Author Topic: Question For The Experts (Read 5835 times)

OldMtnMan · « **on:** August 31, 2018, 12:28:31 AM »

I got a bit sidetracked and had a financial setback. I still want to have a long rifle built and the builder is still willing to do it as soon as I can buy the parts/kit. I have a new thought and need your help with the decision.

Living in Colorado I got hung up on the mountain man era. Nothing wrong with that, but I wonder if I didn't pick the wrong part of the country in making my decision. I was born and brought up in Mass. My parents moved to Calif. when I was 14. I went to high school there and then moved back to Springfield Mass. where i'm from and call home. I spent my whole married life there and after that ended up in Colorado.

So, with that in mind and with my desire for a Longrifle. Keeping in mind I consider my true home Mass. What rifle would I be using in the late 18th century-early 19th century? before I was considering the Issac Haines rifle but there was no thought about whether that rifle would have been available to me back in the day.

So, whatcha say guys? What gun would suit? What were my options in Mass back in the day?

Thanks

Frank · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2018, 01:28:02 AM »

Jim Kibler’s Colonial Rifle. Piece of cake to put together and you can do it yourself.

OldMtnMan · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2018, 02:44:07 AM »

Thanks, Frank. It's a really nice kit. I forgot to mention it has to be in LH and he doesn't make one due to the CNC work would be too much at this time.

The kit doesn't need to be easy to build. I can't do it. I live in an apartment. I have a good builder to do it.

Tell me about the Isaac Haines. Where was that gun popular?

Karl Kunkel · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2018, 04:32:55 AM »

Isaac Haines, Lampeter Twp, Lancaster County PA (1772-1831).

OldMtnMan · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2018, 04:40:41 AM »

Not far from Mass. I used to go to PA when I lived in Mass all the time. Of course, it would have taken a bit longer on a horse.

Darkhorse · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2018, 05:05:14 AM »

The Isaac Haines rifle is the rifle I would pick. I don't see why one would not have been available to a man heading west. I am lefthanded also and am well aware of the problems you face. Fortunately the IH is available in LH from several sources. If I was building another .54 I would get the kit from Dunlap, top quality parts a little cheaper than others plus you have a choice of several grades of wood.
But due to shoulder problems I'm wanting another Isacc Haines with a "B" profile .50 caliber barrel. Track of Wolf offers this kit with quality parts but at a premium cost. So what I'll probably do is buy a Rice "B" profile in 50 cal. and just fit it to my IH with the 40 cal barrel.
http://dunlapwoodcrafts.com/component-sets/transition-isaac-haines-rifle

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2018, 05:40:46 AM »

Pete: What are you planning to do with the rifle? Hunt or target shoot? or do historic reenactment ? That decision might lead to your solution of the dilemma. Just saying, Hugh Toenjes

Old Salt · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2018, 06:07:17 AM »

Being history correct is some times a problem. You need to look at the persona you are going to portray. Are you going portray an individual on your own, or a member of a company brigade?
If you are going as an individual, you can carry just about any thing that was available at that time.
If you are going as member of a co. brigade you would more than likely carry a smooth bore as that is what the company would have provided.
As was ask before what is going to be you major use of the rifle. That will be the major factor of what you carry.

Old Salt

OldMtnMan · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2018, 02:19:52 PM »

I was looking at the Jim Chambers kit for the Isaac Haines. Siler lock and a Rice barrel seems like a good pick. I'm open to other kits. His has the option of LH and .54 cal.

I plan to hunt for cow elk and maybe muleys too. Postal shoots, the Colorado State shoot, and club shoots. Not sure about reenactments. I'm more into the shooting part.

For a persona, I could follow my own life. Born and brought up in Mass. A hunter who buys an Isaac Haines and gets married. After a while gets a divorce and heads west. He settles in Colorado and builds a cabin and lives off the land. My best friend is a Lakota Indian and we hunt elk together. That would fit my persona too.

How's that sound? Let's say moving to Colorado around 1810. Does that work or should I make it later?

Frank · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2018, 03:12:08 PM »

Jim Chambers is the kit I would choose. Much better quality than the ready of them. Plus Jim stands behind his stuff. If there are any problems Jim will make it right, no questions asked.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2018, 03:33:04 PM »

None of the above suggestions have anything to do with Mass. They are all PA rifles. There are books out there with rifles made in Mass., you ought to get some research info to learn about them. There are no kits that I'm aware of that are Mass rifles.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2018, 04:50:54 PM »

Pete,

Re calibre, for good hunting results and ease of carry, I'd say a .54 at any rate. (Bigger hole, lighter barrel)
Rifle style I can't say, as I'm no expert of Mass. guns.
I Do know that rifles were sometimes traded for work, such as clearing land, and a young lad from Mass. Could have been employed clearing land/splitting rails in PA.....
I suppose you can make your scenario whatever you wish to fit your choice, but the Chambers I Haines kit is one of the best, and would make a V nice, not too long or heavy, rifle.
Just don't get it tarted up too much!....bit carving, yes, (not too much) and no metal inlays besides furniture. :-)

OldMtnMan · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2018, 06:04:05 PM »

Fancy is not my style. I like nice wood but that's about it. I was thinking of a wood patch box instead of brass.

