First time buyer / cracked stocks.

So… I’m looking at purchasing my first flintlock and have been seriously considering a used custom/kit rifle in the $1,500 range. I can’t help but wonder why so many used flintlocks on the market have varying degrees of cracks in the stock. Why do you suppose this is? Is it simply the nature of flintlocks? Due to errors in the inletting process? Abuse?

I’m not a masochist, so I plan on keeping my charges to reasonable levels. I just hate to think that the rifle I’ve spent my hard-earned cash on is destined to develop a crack or split at some point.

Several things can cause cracks. Poor inletting can cause the tang or lock plate to put a lot of stress on the wood. Also wood shrinks as it dries, making those stress points worse. Screw holes and lock inletting remove a lot of structural wood. Then there's the graining, which runs parallel along the barrel but means it is at an odd angle at the wrist.

The area just behind the lock, where the trigger hand goes is usually very thin, and many builders fall for the " get it as thin as possible" doctrine, leading to weakness in that area, and subsequent cracking.

I've picked up two cracked stock easy to fix. Both have been shoot a lot there not moving, hard to see.

Or someone over tightens the locks screws cracking it on the lock plate side.

Sidney Smith said:

The area just behind the lock, where the trigger hand goes is usually very thin, and many builders fall for the " get it as thin as possible" doctrine, leading to weakness in that area, and subsequent cracking.

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Ain’t any falling for any doctrine. Many builders get it thin as possible because that is how they were originally made.

Quality of wood is a huge factor!
Treatment of wood, I see way to many stocks where the inside mortise isn't sealed/finished.
Loading practice, how many guys have you seen pounding and seating the projectiles like they were driving 12" spikes in a locust log?

And like was mentioned previously, over tightness of screws

#blackpowderbill said:

Quality of wood is a huge factor!
Treatment of wood, I see way to many stocks where the inside mortise isn't sealed/finished.
Loading practice, how many guys have you seen pounding and seating the projectiles like they were driving 12" spikes in a locust log?

And like was mentioned previously, over tightness of screws

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Unsealed/unfinished mortises were the rule rather than the exception on originals.

Clark Badgett said:

Unsealed/unfinished mortises were the rule rather than the exception on originals.

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WHOS RULE? SMH

I guess this really doesn't answer your question but there is a really nice .45 caliber rifle in the classified section right now in your price range. It has modern sights which need swapped out if you want something traditional but the rifle is nicely done. If I had the extra scratch it wouldn't be for sale now.

Tommy Bruce said:

I guess this really doesn't answer your question but there is a really nice .45 caliber rifle in the classified section right now in your price range. It has modern sights which need swapped out if you want something traditional but the rifle is nicely done. If I had the extra scratch it wouldn't be for sale now.

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Thanks, Tommy. I know of which rifle you speak, and I’ve been agonizing over it myself.

Clark Badgett said:

Unsealed/unfinished mortises were the rule rather than the exception on originals.

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I guess this would explain why I’ve seen so many antique flintlocks/percussion rifles with cracks for/aft of the lock area.

Pro Libertate said:

Thanks, Tommy. I know of which rifle you speak, and I’ve been agonizing over it myself.

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I've found that helping other people spend their money on flintlocks is a far less hazardous affair for me with the missus! Good luck in your search.

Clark Badgett said:

Unsealed/unfinished mortises were the rule rather than the exception on originals.

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True. I have examined, owned and used many original rifles and the lock mortise and barrel channel is never sealed or finished.

Be careful about buying wood from a vendor in the humid south if you live in a dry climate. Also wood that was not properly dried before cutting the precarve will do it.

#blackpowderbill said:

WHOS RULE? SMH

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Apparently the men that built them. It really is odd that you would get upset over someone stating facts about construction details of original flintlocks

As long as that topic is up; is there a good reason not to finish or seal these areas? Other than that's not the way it was originally done?

Tommy Bruce said:

I've found that helping other people spend their money on flintlocks is a far less hazardous affair for me with the missus! Good luck in your search.

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Ha! Yeah… I’m going to be sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future; I just reached out to Bill and committed to purchasing the Bruce Hamlin rifle.

Pro Libertate said:

Ha! Yeah… I’m going to be sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future; I just reached out to Bill and committed to purchasing the Bruce Hamlin rifle.

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Awesome!! Congratulations! I think that rifle will serve you well. Maybe I need to add another room onto the doghouse

Tommy Bruce said:

Awesome!! Congratulations! I think that rifle will serve you well. Maybe I need to add another room onto the doghouse

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Thanks, man! I probably should’ve started out with a CVA or Traditions being a complete and utter newbie here, but I have a tendency to jump into new hobbies with both feet. I was looking at Pedersolis for a good long while, but they’re not cheap (as much or more than this Bruce Hamlin custom) and it sounds like quality is kind of hit or miss on the new offerings. Buy once, cry once, I suppose.

You wouldn’t happen to know if Bruce Hamlin is still around, would you? I know he is/was a member of the forum.