New rifle ideas

I sold the 45 poor boy,

Looking at designs and ideas for a replacement rifle,

My builder is suggesting what he calls a transitional rifle. 54 cal 40” swamp barrel with rd ball twist . full length Maple stock , iron trigger guard etc. I like the simple rifles. Probably will go with a antique finish.

Primary use will be deer hunting in the hills of Tennessee.

The one odd ball thing I am thinking about adding is threads to add a skinner peep sight if I ever choose too and possible sling studs.


I’d like to hear some suggestions and points of thoughts to consider,

This is likely A once in a life time build , cost is going to be around $1000.

I want to make sure I am thinking about everything I need to consider.

Are you interested in a period? Personaly I think a Tennessee style poor boy is one of the most beautiful rifle styles there is. While an American jagar/ transitional style is over the top cool looking sexy rifle. The Hines riflestyle with a 38 inch barrel sliding wood patch box is a shining gun.
Should you not want to hunt anything bigger then deer a .45 or.50 with a slim barrel will do all the work you need, be light and easy to carry and point. How ever what you need takes a second third or forthplace behind what you want. Pretty much any shoulder gun will do the job you want as long as the caliber is at lest as big as your state requires. The only difference between a GPR inflint and a bench copy of a flint lock rifemade before 1830 is the cost and looks and what you want.

The only thing I can think of is make sure he is using quality parts. $1000 is hardly more than a decent set of parts, nothing worse than a lock that doesn't work right.

Hi,
For $1000 have him build you a Kibler early Colonial rifle kit. Transition rifle means early (pre Rev War) and there are no surviving examples mounted in iron or steel, only brass. Look at the Gun Builder's Bench section for examples of Kibler's guns.

dave

Fullstock Hawken Flintlock.

HH

When Jake Hawken and his dad was building flintlock they were the Tennessee and Maryland style. The later ‘Hawken’style guns were all made percussion.
It’s going to be your gun and you can have what you want.
I vary much doubt that any buyer in 1750 told his rifle maker he wanted ‘x’ length barrel, brass mounted and of this caliber. Nor would I doubt that if a customer asked Jake and Sam to make. Flintlock they would have turned him down.
Your spending your money. However inthe end do you want a gun that is ‘sorta right’. When I built my SMR I did so with a German style lock. That’s not a style lock used on those Style guns. When I learned that I first defended it as a ‘could have’,or ‘they recycled old parts’. Something that’s true, but it has mocked me for years.

Great thoughts guys.

I want something that is not oddly out of place but doesn’t have to be 100% hardcore authentic either. The builder has a rifle another builder built for him as a retirement gift. It was presented as a transitional rifle, I liked the looks and feel Of it, however it did have brass . It was my idea to do iron instead because I prefer the look of it. If I can get a pic of rifle I’ll post it.

As of now here’s my list of wants:
(some or all these request may be in conflict with one another, as I am like a kid searching for his ball lost in high grass)

Semi period correct
Flintlock
54 cal.
Full stock
No brass
Swamp barrel with rd ball twist
40” overall length
As slim and sleek as possible
No check rest , as a shoot with either hand often.

Main purpose is:
Deer hunting to 100 yards.
Hopefully lord willing someday pig, bear and elk hunting
And of course the cool factor of such a rifle.

Feel free to correct me or point me into a different direction. Once the builder begins it’s to late to have a change of heart. He’s a good friend of mine and I have seen several rifles he has built. He is graciously Working with me though the process and we plan to meet around Christmas to discuss the details.

I trust yalls advice and it’s much appreciate. God bless

Do you mean transitional as far as Jeager turning into longrifle? That's what I have, and love, and would not part with. It's not "slim as possible" but it's not chunky or a pig either. It weighs in at 8.25#, which for me is just right. But I like Jeagers. Actually I love them all. Seems like for the ideal, keep forever rifle, around $1600.00 might be more normal. ?? Otherwise, you builder must be a VERY good friend. And nothing wrong with that. Luck for you.

That’s actually exactly What he said it was, thanks Rat.

He told me it would be a $2000 gun.

dave_person said:

Hi,
For $1000 have him build you a Kibler early Colonial rifle kit. Transition rifle means early (pre Rev War) and there are no surviving examples mounted in iron or steel, only brass. Look at the Gun Builder's Bench section for examples of Kibler's guns.

dave

Click to expand...

Absolutely agree, I'll be receiving a SMR kit this week from Kibler. Hands down you will not find a better deal than what Jim offers. Excellent advice Dave!

Hi,
Actually Boker, since you want steel, no cheek piece, and slim, I suggest the ideal gun is a rifle styled like an English fowler. The examples below are smooth bored but they could easily have rifled barrels.




dave

dave_person said:

For $1000 have him build you a Kibler early Colonial rifle kit. Transition rifle means early (pre Rev War) and there are no surviving examples mounted in iron or steel, only brass. Look at the Gun Builder's Bench section for examples of Kibler's guns.

Click to expand...

I agree with Mr. Person. That's what I'd do..., probably have him finish it assembled in-the-white, and then finish the wood myself.

LD

Geez Dave, in my memory, when someone referred to me as "Mr. Person" it was followed by a whack on my behind with a wooden spoon but I thank you for the endorsement. Boker, for an historical perspective, the great London gun makers, John Hirst and John Twigg made rifled officer's fusils that look very much like the second fowler I show above. In addition, there is southern made rifle #119 in George Shumway's "Rifles in Clonial America". That gun would look just fine without a cheek piece.
dave

I second Dave Person's suggestion of a fowler type gun with a rifled barrel to match your criteria.

Another reason for this type gun is with your desire to shoot right or left handed, the flatter butt plate is going to be easier to much easier to shoot from either side AND in different hunting/shooting positions, than a really curved butt plate as on SMR's.

You might want to check out Chamber's Pennsylvania Fowler Kit and see if Jim can provide it with the 40 inch barrel you asked about. It is already available with steel furniture, as well.

http://www.flintlocks.com/rifles03.htm

Gus

You might consider a Henry English pattern rifle. Nice slim full stock rifle, though mine has a 36” barrel which is correct and I prefer. Iron mounted, nice drop at comb, less than some other styles.

Thanks guys.

In my experience the C weight 38" .54cal. barrel makes the best handling rifles I have ever owned. It is light, easy to carry, and well balanced. A B weight 38" .50 might also be fine. The Kibler rifles have 44" barrels for a more historic look. The 44" wouldn't be my first choice. $1000 is just a little more than parts cost for most custom rifles. Is he quoting parts plus $1000 or the total price?

Unfortunately due to unseen Expenses I may not get to do the gun right away

Talked to my builder friend today. I am leaning towards a smooth bore rifle

I agree with tenngun on the beauty of the SMR. To my mind only a jaeger or Christian Springs rifle can match them.