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Knockoffs

REC
I have been considering attempting to assemble/re-assemble an old flintlock using period correct parts. As I shop around, I have found a number of parts that look almost too good for the age they are supposed to be. Is there enough of a market for these parts/guns that I need to worry about buying knockoff parts? Is there some reference guide that would help me establish originality? Thanks for any help or advise.
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6 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    Repo parts for various types of black powder muzzle loaders, have been on the market from at least the 50's, when Dixie Gun Works got started.


    Since your assembling it and it's not original anyway, what the heck difference does it make if you use repo parts or not.


    Get hold of some of the old Dixie catalogs. Turner Kirkland when he was still alive put a lot of information in about the parts, and their origins.
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  • REC
    Rufe,

    Thanks for the input. Like any hobby project such as this, in my opinion half the fun is looking for the various parts and working with items that were actually produced centuries ago. I know that when complete the product would likely have less value than the sum of it's parts.

    I guess my question is: Is there a real problem with people making and selling antique gun parts which they advertise as being original and how best to avoid them. I recognize my knowledge is really limited at this point and am just looking for pointers on how to educate myself. Getting the old Dixie catalogs is a great idea! Thanks again for your thoughts.
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  • He Dog
    There certainly are knock-off and forgeries out there, but most seem to be mostly one-off kinds of things, unless foreign produced. There are some exceptions. I have seen more old shotguns marked Wells Fargo and being offered as authentic at gunshows, than Wells Fargo ever owned.

    As long as you do not represent your work as being old or antique, I see no problem. I am not sure the market would be large, many reinactors build their own or have peices custom built by known makers. After a while you could be one of those.
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  • upjumtddebl
    Turner Kirkland got his start selling turn of the century new old stock found in Europe or so the story goes
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  • edharold
    Flintlocks were made before Eli Whitney developed mass production of identical rifles so each part was crafted to the gun being made so identical parts are unlikely. What ever part you get may or may not be capable of being hand fitted to your individual rifle.
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  • rhmc24
    Eye-opener time, have a look: http://therifleshoppe.com/

    Parts for many types of old guns are available, from matchlock, wheellock, flint and perc, plus a few in-between types. Parts come in rough cast condition for a careful worker to finish and assemble. I have seen some beautiful repro done from their parts and have done a few myself.

    Apparently a significant part of the demand for certain 'period' pieces is by the re-enactor community.
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