Homemade flintlock Rifle Build Along

[rich pierce]

This is the kind of thing magazines like Mother Earth News would love for an article. A real do-it-yourself story of self reliance. Different audience. Many here like to see this project and your ingenuity. But given the core interest of this forum - historical long rifles and their re-creation- it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Obviously you’re not trying to replicate original designs beyond “make a flintlock that functions.” Folks will try to “convert you” because they see a lot of skill, ingenuity, and drive.

[Craig Wilcox]

"But it doesn't look like one from 1778!"  Balderdash!  I admire your creativity and ability to make things that, though they might not look like 18th century, nevertheless - it functions just the same!

Some of the hints and suggestions are really good - but you use your own judgement.  A 2025 Corvette does not look like an old Model T, but they both drive and steer.

[Pierce]

Well i shortened the jaws on the cock a bit and also rounded them, to make it look more historical, reduce weight, and improve where the flint strikes just a bit. I also blued it. It all functions very smoothly and gets very good spark. Im going to start working on the stock today.

[Pierce]

Is this an acceptable side profile?

[Leatherbark]

You need a wider board like a 2 x 12 to get more drop and a more comfortable cheek weld.  That is why the older rifle in your other picture has such a high rear sight.  It was probably needed to get it to shoot comfortably.

[Pierce]

No I made that rear sight like that on my old one to use as a long range sight. Its a long v notch with multiple tic marks going down it so you can be consistent with elavation at distances. That one shoots very comfortably. Also the funny thing is that with that side profile I drew on that wood was dang near an exact copy of a historical drawing I was given. It has the same amount of drop, I pretty much traced it haha. This is a smaller gun. It is only going to have a 20" barrel so I guess that may be why it seems so low.

[Pierce]

I finished up the main trigger on the trigger assembly. All I've gotta do now is make the set trigger and the set trigger spring

[JTR]

You have some skill in fabricating parts and pieces for your rifles, but I wonder if you have a reason for straying so far from the traditional and historical shape and form found on the original rifles?
John

[Pierce]

You have some skill in fabricating parts and pieces for your rifles, but I wonder if you have a reason for straying so far from the traditional and historical shape and form found on the original rifles?
John

I guess I dont understand what you mean. The lock and the trigger mechanism is pretty close to what was made historically. Also there were very large variations from gun to gun. Each gunsmith had their own personal touch. I guess I'm not necessarily trying to copy someone else's work entirely. Why not make it my own? Its beautiful and it functions. Also I dont have access to my forge so I do have to get creative with some of the parts. I have to work with what I've got....which was very much so done historically. To argue my work isn't historically accurate is nonsense. Sure I'm not copying someone else's work entirely, but if you have ever made anything you would know that you cant possibly copy someone's work entirely.

[JTR]

Well thanks for answering. And if you see your work as historically accurate, more power to you.
Click on the link below to go to our library of original rifles here, and see some actual historic long rifles for comparison, and consider how they might help you in your work.

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?board=111.0

[PEARL DRUMS]

Keep up the great work. I appreciate everything you are doing. Don’t care what “school” it fits in or doesn’t. I don’t post my work for that very reason. I create not copy.