This i post I s a little long in the tooth,a little like me,but an interesting subject,similar to the old time rod or motorcycle ( chopper) builder,hard to really define.i built a few kits in the past and learned things. To be a true flintlock or percussion gunsmith is to be a blacksmith of some ability also,like our famous Wallace, a master of many disciplines of metal work.I was a master farrier at one time,but there were other better master farriers and my back quit first,since then I’ve been a hobby blacksmith when the skill is needed for my various projects,I’m also a woodworker of some skill,a leather worker,a brass worker,a Horner,none would I consider a master level ,as a rifle shooter I have attained an expert grade in one discipline,but not master yet.
However in 2019 I built the crowning achievement of my muzzleloader building,I think it’s beautiful as do many others ,but it’s not a master grade rifle,but I am satisfied . Though I see the mistakes I made each time and the achievements I made each time I use and handle it ,I am happy.
I finished and fitted it using all rough cast parts,but I did not cast them,I fitted and inletted the lock and trigger system ,with hand chisels ,but I did not make the lock or trigger mechanism,( L&R) I did make the stock from a board of high grade curly maple using a bandsaw,hand chisels and rasps and files and a electric hand drill( I don’t advise curly maple as a first time handchisel choice!) those who know know this! I the middle of fitting the lock,a second of impatience,and chisel duller than it should have been,resulted in a cracked stock on the right side all the way through to the ramrod hole ,I did have the skill and glue to fix it solidly and have shot with many heavy loads it holds up( titebond III!) ,and I did not make the barrel it’s a Lyman GPR barrel which will eventually be returned to its home when I buy a custom .54 barrel.
All this talk is to illustrate what gunbuilder or gunsmith can be or better yet was in the flintlock era.many were Wallace Gisslers but many were also guys who built guns using barrels made by barrel making blacksmiths or locks made by…locksmiths who mostly made locks ,these parts especially rifled barrels were often made by guys who were specialists and sort of like today got orders from gunsmiths for locks ,barrels and even flints, many in America,though did make them…Lock,Stock and barrel ,but if youYou didn’t,couldn’t or can’t do it all don’t feel bad ,not everybody did !