OldMtnMan · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2018, 06:11:06 PM »

Quote from: Mike Brooks on August 31, 2018, 03:33:04 PM

None of the above suggestions have anything to do with Mass. They are all PA rifles. There are books out there with rifles made in Mass., you ought to get some research info to learn about them. There are no kits that I'm aware of that are Mass rifles.

I'm going to have to compromise. Finding a rifle that was made in Mass and offered in a good kit. Plus, in .54 and LH. It's a lot to ask. I'll just assume I took a trip to PA to buy the gun. Originally, I was going with a Hawken. That would have been a big stretch. The Isaac Haines is exactly what I was looking for and offered by Jim is a huge plus.

I just sold a crossbow, so I have half the money. Now to save the rest. I should get it built by spring. Plenty of time for a couple of shoots and get ready for the elk hunt.

Old Salt · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2018, 07:56:05 PM »

OldMtnMan

I would suggest you say that you inherited the rifle or that you worked for it in trade. To say that bought it would suggest that you had or came from money. [That rifle would have cost more than a years wages for the average working man.] Being a working man would make your story about living off the land little more believable.

Mauser06 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2018, 11:02:41 PM »

I'd have the build commissioned based on the style of rifle that I liked and was comfortable for me to shoot and carry. I wouldn't worry about "a story" to make up with it. Especially considering one rifle you plan to shoot and hunt with regularly.

Just my thoughts.

louieparker · « **Reply #16 on:** September 01, 2018, 12:39:43 AM »

If you are looking for a top builder from MA., I would suggest Thomas Earle.. LP

OldMtnMan · « **Reply #17 on:** September 01, 2018, 01:28:59 AM »

Quote from: Old Salt on August 31, 2018, 07:56:05 PM

OldMtnMan

I would suggest you say that you inherited the rifle or that you worked for it in trade. To say that bought it would suggest that you had or came from money. [That rifle would have cost more than a years wages for the average working man.] Being a working man would make your story about living off the land little more believable.

I wasn't poor when married and living in Mass when I bought the rifle. Although I had no idea it was that expensive.

Going to Colorado and living off the land is a choice. Not because of being poor. Although i'm not sure what someone would do for work at that time? I'm sure I would have trapped for myself too.

Your point is taken.

OldMtnMan · « **Reply #18 on:** September 01, 2018, 01:30:34 AM »

Quote from: Mauser06 on August 31, 2018, 11:02:41 PM

I'd have the build commissioned based on the style of rifle that I liked and was comfortable for me to shoot and carry. I wouldn't worry about "a story" to make up with it. Especially considering one rifle you plan to shoot and hunt with regularly.

Just my thoughts.

That is the bottom line. This will be the first and last gun that will be built for me. I want to get it right.

OldMtnMan · « **Reply #19 on:** September 01, 2018, 01:37:39 AM »

Quote from: louieparker on September 01, 2018, 12:39:43 AM

If you are looking for a top builder from MA., I would suggest Thomas Earle.. LP

No, i'm looking for the proper gun to build. I have a builder and it doesn't have to be from Mass. Originally, it would have been built by Haines. I kind of gave up on the idea of a Mass gun. A gun I could have bought back in the day is close enough.

I could come up with a better story if I was going to do re-enactments. I don't think I will. A Hawken of Trade Rifle would fit in better for that around here.

Sometimes a compromise needs to be made because of what's available to them.

smallpatch · « **Reply #20 on:** September 01, 2018, 01:39:43 AM »

Ok, everyone seems set on getting you a kit to have assembled. Not sure why, but any good builder can build what you want from scratch.
Find a good builder, explain what you want, and let him build it for you.
Like you said, this is a once in a lifetime thing. Do it right.
Massachusetts, Colorado, Hawken, you have to decide that part.

OldMtnMan · « **Reply #21 on:** September 01, 2018, 03:06:26 AM »

My builder does good work and i'm getting it for free. For someone trying to live on a Social Security check that's really important. I couldn't afford to have this done any other way. The builder is a really good guy who likes to make dreams come true. This has been a dream of mine for quite a while. I don't want him to have to build it from scratch. Building a good kit is more than I thought i'd ever get. I'm 75 and this is my last shot at it.

Owning a Jim Chambers kit is more than I thought i'd ever own and the Isaac Haines suits me perfect for multiple reasons. It clicks all my boxes. I started with the idea of a Mass gun but I see that won't work. Owning a gun I really want is more than satisfying.

Hopefully, that's more understandable.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #22 on:** September 01, 2018, 03:48:54 AM »

Go for it Pete, and don't get sidetracked.

Good luck and we want to see it finished as bad as you do!

RE. Colorado,
Back then, anyone there came from the east, so no worries on and Eastern rifle.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #23 on:** September 01, 2018, 11:14:03 AM »

You ought to go with Chambers new England fowler. Probably the most likely gun your ancestor would have owned while in Mas. Unlikely he would have traveled clear to PA to see Haines for a rifle. Mass. didn't have a rifle culture anyway to any extent.

conquerordie · « **Reply #24 on:** September 01, 2018, 04:28:37 PM »

So why is a New England rifle out of the question? It's from Massachusettes, early 19th century in time period. They were made for militia duty from what I've read on this site, but let's face it, a rifle can be used to hunt too! And it's technically a longrifle! Look up Silas Allen or Mason rifles. You have to have a builder do it unless you want to start gunstocking yourself, but it would fit all your criteria.
Greg

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Author Topic: Question For The Experts (Read 5835 times)