A New Ketland Trade Pistol

[PathfinderNC]

This is my newly finished Ketland Trade Pistol, officially done since it got it's final application of finish today, a few coats of buffed-in paste wax. I am pretty pleased with how it turned out.
Built from a MBS kit, I made an alteration to the original, replacing the side plate with one of a more "Pennsylvania" flavor, just because I think it looks a lot nicer.
I will hopefully shoot it tomorrow, with both patched round ball (.595) and also #5 shot. It has a short 7.5" smoothbore barrel (.62 cal.) without a front sight, so it will be interesting to see how it preforms.

 

[Polecat_Tom]

Very pleasing to my eye.

 

[TDM]

It looks great @PathfinderNC, got to see some target practice now! If the hot weather allows.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Well done indeed; looks a very practical pistol.

 

[Brokennock]

Very, very nice. I look forward to a performance review. Hoping it shoots as good as it looks, with your level of craftsmanship I have no doubts though.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Here's the first shot at about 12 yards. No front sight makes aiming it very fun

 

[64Springer]

Ain't nuthin wrong with that.

 

[Colonial Boy]

It is a very piratical pistol. (Gee! It’s nice to be right).

 

[Rich44]

I agree with the others, very nice. Every build I have seen you make turns out to be gold. I'm also interested in how you load a shot charge and what it looks on paper at a short range. I like the looks that you added. Is there enough barrel meat to install like a shotgun bead sight, or is that not correct for the type handgun?

 

[PathfinderNC]

It is a very piratical pistol. (Gee! It’s nice to be right).

Meaning a pistol for a pirate? Harhar matey

 

[Colonial Boy]

I disabled ‘spellcheck’ and now it has got back at me.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I agree with the others, very nice. Every build I have seen you make turns out to be gold. I'm also interested in how you load a shot charge and what it looks on paper at a short range. I like the looks that you added. Is there enough barrel meat to install like a shotgun bead sight, or is that not correct for the type handgun?

Thank you Rich; really kind of you
I took a few shots with #5 cold shot. 35 gr. of black powder and about 45 grain measure of shot. The pattern at about 15 yards was plenty tight for hitting a squirrel I think. (see the last photo attached with the soda can) I need to aim lower since there is no front sight and aiming along the barrel goes high. But this was just my first four shots so lots to learn.
I could have put on a front sight, which could still happen, but many pistols like these had none. It's part of the shooting mystique to use it that way, I guess.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I disabled ‘spellcheck’ and now it has got back at me.

Yup, I can see that LOL. But yes your right, it really is a simple, practical and (probably) reliable pistol.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Thank you Rich; really kind of you
I took a few shots with #5 cold shot. 35 gr. of black powder and about 45 grain measure of shot. The pattern at about 15 yards was plenty tight for hitting a squirrel I think. (see the last photo attached with the soda can) I need to aim lower since there is no front sight and aiming along the barrel goes high. But this was just my first four shots so lots to learn.
I could have put on a front sight, which could still happen, but many pistols like these had none. It's part of the shooting mystique to use it that way, I guess.

Bob, very nice job on the pistol, no sight on the front end makes it a little harder on long shots but close up...! I have one like that myself, good for self defense against squirrels!

 

[PathfinderNC]

Bob, very nice job on the pistol, no sight on the front end makes it a little harder on long shots but close up...! I have one like that myself, good for self defense against squirrels!

Indeed. As a close quarter weapon or to protect one’s self against rogue rough-tuffians, scoundrels and scallywags - including attack squirrels- it fits the bill!
I might give it a try with squirrel hunting in the back woods. Should be fun

 

[springfield art]

Handsome!

 

[Rich44]

After you have some fun with this beauty. What's the next project/build?
You surely have more ideas in the pot, yes?

 

[PathfinderNC]

After you have some fun with this beauty. What's the next project/build?
You surely have more ideas in the pot, yes?

Back to horn making now but for flintlocks- maybe another French Dragoon or Sparrow Pistol.

 

[springfield art]

Meaning a pistol for a pirate? Harhar matey

It's funny how kids and lots of grown-ups will call any gun used or illustrated around pirates "a Pirate gun" or whatever, but pirates used the same exact common guns of the day as everyone else, (Navy, law enforcement, etc.) ;

 

[2 shots]

It's funny how kids and lots of grown-ups will call any gun used or illustrated around pirates "a Pirate gun" or whatever, but pirates used the same exact common guns of the day as everyone else, (Navy, law enforcement, etc.) ;

had a friend who was very up on modern guns. he knew nothing about antique guns .he decided he wanted a pirate pistol , he was very disappointed when i informed him there is no such thing. i told him they did not have a pirate gun store back in the day, they just got them on the street or stole them just like they do today.