AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: oldtravler61 on April 23, 2024, 11:04:21 PM
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..Does anyone make Miniature flintlocks anymore..? Seen a couple at the
Tennessee show last weekend and I am curious about availability. I
know of a few of the makers back in the day. But does anyone
currently..? Thanks for any information..
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I think a member here has if I remember correctly. Rich Pierce I believe? It was absolutely beautiful.
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I think a member here has if I remember correctly. Rich Pierce I believe? It was absolutely beautiful.
Not I!
In the past my neighbor here in Vermont, Damien Connolly, has made miniature flintlocks of a very small scale. He also made the machines to make the parts.
(https://i.ibb.co/W3cSxGg/IMG-2267.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8BjFKN6)
(https://i.ibb.co/RNXnXsh/IMG-2269.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BGhDhQ4)
(https://i.ibb.co/QY9yM01/IMG-2268.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HG75qZk)
https://craftsmanshipmuseum.com/artisan/damien-connolly/
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That is just beyond my comprehension to understand how a man can have so much talent. Amazing.
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I don't understand how anybody could do a nice job of inletting the fancy brass patchboxes and inlays. Making the lock must be a labor of love too.
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I have never understood the why of something like these minis.. I appreciate the talent used but time could be better spent.
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Damien has incredible focus and patience as well as skill that is mind blowing. He has engraving projects that take a year to complete. Maybe one in 10 million people have that kind of patience, focus, and skill. He often spends 40 or more hours preparing a surface for engraving.
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The miniatures I seen at the show were about two feet long. I believe they shot 22 caliber pellets but not positive. The locks were about two inches long. Their was considerable interest in them.
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Reminds me of the maritime museum in Alexandria Va I think? it had a collection of the most incredible and detailed ship models I have ever seen. I also recall reading about a person that carved art inside of a human hair. It's hard to imagine what makes a person do the things they do but it's also amazing what a person can do when they focus on it hard enough and long enough. My hats off to folks that do it. I have been a kind of artist most of my life, but I am not and never will be in the same league with these masters.
Imagine what mankind could do, if all this focus and ability was aimed at... I don't know--- fill in the blank? Amazing to me. Mankind's creativity is a reflection of our Creator, and points to God. That is what I see in it anyway.
K
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It takes a very talented maker to make a fully functioning miniature long rifle. Most I have seen are very well done and demand as much or more money than many of their full sized counterparts being made by some well known builders. Most that don't appreciate the value of these or taking the time to build them are the ones not talented enough to do this kind of work. It's a labor of love and a display of talent that is above the average builder. If I ever get a chance to own one of Mr. Gerald Neaves miniature rifles, I will not pass it up. What a talent
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It takes a very talented maker to make a fully functioning miniature long rifle. Most I have seen are very well done and demand as much or more money than many of their full sized counterparts being made by some well known builders. Most that don't appreciate the value of these or taking the time to build them are the ones not talented enough to do this kind of work. It's a labor of love and a display of talent that is above the average builder. If I ever get a chance to own one of Mr. Gerald Neaves miniature rifles, I will not pass it up. What a talent
Sort of a back handed slap there.....
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I guess if your GI Joe wants to start hunting with a flintlock when on leave ;D ;D ;D
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I will be honest. I have no desire what so ever to own one of these miniatures. I just don't. But I DO admire the patience, focus and skill it takes to make one. UNLESS I shrink in the dryer and need a flintlock to shoot. Then I am all in.
K
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I have never understood the why of something like these minis.. I appreciate the talent used but time could be better spent.
Well this is what the man likes to do, others need not understand the why of it. It is art of a very high level.
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I’m with Mike. I’m all for doing what makes you happy, but I ask why as well.
Rich,
That’s neat that Damien Connolly is your neighbor. I recall seeing his work 10 years ago and being super impressed.
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There is a Dutch fellow here at ALR who makes miniatures as well, is there not?
I am sorry, but his name escapes me. A.L. are his initials, I think?
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I wanna see a miniature flintlock in a bottle.
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There is a Dutch fellow here at ALR who makes miniatures as well, is there not?
I am sorry, but his name escapes me. A.L. are his initials, I think?
Adrie Luke. He is a very talented fellow.
Ron
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I wanna see a miniature flintlock in a bottle.
;D Now that would be a useful way to spend your time ;D
Honestly, I appreciate the craftsmanship. I have seen these at shows in the past but have had no desire to even pick one up. My only thought at seeing one has always been "what's the point"!
