Pedersoli Pennsylvania Long Rifle

[pbcasterlin]

My local gun store just got a Pedersoli Pennsylvania Long Rifle in with a collection of estate guns he bought. He's asking $549 I have always wanted one of these, is this a fair price. Looks to be in good condition, I don't see any rust or pitting.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

That's actually a Pedersoli "Frontier" model. You omitted the caliber in your post. They are sold by Cabela's as the "Blue Ridge Hunter". The asking price is $100 off what they sell for new (and not including shipping) The sights are modern in your photo, so you will need to swap them out for a good, plain rear sight, https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/880/2/RS-FG-16-T this is a finished sight, or you can go for really basic and shape it as you need for elevation and notch https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/880/1/RS-B-1. The front sight on these rifles really needs to be thin to get the most out of the accuracy. I like to use a thin, tall, silver, front blade as it can be reduced for your favorite distance, and the silver picks up light well in low light. https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/874/6/FS-TC-TTB. The last thing to know is they have a patent breech, so you will want to get a .22 or .32 caliber bore brush for a pistol, for the end of a modern ramrod to be able to keep the breech clean. Check the bore to ensure it's in good condition. The .50 and the .45 caliber versions of this rifle are 1:48 twist, so if you like to shoot conicals as well as round ball, you should be able to get Lee REAL bullets to work well for you. The .54 is a 1:65 twist, and prefers round ball.

LD

 

[bones92]

LD summed it up well. Find a closed gunbroker auction where one has sold for less and show the shop, and make an offer. I’d keep it under $450. They’re good rifles.

 

[pbcasterlin]

That's actually a Pedersoli "Frontier" model. You omitted the caliber in your post. They are sold by Cabela's as the "Blue Ridge Hunter". The asking price is $100 off what they sell for new (and not including shipping) The sights are modern in your photo, so you will need to swap them out for a good, plain rear sight, https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/880/2/RS-FG-16-T this is a finished sight, or you can go for really basic and shape it as you need for elevation and notch https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/880/1/RS-B-1. The front sight on these rifles really needs to be thin to get the most out of the accuracy. I like to use a thin, tall, silver, front blade as it can be reduced for your favorite distance, and the silver picks up light well in low light. https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/874/6/FS-TC-TTB. The last thing to know is they have a patent breech, so you will want to get a .22 or .32 caliber bore brush for a pistol, for the end of a modern ramrod to be able to keep the breech clean. Check the bore to ensure it's in good condition. The .50 and the .45 caliber versions of this rifle are 1:48 twist, so if you like to shoot conicals as well as round ball, you should be able to get Lee REAL bullets to work well for you. The .54 is a 1:65 twist, and prefers round ball.

LD

Thanks, I realized I left out the caliber after I posted. It's a .50 caliber. This Gun Store is usually on the high end with their prices so I'm not surprised it's not any kind of deal.

 

[pbcasterlin]

Loyalist Dave, what are the differences between the Frontier Rifle and Pennsylvania rifle? If I can go in armed with some knowledge maybe I can get him to deal.

 

[Grimord]

The Pennsylvania rifle has a 41" barrel and a Roman nosed stock.

 

[pbcasterlin]

I was looking on Pedersoli's website, it looks like the Pennsylvania rifle is not available in .50 caliber flintlock?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Loyalist Dave, what are the differences between the Frontier Rifle and Pennsylvania rifle? If I can go in armed with some knowledge maybe I can get him to deal.

The Pennsylvania is offered in .50 (thought the online site does not list it) and .45 and .32, and it has a smaller lock than the Frontier so..., I don't think you gain much advantage in negotiation. The Pennsylvania model has an elevation adjustable, rear sight too. I don't like the lock on the Pennsylvania, but the one on the Frontier is OK. You might tell him the modern sights have to go, so you're going to need to replace them...

The key is the bore. IF it's in good condition, $100 off the retail compared to Cabela's isn't a bad deal, it's just not a great deal. You might check with Cabela's and see what they'd charge you for delivery, and figure that as added to your savings. It might be that you're saving $150 off the actual cost to your for the same rifle, new.

I doubt he thinks it's a Pennsylvania rifle since they retail for about $850 new, on sale, from Dixie Gun Works. If he does think that it's a Pennsylvania model (instead of calling it a PA rifle because of the style) he might think the price is a great deal compared to the rifle when new ....

The idea of getting some old listings of Frontier models for sale from Gunbroker and as an example is a pretty good tactic.

If the bore is roached, then point that out, offer him like $250, and then after buying it, send it out to become a .54 smooth rifle for about $100 cost with the shipping.

LD

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I’d avoid it.

Wrong twist for best roundball accuracy, historically incorrect and not based on any real gun, ugly wood, roll marks all over, incorrect wrist sculpture, modern sights you’d have to correct, the list goes on.

Save your money and get a real rifle, ideally a Kibler.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Well Smokey, I agree with most of what you say, but the Hawken Brothers thought that the 1 in 48 twist with deep rifling was just fine for round ball.

Yes, the Kibler would be a much better rifle at twice the cost.

 

[pbcasterlin]