Another upcoming kit

[Kmcmichael]

At last! I have been wanting to start my dueling career! .54 sounds great to me.
Glad you finally did this.

[alacran]

Lots of interesting comments and suggestions. I suppose what you intend to use a pistol for has a lot to do with what a person would like to have.
If you want a pistol for serious target shooting anything above .45 caliber is too big. If you want a pistol as a backup for hunting anything below .54 is too small. The compromises for production may dictate a standard profile barrel which will make smaller caliber pistols too heavy.
There are lot of variables for Jim to consider. 

[Bob Roller]

The German muzzle loading target pistols made by Helmut Mohr were 31 caliber in flint or percussion and most of them used locks I made over a long span of time.Economy loading for sure,
Bob Roller

[homerifle]

Jim, that is a good representation of the Winchester Virginia school. A few modifications on the sights could be made but are very close in location to originals of the period. Leaving it with less inlays would work for the majority of people buying it. That would leave it as an open canvas to those that would like to add inlays or maybe a little wire work. Brass furniture for sure.

[Daryl]

While I usually agree 100% with what alacran posts, here I have to differ.
Taylor built a Hawken pistol in the 70's that has an 18" rate of twist. It is .60 cal. We have both shot 50/50 3 to 4X with that pistol at 25 yards, standard pistol target(I think)
 We used 25gr. Powder, .020" patch and a .595" ball. He did make a .45val. Barrel for it for target but for serious competition  it wears the .60 cal. barrel.
I agree a backup pistol should be .54 or larger. I would suggest a piece of rifle barrel  to have to use heavier charges of powder, especially on bear. You would want it to count.

[alacran]

Standard course if for pistol competition is 10 shots @ 25 yards and 10 shots at 50 yards off one hand in 30 minutes.
 I didn't say a .60 would not be accurate but it will wear you out.
I have never seen a period painting or drawing depicting pistol shooting with two hands.
Shooting a pistol with 2 hands is a fairly modern concept.
Up to at least the early 70s US Army qualification with a 1911 was one handed.

[Daryl]

2 hands is the way we were taught, as hitting quickly was the goal, 6 times, then reload and 6 more if necessary.

[The Pathfinder]

Dang it, Jim, I just talked myself out of ordering someone else's pistol kit, now I know I'm going to be ordering a couple of yours once they become available. 54 in curly maple with brass furniture, please.

[Daryl]

Sounds like an excellent choice to me.
One for each hand.

[Bob Gerard]

It occurred to me, after reading through the comments, that should Jim want to give some thought about reproducing a Brown Bess, particularly the 2nd Model that most Rev War reenactors use, they could sell like hotcakes. (Word of mouth in the hobby would also be free and positive advertising). With so much attention paid to “historical correctness” in the hobby, yet nearly everyone is walking around with bad-to-horrible reproduction muskets, this would separate the men from the boys and present a “ historically correct” option for thousands of reenactors.
Just a thought!

[Enfield]

99% of all Brown Bess are from Italy..... Just to say...

[Jim Kibler]

I’ll make a Brown Bess.  Help me get hold of an outstanding example and it will happen faster!

[Bob Roller]

Add a belt hook so it can be carried loaded and primed.A 54 caliber back up,sort of?

Bob Roller

[Hudnut]

I’ll make a Brown Bess.  Help me get hold of an outstanding example and it will happen faster!

There you go!  Who has a fine example?

[5judge]

Mr. Kibler: I've a pattern 1756 Long Land, a Grice 1759 product. It's in decent shape, unmolested, and its only flaw is that the muzzle was trimmed back perhaps half an inch. The barrel is engraved "40 REGt Ft", a unit roughly handed in the January, 1777 Battle of Princeton, perhaps where it changed hands. Am open to discussing a loan for your proposed project.

[Bob Gerard]

Exciting!!! I know wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to get a Kibler Bess kit, and pretty darn sure there would be a wait list a mile long for one 👍🏻

[Brazos de Dios]

I would prefer it in.58 smooth. This may be possible by having the .54 barrel bored smooth depending on the depth of the lands and the depth of the sight cuts.

Please use shallow sight cuts!

[Jim Kibler]

Mr. Kibler: I've a pattern 1756 Long Land, a Grice 1759 product. It's in decent shape, unmolested, and its only flaw is that the muzzle was trimmed back perhaps half an inch. The barrel is engraved "40 REGt Ft", a unit roughly handed in the January, 1777 Battle of Princeton, perhaps where it changed hands. Am open to discussing a loan for your proposed project.

Wow!  A generous and exciting possibility.  Let’s talk!

[5judge]

judgefox29@gmail.com

[duca]

This is so exciting

[Rt5403]

If you could make a good 1816 springfield in flint and one of the common conversions the ACW community would go nuts lol.

[Leatherbark]

A Charleville would be more American. Slightly.  Just think.  No barrel underlugs. No inletting for the underlugs.  No pins (for the barrel that is).  Just CNC the stock and lay the barrel in it and slide on the bands.  I haven't forgot about the band spring inlets.   I figure a Charleville would be much cheaper and easier to CNC manufacture than a Bess since it is all steel and no brass. The three barrel bands capture the rammer so no thimbles to make. Manufacturing both it and the Bess at the same time just in time for the 250th anniversary.  Yes, put Pedersoli out of the Bess and Charleville business.

Bob

[mikeyr]

is there a timeframe for this pistol, I didn't see it mentioned.

[ColonialRifleSmith]

Nice. Any thoughts on calibers? 2 things, I would personally prefer pins to wedges. I reenact as early as F&I War. Pins would be more accurate for an earlier period, and I hope you keep it flintlock for the same reason, or perhaps interchangeable. That feature would appeal to both enthusiasts.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

The only way to make a convertible pistol (or rifle) is to have two barrels and two locks fit to the single stalk.  Removing a vent liner and installing a drum and nipple will destroy the threads that secure them in very quick order. 
I have two barrels for my Chambers' Mark Silver Virginia rifle complete with tangs...a .50 cal (rifle weighs a little over 10 pounds), and a .60 cal...considerably lighter.  Both use the rifle's flint lock.