Canadian Airgun Forum

.54 in flint, .45 in percussion. Interchangeable locks and barrels.
Percussion on in the box, flint in lower picture.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

I'd be interested in the "lock time" on the flinter side.

Nice kit!

-D.S.

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"Ain't no half-way"
-S.R.V.

The flint ignition is quite fast, but not as fast as a cap-lock. Cap-locks feel like most modern powder burners - feels instantaneous.
There is a definite lag with a flinter. Some are faster than others. To do REALLY accurate shooting with a handgun, as used in competition
at rendezvous, cap-lock is the way to go, which is why I have the conversion. The lag feels longer than what it appears when watching.
Too, the .54 cal barrel(bright, oct./round) is a piece of rifle barrel having a rate of twist of 60". IN order to get decent accuracy with a
round ball, I have to use 55gr. of powder. This puts it roughly in close to the same 'power' range as my 4" .44 mag, with a like weighted
slug, ie: 220gr. That is what the .526" round ball weighs in pure lead.
The .45 cal. (octagon) barrel has an 18" rate of twist, suitable for shooting patched round balls or short slugs & very accurately. I've
managed, from bags, 1 1/2", 5-shot groups at 25 yards with round ball, and with some 200gr. Lee R.E.A.L. slugs, 2 1/2" at 34 yards- 5 shots.
The .54 barrel, shot with 55gr. of 3F powder, runs 1,200fps and roughly 2 1/2" at 25 yards. There are a few lubed R.E.A.L. bullets in the lower
right hand compartment in the box.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

The Flinter's speed can be summed up as:

say - cha-boom. The fastest you can say that, is about typical for a fast flint lock rifle, smoothbore or handgun.
The boom is the gun going off.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

I'd really like one but antique prices are out of reach and obviously a reproduction can't be bought now.

Ideally I'd like an underhammer of 32 cal or 40 cal.

I don't have any pictures, but back in about 1978, I bought a book called: The Pictorial History of the Underhammer Gun, written by Herschel Logan.(that's from memory LOL)
The book has hundreds (it seems) of underhammer rifles, handguns and shotgun as well as pencil drawings of their various actions.
In Feb. of 1979, I moved to Prince George & while staying at my bro's place while looking for a place to live, I built an underhammer pistol, lock, stock and used a piece of rifle barrel.
Complete with one coat of finish, it took 24 hours of straight work - 1 day. The next day I drove out to the correction facility, applied and started work there the next day. Oh, when I
took the pistol into the Detachment to register it, they demanded I get an FAC. Of course I argued that I didn't acquire it, I built it, got a bit heated at times, but they (the Sgt) prevailed
I I also got my FAC that trip. I already had a PC (Possession Certificate) & did not think I needed the FAC. Oh well, history lesson over.
That book is likely still available. If you want the isbn #, I will get it for you.
Had the feeling I had a picture of the book. LOL - found it, here it is.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

I've considered building an underhammer rifle, the action is appealing to me.

Unfortunately can't make a pistol these days unless I'm misunderstanding the rules. Might try to find a junk antique and rebarrel/reline though.

Cap lock rifles and shotguns are considered firearms so a P.A.L. is required for acquisition. That includes underhammer caplocks.
Flintlock long-guns are not considered firearms for the purpose of licensing, just like sub 500fps air rifles.
So: top is an underhammer flintlock - not a firearm
Then pictured are 2 slightly different underhammer caplocks - both firearms.
The bottom one is the Hopkins and Allen action, sold by Numrich Arms, but also was basically, an original action.
Acquisition of any handguns is now prohibited, I think. Might not be to make one, but- likely would be construed as it was back when I made one, as in "You acquired it".

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Best Wishes
Daryl