Hooked Breech Percussion Rife Advice

[Long Ears]

I know, Percussion! A friend of mine whom I built a nice Beck rifle for wants me to build his wife a light short, percussion rifle. It seems she can't handle the flash of the pan on her face. I need advice on the hooked breech part. I've read about Taylor's processes where he solders them together to inlet them. How tough is it to fit the parts together and any other pitfalls. Do you have a favorite supplier? I'm still in the planning stages and I was going to order a Burton barrel in Oct.to rnd. Do you need to use a certain lock or would a large Siler work? Thanks again, Bob

[rich pierce]

A 1770s lock on a short, light percussion rifle might seem a bit out of place. I guess it depends on the era of rifle you're making. A Hawken brothers local small game rifle might be a good choice but there are plenty of choices.  If just building a reliable shooter without looking to base it on something historical, then the Siler lock would be fine.

Why the hooked breech?  Will it be a halfstock?

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

If you are going to build a light weight percussion rifle, why not pick a design that suits the hooked breech and the percussion lock.  The rifle pictured is designed to fill all of those needs and more.  The hooked breech and tang, the lock, and the hardware are easily acquired from a number of vendors.  If you need more details, I'm happy to oblige.  Making a light weight Kentucky with a 'converted' percussion lock and then adding a hooked breech will work, but as far as I am concerned, it's not the best path to take.

[Bob Roller]

Ah yes.Another fine example of my favorite style of rifle.
It's all good.

Bob Roller

[galamb]

Does it have to be a "hooked" breech?

Pete Allan makes a couple of nice "fixed" percussion breeches that are available through TOTW - the Hawken Squirrel (snail style) which will fit a 7/8 or 15/16" barrel and the Ohio patent (drum style, but all cast into one piece) in sizes from 13/16 up to 15/16" and then a Hawken patent 1" (snail type).

Can take a look here http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/666/1 if you think it might work for you.

The Ohio patent is well suited to a "percussion conversion" style build - I'm currently mating one up with a Chambers Golden Age Percussion Conversion lock (but would also work with any lock having a 1/2 drum cut-out) - and it's working out fine/looks proper as well.

[smylee grouch]

I'm wondering if the breech snail area can be used with a large siler. Seems the main spring lug area might be compromised in fitting it. Just some food for thought.

[hpdrifter]

I'm not historically illiterate, but I, like Galamb, think a Ohio rifle is right up the ally.