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Cossack Rifle by Steve Krolick

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Joined
Sep 25, 2006
Messages
365
Reaction score
813
Location
PA
Last week I saw this rifle on Lodgewood Manufacturing's website and decided to grab it because it's so unique. It was brought to my attention by forum member Cyten in another thread. I ordered it last Tuesday and it arrived Wednesday, after shipping out last Friday.

cossack-rifle-right.jpg


cossack-rifle-left.jpg



It's a replica of 19th Century Cossack rifles. Stylistically, Cossack rifles were heavily influenced by rifles from the Ottoman Empire and the Caucasus (e.g., Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan). Cossack rifles tended to be plainer while those from the other regions were usually very ornately decorated.

This rifle was built by Steve Krolick. According to Lodgewood, it may be the first replica of a gun made in the US from that region. I've certainly never seen another.

Specs of the rifle:

The barrel was rifled by Bobby Hoyt with 3 grooves, .577 groove diameter, 1:78" twist. The barrel is 37.5" from muzzle to where it joins the breech. It is held in place with four brass bands. The diameter is 0.8" at the muzzle.

According to Lodgewood, many originals were rebored to shoot Minie balls for the Crimean War and this rifle was built to reflect that.

The lock is an L&R flintlock, marked "TULA 1802". It's secured with two screws. There is no sideplate.

l-n-r-lock.jpg


lockwork.jpg


The stock is walnut with artificial striping. The buttplate is made from ebony with a rosewood spacer and secure with two screws. It's fitted with two sling loops.

butt.jpg


For sights there is a brass half moon front sight soldered or brazed to the barrel with an open rear sight located between the breech and tang.

muzzle.jpg



rear-sight.jpg


The ramrod is slightly tapered wood, fitted at the muzzle end with a unique brass tip hollowed out for the bullet and which is usable as a cleaning jag. The other end is plain. I might fit that end with a plain brass tip threaded for accessories.

ramrod-tip.jpg


As expected the rifle is muzzle heavy but it balances nicely in the hand at the lower barrel band.

The overall length is 54" and the weight is 8.4 lbs. Lodgewood recommended a load with a .575" Minie ball and 40 grains of FFg black powder. By comparison, the US service load for .58 rifle muskets during the Civil War was 60 grains of Fg or FFg under a Minie ball. I intend to try it with both Minies and patched round balls.

I hope to be able to shoot it this weekend.
 
glad to see you got it! Im curious about the brass topstrap at the breech, what function does it serve? I've not seen something like this before, stylistic or not.

Now you're gonna need to get the whole outfit!
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WOW!! that photo says- COMMON BUDDY, BRING IT ON!!! if you got the TESTES!? two single shots & one revolver & a sticker.!! don't leave home with out them!
 
Did I already say it's COOL?? Love the brass/barrel combination and the slight engraving on the barrel bands.
I checked it out @ Lodgewood Mfg. and for what it was priced at, you did good. :thumb:
The looks alone would make it a true "attention getter" on the wall, over the mantel or even under glass!
OR, at the RANGE!! ;)
I can see LOTS of "show and tell" when You and that piece shows up.:D
 
glad to see you got it! Im curious about the brass topstrap at the breech, what function does it serve? I've not seen something like this before, stylistic or not.

Now you're gonna need to get the whole outfit!
View attachment 152671
A word of warning, try to avoid Ukrainian girlfriends.......
 
Congratulations. Very cool rifle. Looks like the builder did a nice job. Interesting barrel with rifling for mini balls, but with a slightly slower twist. Cool looking ramrod tip. This should be a fun rifle to shoot, and an interesting conversation piece. What is the LOP ?

Rick
 
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