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Small locks like the Maslin and others are as close as I ever came to a miniature,functional lock.Never thought of the scale shown here and the triggers to match.The skills involved in these tiny ones far exceeds anything I ever tried or even thought of trying.I once made a tiny screw to repair a pair of glasses for the son of a friend who would have been non functional without them.I think it was a 0x80.I have the tap and die for those screws (maybe) but haven't thought of them for decades.
Bob Roller
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I believe anybody is capable of doing anything they wanted to, if they can put their mind and body to it for as long it takes. If you start by thinking it cant be done you have already lost the battle. I can not see the point of building a small rifle like that unless someone is paying you lots of money, what would you use it for anyway? If you add a plug bayonet it could be used as a toothpick maybe.
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People make miniature boats, airplanes, trains, dioramas. They even carve miniature decoys. Why not rifles? I've seen miniature M1 rifles for sale that cycle.
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I would have to hide it from my dogs !
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Well...
What about miniature WHEELLOCKS?
These are from a museum in Germany. Apparently they were apprentice's examples proving their lerned skill.
Now... imagine doing these 300 years ago...
Links below are a few more.
http://www.lennartviebahn.com/arms_armour/antiques/michel_mann_pistol2.html
https://ago.ca/collection/object/agoid.29505
Hope you enjoy.
I might have to try building one!
William
(https://i.ibb.co/6Wc5RXQ/15-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jr9FvJt)
(https://i.ibb.co/bWZzy4m/15-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RvmzMXb)
(https://i.ibb.co/rkQWBvP/6-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R2g5X7n)
(https://i.ibb.co/BwBchN4/6-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vDkVNYs)
(https://i.ibb.co/0hxsWdN/6-5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m63NYMs)
(https://i.ibb.co/PcFB8sD/20240425-222614.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n76hSqP)
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People make miniature boats, airplanes, trains, dioramas. They even carve miniature decoys. Why not rifles? I've seen miniature M1 rifles for sale that cycle.
I'll bet the ammo is hard to find these days. :P
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Ok we are getting way off track again. But does anyone know of someone who makes small flintlocks..? Not tiny miniatures say a two inch long lock plate...? For a 22 caliber pellet project I have in mind for a friends grand child.
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Track of the Wolf i hope
(https://i.ibb.co/RzbBng8/Clipboard01.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vZqQ5c9)
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Thank you but I'm looking for a lock.
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Sorry flintlock lock
http://therifleshoppe.com/catalog_pages/german_locks_and_hardware/%28659%29.htm
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Those are really fun to look at. Just think of the difficulty involved. I remember seeing Hacker Martin holding one that he made once.
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I wonder who could make a barrel for such a small thing!
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Would that barrel be swamped or straight? Rifled or smooth? Full octagon or half round? Jaeger or longrifle?
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Oldtraveler; What calibers do they normally come in? And what loads do you recommend?
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Would that barrel be swamped or straight? Rifled or smooth? Full octagon or half round? Jaeger or longrifle?
I think swamped oct on the ends and straight round in the middle would be perfect for a project l Ike this. Or maybe not.
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Years ago ... I bought a barrel fresh off the mill from Don Getz .. A 1/2 scale Oct-to-round fowler barrel .
This one ia 22" long , and a smooth .315" bore size , It's profile is like the Chambers Fowler which is 44" and a 20 ga (62) ..
Nicely breeched .. signed Getz ... Sweet !!
I have been wanting to build a 1/2 scale gun but , sorta lost interest but really Like the barrel !!
Check in with Paul Hamler on small stuff .. he has it all .. Lock Stock & barrel ...
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The barrel I have is from a gallery gun in 22 caliber. It is a straight barrel right now. But could take a file to it. Might just taper it instead. I figure five grains of 3 f powder to start. Making the breech plug tomorrow. Allen you have any info on how to reach Paul Hamler..? I can make the trigger guard out of steel an all the pipes. Maybe even the patch box or a grease hole who knows. But it will be fun...
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Oldtravler
Sometimes I use translation into Dutch, which doesn't always work well, that's why I responded with flints.
Paul Hamler helped me a lot in the beginning of making my miniature.
Email adress
hamlertools <hamlertools@windstream.net>
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Here his website
https://hamlertools.smugmug.com/
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Andrie no problem at all. I took your chart an figured what size counts I need. The only cost to this is going to be the lock. If I had your skill like others on here I'd try.
Thanks for all the help..😊
Oldtravler
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Several years back, I saw some pictures off a British frigate that Daryl Sapergia of this forum had made. Museum quality work. I would imagine he could build a mini-flintlock if the mood struck him.
Me? With my ten thumbs, rather doubt it.
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I have some castings for a flintlock that are about 3 7/8" long. The plate could possibly be shortened a little.
You would need to fit & finish the castings.
