First and foremost I hope this post finds everyone healthy and well!
I have been visiting this forum on an off for several years now. (If you google anything “Muzzle Loader” this site pops up) It is amazing how much knowledge resides on this site. I figured it was time to go ahead and jump in with both feet this past December. I wouldn’t necessarily call it trolling
, more like the movie the “13th Warrior” Where the Arab fella (Antonio Banderas) kept his mouth shut and learned how things work "the rules of engagement so to speak" before he let on that he was aware and ready to participate in the activities at hand. It wasn’t a good movie, but there is something to be said about keeping your mouth shut and in this case “Eyes wide open” paying attention and learning something. This forum is different from the others, more my speed. The other forums tend to be a bit “specialized” and I am not knocking those fellas, there is a need for specialist. However, at the moment I just wanna learn how to take advantage of what I have and how to prepare for what I have coming. I am a hunter, Trad Archery, Front Stuffers and “unmentionables” etc… pretty much a typical outdoorsman and history buff. Not much of a fisherman anymore, will run a Trotline or Jugs/Noodles but gave up Bass boats and Bait casting and such. Been shooting muzzle loaders for a while now. My Dad was a Pharmacist in a small town in Texas. In the late seventies the local “Otasco” manager needed some medicine and didn’t have the cash. As things were done back then, My Dad made a deal with him. I was 14 or 15 at the time. My Dad told me to run down there and see if there was anything that I could use. I went in and immediately saw the CVA Kentucky Rifle and Pistol (Jukar) both in (.45) in the display case. It was on then!!! I remember my first Dixie Gun Works catalog and still have my first horn, Revolutionary War “Barrel“ canteen and “Hunters Blouse”. After high school I sold all the guns (Big Dummy!) 
. I joined the USMC and stuck around for twenty. At some point during those 20 years I picked up an ASM “Sherriff” 1851 Navy in .44 a .50 TC Hawken (Perc) and in 1993/94 (can’t remember) a .50 Lyman GPR Flint Gun that is absolutely fantastic! Lots of venison has been put in the freezer with that one. Eventually gave the TC to a friend. In the last 10 years I picked up a .50 GPR Perc “Hunter” That has worked, but is not even close to the quality of the early GPR. I can’t complain since I only paid $100 for it and it enables my "affliction" of being "wrong" handed. It just needs a little help. Been looking for a .54 lefty flint barrel to convert it. Through you fellas, I found a left-handed lock (L&R) and I am going to go with Davis triggers to try and get it all straightened out but the search continues for the unicorn barrel. I also found a .50 Traditions “Trapper". The Trapper although its a nice pistol is not what I thought it was going to be. The “Billboards” on the barrel are annoying to say the least. It shoots good, but it is just not satisfying the "need" (I will come back to that later). Getting close to retiring from my second "Gig"(Surveyor – hence the avatar). This past September, I ordered a TVM Southern Basic in .50, 42” swamped barrel, steel furniture etc. When I get it you fellas can tell me what I should’ve done and all that stuff that comes from the peanut gallery etc. I am a Marine and I got’s thick skin so have at it 
. I’m going to be purchasing a "Pistol" kit here in the near future. I want something that will look right at home along side of the TVM I have coming, and I would appreciate if you “Stitch Counters” keep me straight. Like one of you fellas said in one of your threads, “If I am going to build it, I want it to be as historically correct as possible”. I get that, if your going to build it yourself might as well give it all you got. As far as accoutrements, clothing etc… that’s a Rabbit hole that I am rapidly approaching, and I am fixing to take a big ole drink of the “Kool-aid”. Looking forward to spending more time with you fine peeps and learning lots of new things!
Flint GPR
.50 Hunter GPR
Trapper and Sherriff
I build my own self bows, these I did not build. The self bows are a different story all together.
I have been visiting this forum on an off for several years now. (If you google anything “Muzzle Loader” this site pops up) It is amazing how much knowledge resides on this site. I figured it was time to go ahead and jump in with both feet this past December. I wouldn’t necessarily call it trolling
, more like the movie the “13th Warrior” Where the Arab fella (Antonio Banderas) kept his mouth shut and learned how things work "the rules of engagement so to speak" before he let on that he was aware and ready to participate in the activities at hand. It wasn’t a good movie, but there is something to be said about keeping your mouth shut and in this case “Eyes wide open” paying attention and learning something. This forum is different from the others, more my speed. The other forums tend to be a bit “specialized” and I am not knocking those fellas, there is a need for specialist. However, at the moment I just wanna learn how to take advantage of what I have and how to prepare for what I have coming. I am a hunter, Trad Archery, Front Stuffers and “unmentionables” etc… pretty much a typical outdoorsman and history buff. Not much of a fisherman anymore, will run a Trotline or Jugs/Noodles but gave up Bass boats and Bait casting and such. Been shooting muzzle loaders for a while now. My Dad was a Pharmacist in a small town in Texas. In the late seventies the local “Otasco” manager needed some medicine and didn’t have the cash. As things were done back then, My Dad made a deal with him. I was 14 or 15 at the time. My Dad told me to run down there and see if there was anything that I could use. I went in and immediately saw the CVA Kentucky Rifle and Pistol (Jukar) both in (.45) in the display case. It was on then!!! I remember my first Dixie Gun Works catalog and still have my first horn, Revolutionary War “Barrel“ canteen and “Hunters Blouse”. After high school I sold all the guns (Big Dummy!) . I joined the USMC and stuck around for twenty. At some point during those 20 years I picked up an ASM “Sherriff” 1851 Navy in .44 a .50 TC Hawken (Perc) and in 1993/94 (can’t remember) a .50 Lyman GPR Flint Gun that is absolutely fantastic! Lots of venison has been put in the freezer with that one. Eventually gave the TC to a friend. In the last 10 years I picked up a .50 GPR Perc “Hunter” That has worked, but is not even close to the quality of the early GPR. I can’t complain since I only paid $100 for it and it enables my "affliction" of being "wrong" handed. It just needs a little help. Been looking for a .54 lefty flint barrel to convert it. Through you fellas, I found a left-handed lock (L&R) and I am going to go with Davis triggers to try and get it all straightened out but the search continues for the unicorn barrel. I also found a .50 Traditions “Trapper". The Trapper although its a nice pistol is not what I thought it was going to be. The “Billboards” on the barrel are annoying to say the least. It shoots good, but it is just not satisfying the "need" (I will come back to that later). Getting close to retiring from my second "Gig"(Surveyor – hence the avatar). This past September, I ordered a TVM Southern Basic in .50, 42” swamped barrel, steel furniture etc. When I get it you fellas can tell me what I should’ve done and all that stuff that comes from the peanut gallery etc. I am a Marine and I got’s thick skin so have at it . I’m going to be purchasing a "Pistol" kit here in the near future. I want something that will look right at home along side of the TVM I have coming, and I would appreciate if you “Stitch Counters” keep me straight. Like one of you fellas said in one of your threads, “If I am going to build it, I want it to be as historically correct as possible”. I get that, if your going to build it yourself might as well give it all you got. As far as accoutrements, clothing etc… that’s a Rabbit hole that I am rapidly approaching, and I am fixing to take a big ole drink of the “Kool-aid”. Looking forward to spending more time with you fine peeps and learning lots of new things!
Flint GPR
.50 Hunter GPR
Trapper and Sherriff
I build my own self bows, these I did not build. The self bows are a different story all together.
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