Hatfield, Frontier or Deer Ridge Pedersoli?

Something like 6 years ago I came across a rifle being sold as "Pedersoli Kentucky smoothbore flintlock" Before I bought it, I thought I had ID'd it as a Pedersoli Frontier. It was in very good shape for an old rifle so I took a chance. It is not a smooth bore. Then a couple years ago a friend bought a Deer Ridge which looked just like my rifle with a few minor differences. Last spring while I was shooting at a rendezvous, I was asked if it was a Hatfield. So when I got home I looked up Hatfield and found another picture of my rifle. So my question is how can I tell the difference between a Pedersoli Frontier and a Hatfield?

The Hatfield barrel will most likely have "Hatfield" stamped somewhere on the barrel. Barring that, look for other clues. The Pedersoli will be so marked. Remove the barrel and check it.

The Pedersoli Frontier rifle Is sold by Cabela’s as the “Blue Ridge” rifle. The Pedersoli uses the pattern from the old Hatfield rifle, which is why they are so similar. If it was made by Pedersoli, the barrel will be marked as such.

Actually the Hatfield company toward the end of their run had The Frontier made with some added improvements, and had their name stamped on the barrel. I'm pretty sure that no 19th century ML rifles would've used ramrod thimbles for washers to hold the barrel in place, and I think a wood screw through the lock plate to help hold the lock in place (found on many Pedersoli's not just the Frontier) wasn't a 19th century thing either. :wink:

If you have the coin, you can contract with Pedersoli to modify one of their models to your specs for a specific run of X number of rifles or guns, and have your company name stamped on it as well. Dixie Gun Works (iirc) had Japanese Bess marked with their name, and (iirc) so did Navy Arms..., or did Navy Arms get their names on a Pedersoli Bess?

:idunno:

LD

WHEN I WIN THE LOTTERY (not if, ya gotta believe!) will do just that! I am sure all my clients would love one. And of course most of you fellows (and fellowettes) will get one too. Now the hard part....what model and caliber? :hmm: I'm currently leaning towards a .40 Hawkin style. Suggestions?

Actually, I was going to do something like offer a kit with my lottery winnings, only like the "kits" of the 80's where all you have to do is polish the metal and sand and stain and finish the stock and you'd have a right handed, flintlock, .54 with a swamped 42" barrel. Pretty much what Jim Kibler is already doing, but mine would have basic brass furniture and be in .54 only, to keep costs down. Chambers, Large Siler lock. A Concept Rifle, theorizing what the rifles sold on the frontier in Kaskaskia at George Morgan's store might have looked like...though maybe I'd need swamped 38" barrels (?) .

LD

It is marked "Pedersoli"

I will look under the barrel for additional marks.

My understanding is that near the end of their run, Hatfield had the barrel made by Pedersoli, then draw filed the "Pedersoli" from the barrels. You can see the faint marks left by the filing.
Ron