If interested I could post images. Have both right & left. For double barrel pistols...
William
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$500 for a small lock that doesn’t have a bridle?
http://therifleshoppe.com/catalog_pages/german_locks_and_hardware/%28659%29.htm (http://therifleshoppe.com/catalog_pages/german_locks_and_hardware/%28659%29.htm)
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I have never understood the why of something like these minis.. I appreciate the talent used but time could be better spent.
There is a strong bunch of miniature collectors. I've seen guns of that size go for over ten grand.
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I have never understood the why of something like these minis.. I appreciate the talent used but time could be better spent.
I assume this is what the AR guys think about our stuff....
Kevin
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Those small rifles are works of art and speak for themselves. It’s not always about purpose, it’s about how it makes you feel and think.
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That’s cool and all, BUT I don’t get it. All that Talent should be better spent on a Full sized Gun. Just my 2 cents
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Still a response.
In 2014 I was feeling really bad, as an escape I went into the garage and tried to make miniature flintlock rifles.
I emailed Paul Hamler for a rifling gun barrel, he sent a drawing
of a rifling bench and gave me the confidence that I could do it myself.
He helped me a lot and also sent my first PDF drawing of a Lancaster rifle.
I wanted to engrave a patch box, when I got it back engraved it came with a chisel and a note, you can do this yourself.
Some time later I saw a Swivel breech rifle from David Price on the internet.
I emailed David to ask how his system worked, he sent pictures, then we connected and he made me feel really good.
In 2014 he introduced me to ALR.
This is how I came into contact with Norm Johnsen (showmi). He is a pilot and flew to the Netherlands and visited me. That was a beautiful time. Now he only flies domestic flights. That's too bad.
I met Hans Muller in the Netherlands, a special person with beautiful stories.
My wife and I went to Norm and David's house in America
and also met John Rider and I felt the guns, which is what Mike Brooks says.
The members of ALR told me what I was doing right and wrong.
This motivated me to do my best.
And that also gave me a pat on the head.
What do you mean make miniatures? It has given me a lot.
Adrie
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The Maslin lock was the smallest I ever made. I looked at the TRS online catalog and had to shut down and restart this laptop to get rid of it.
I liked their printed catalog and sold it to someone on this forum.
Bob Roller
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Adrie, some folks get it and some folks don't. It's no problem for those that don't get the miniatures as long as they don't try to ruin every bodies else's fun. The first time I saw a miniature, it was one of Gerald Neaves. I could not be leave the detail, not only that but it was fully functional. It's all I can do to build a full size rifle, so to say I was impressed with his skill is an understatement.
I ran into Paul Himmler later at one of the shows. Paul work and tools are amazing. Ardie, keep smiling and enjoying.
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I find some of the comments to be a veiled sanctimonious disdain for the miniature rifle pursuit. The level of skill amazes me and is of a quality few builders can match on a full size project. So if its not your cup of tea move on.
kw
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Thanks Bama
In the Netherlands it is prohibited to make full-size rifles by private individuals.
But I made one for Hans Muller because he could no longer do it himself and one of the things he gave to me.
Actually there is one for myself.
(https://i.ibb.co/YL4JvRy/DSC02583.jpg) (https://ibb.co/P6sJBm9)
(https://i.ibb.co/H7Qhb4c/DSC02582.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Q9GDTQW)
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Andrie the world is full of negative people. It's just the way people are.
Other's are on an ego trip. I just like doing something different every once in awhile. We just got to do what makes us happy.
Recently I started making trade guns. Not their not perfectly H. C.. But I'm working on getting better.
Just keep doing what you enjoy doing. Because in the long run. It really IS what truly matters most. Also thank you for all your help on my project.
Oldtravler
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I made one in January.
Its kinda crude.
I should have slimmed the wrist down. It doesn't really matter though...I built it for my kids to use and get started young. I have 3 kids under the age of 8.
Its a 27.5" octagon to round 36 caliber Bobby Hoyt barrel and a small siler lock. I made the butt plate, thimbles and nose cap from sheet brass.
here is my middle kid shooting it in the white..
https://youtube.com/shorts/2wakidaM2qA?si=fQgGazJmD-4MWsaK
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What a smile!!!
This past winter I also made a "kid\small frame" size flintlock rifle. 30" 45-cal barrel. I "stole" structure from half-stock's, Hawken hook-breech, Hawken wedge keys (Ease of cleaning), Northwest Trade architecture\trigger guard.
It shoots well, is light, and a kid can handle it much easier than a full length. Lots of work went into it and it's built for a specific purpose of kid friendly. I got some odd responses to the build. Don't let that matter. What's important is to get the kid interested. Everything else is secondary.