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Granddaddy of Production Muzzleloaders?

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The only brands I ever saw in gun shops and stores were CVA and TC here in upstate NY. Once in a great while you might see something from Investarms (cabela's).
 
For the Spanish-made guns, the Spanish MZL firms Mendi and Jukar merged in 1980 and was then called Dikar, who I believe is now owned by Bergara.

US makers I see "missed" are Mowrey, Hatfield, and thefirm of Austin&Halleck.
 
Kormann. The first modern production rifle I bought was a Navy Arms many years after the Kormann.
 
I'm talking about guns that have generally been sold "over the counter" and not semi-production special order types. The one, or ones, that have or had the greatest influence in getting the public into shooting and/or hunting with firearms of "primitive" function.

Manufacturers that come to mind;

Thomson Center
Lyman
Navy Arms
Dixie Gunworks
Uberti
Hatfield
Numrich
Parker Hale
And a host of others

So, "Who's your Granddaddy?"

Oh, my pick is Thompson Center's Hawken model figuring volume sold and the fact is was my first.
Navy Arms really started the whole repro thing off about 1960 on cusp of the CW Centennial. I'd say TC for the hunting crowd, and Dixie is not really a mfgr. but an importer and seller. Hatfield very limited to niche crowd, Numrich also limited, and P-H another great but niche product. Love 'em all, anyway! Good thread.
 
How I wanted a .45 caliber Hopkins & Allen Minuteman long rifle, flintlock with gain twist rifling, when I was a kid. Years later, I got a flintlock .50 caliber Dixie Tennessee Mountain Rifle kit and put it together. I still have that one.
I know what you mean. I love my Dixie Tennessee Mountain Rifles
 
The cheap Belgian guns Turner Kirkland sold at Dixie Gunworks. And the similar quality Hopkins & Allens Numrich sold and the underhammers too.
Turner Kirkland .45
 

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!970.........My first "long rifle' , well , kind of , was an almost new , percussion , Spanish FIE , that had been used to fire salutes , 'til it would fire no more. The unknowing store clerk , smiled and shook his head at the $35 price tag . I checked the bore with a ramrod insertion , and the tip came out with unburnt FFG powder on it. A flashlight check showed perfect rifling down to the level of the unburnt powder. I figured , cheap toy , and it was a "Longrifle".Over night , I soaked the ash , and unburnt powder from the rifled bore. Now the ramrod went all the way to the breech . Went to the range to try her , and see what the Spaniard would do.
Put a mark at 25 yds.. One shot , on target , and we went out to 50 yds.. A nice 3 shot group , on target. I was the only shooter at the range , just looking for some mischief to do next. Out at 100 yds. , was a stationary running deer target. Stoked the Spaniard up again , took a good rest , the percussion gun fired flawlessly. Checked the deer target , and ........euphoria. Heart/lung hit. Mind made up ,my quest for a real flintlock longrifle began. Pa. opened some of the Pa.State Game Lands to Flintlock deer hunting after Dec. 25 th. Off to the races, thanks to that one FIE rifle......... Can't help , Laughing out loud , that was a longtime ago. ............oldwood
 
back in the day, CVA'S were your go to muzzleloaders. I used to drive to HADDAM, CONN, when the guy who sold them worked out of his garage, then they moved to GEORGA, I believe, ?
 
My 1965 (?) DGW Spanish 28 gauge kit. Like $12 plus 3 shipping. Complete with "clamshell" cap box.
I bought one of those and still use it for rabbits in thick brush. I did some reenforcing on the lock and tang mounts and it has held up well shooting a light 20 gauge load.
 
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