far from it by saying I like the look and handling of a typical English fowling gun (20ga).
So I started my search there. However, here in Europe(Poland) we have a peculiar black powder gun-market situation where one usually has a choice of:
- locally buying a Pedersoli made gun(for the average price around $1200 - up to $2k depending on model)
- locally buying an Indian made repro one of local distributors guarantees the quality of (for half the price of a Pedersoli)
- importing a gun or a kit from US (track of the Wolf etc, one has to add $200~$250 for shipping and around $35% on top taxes, plus if it is a complete gun possibly extra $250 for US gun export filling - altogether probably at least 20% more than a Pedersoli)
- final option getting an original somewhere in EU. Unfortunately now that UK is out of EU the best vintage gun market we used to have easy access to is now more difficult... I imported few originals from UK back when they were in EU. It was great. If now UK requires full export procedure this will double the cost of many vintage guns :-(. Please don't take this as an invite to discuss politics here - I'm just describing the situation on the market not making a value judgement etc.
So having those choices I was initially drawn to the Indian repros as they looked fine on pictures (and I could improve them) plus they are guaranteed(proofed in Italy or Germany) by a reputable local distributor. However, I found out they make their stocks from Teak wood which is alleged to be significantly heavier and I heard their barrels are usually thicker and heavier than alternatives. So I decided against them.
I looked at some Pedersolis like their Indian trade gun (almost $1000 for a very plain, but well balanced gun). It also seems an almost exactly copy of their Frontier rifle just with a smooth bore barrel. I already have a Frontier, it is one of my favourite rifles, but it makes little sense to buy another of the same gun in smoothbore for $1k.
Eventually I realised I will have to spend upwards of $1k if I want quality. So I looked towards military muskets which if could be had at the same price seem more bang for my buck than a plain fowler(literally in this case). I very much like the look of muskets like the Charleville too. I originally didn't even consider them as they start at $1500(Pedersoli), but a kit version of the gun showed up at my local distributor's for exactly 1k. So I made the order and I'm waiting for the gun.
I have many Pedersoli made guns (but this is my first kit of theirs) so I'm not really worried about the quality. I read online someone had a flintlock of theirs that chewed through flints, but my Frontier flinter is very good in this regard. Standard English flint lasts if my memory serves me right around 40-50 shots. So if this new lock is as good I'll be very happy.
I also refinished few stocks with boiled linseed oil so I'm confident there.
A bit of info for people who never saw a Pedersoli kit. It is a kit in the same sense IKEA furniture are kits. The wood is drilled and inletted. Metal castings are cleaned up - they just require polishing. The lock is put together in the factory and ready to drop into the gun... It is a gun one could put together in an afternoon and go shoot it.
I'm starting this thread to review the kit, document the process and to get tips from other people on best ways to finish the gun.
It is a musket that normally is finished "in the bright". So the correct way would probably be polishing the metal and sealing it with boiled linseed oil same as wood to protect from corrosion. If anyone has a better period correct idea I would very much like to hear it.
My kit arrives in 4-5 days. I'll post some photos when it arrives.