AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: greymount on January 29, 2009, 06:17:19 AM

Title: 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle Kits
Post by: greymount on January 29, 2009, 06:17:19 AM

Is there a difference between the 1803 Harpers Ferry halfstock rifle kit from TOW and the one from Pecatonica River? Which one is considered 'better"?  Has anyone built either of these kits? 

Title: Re: 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle Kits
Post by: rich pierce on January 29, 2009, 08:38:50 PM

I think a lot of folks here prefer Don Stith's kits. www.donstith.com

Title: Re: 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle Kits
Post by: Benedict on January 29, 2009, 08:54:58 PM

I don't see where Don Stith is offering an 1803 HF rifle kit.  Did I miss it?

He offers the 1792 Contract Rifle kit which is (arguably) the rifle the Lewis and Clark used.

Bruce

Title: Re: 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle Kits
Post by: TPH on January 29, 2009, 10:17:13 PM

Then there is always:

http://www.therifleshoppe.com/(500_a).htm

or

http://www.therifleshoppe.com/(500_b).htm

or 

http://www.therifleshoppe.com/(500_c).htm

Call for availability in advance of your order, email replies are iffy in my experience. Call before lunch their time.

Title: Re: 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle Kits
Post by: Dphariss on January 29, 2009, 10:26:12 PM

Quote from: greymount on January 29, 2009, 06:17:19 AM

Is there a difference between the 1803 Harpers Ferry halfstock rifle kit from TOW and the one from Pecatonica River? Which one is considered 'better"?  Has anyone built either of these kits? 

The Rifle Shoppe has a set of casting for the 1803 cast from an original. I don't know if TOW uses these or not.

Dan

Title: Re: 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle Kits
Post by: rich pierce on January 29, 2009, 10:36:12 PM

Quote from: Benedict on January 29, 2009, 08:54:58 PM

I don't see where Don Stith is offering an 1803 HF rifle kit.  Did I miss it?

He offers the 1792 Contract Rifle kit which is (arguably) the rifle the Lewis and Clark used.

Bruce

You're right.  I dunno why I mixed that up.  Might be getting old!

Title: Re: 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle Kits
Post by: JLE on January 30, 2009, 05:37:19 AM

I am 99% sure they are the same kit,I have used both. Some hardware is in scarce supply now for the 1803 kit from both supppliers. In my opinion these are fine kits,some others may comment on this.

Title: Re: 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle Kits
Post by: Longknife on January 30, 2009, 06:51:59 PM

I have looked at both kits on the net. TOTW buys their stocks from someone, I would not doubt if it is Pecatonioca. They use the same locks and probably the same hardware, The only real difference that I can see is Pec. uses a Getz barrel ($761.50)and TOTW uses a Colerain barrel ($811.64), and the $50.15 difference...But I'm sure you have checked all this out....They appear to be identical kits otherwise....Ed

P.S Don Stith used to carry aan 1803 kit.

Title: Re: 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle Kits
Post by: Curt Larsen on January 31, 2009, 08:39:36 PM

Longknife is right, Don Stith used to carry an 1803 kit and then went to the 1792 contract rifle.  I bought one of Don's last 1803 kits a couple of years back and it is a nice piece of work.  Try Don to see if he still has other parts left.  If he does, you can't go wrong.  As an aside, his 1792 contract rifle is also first rate and I recommend it.

Curt