The Armour Archive

I know they are out there, but it's a secret ...

I am building a matchlock c1642 for myself, I am looking for sources of replica, useable barrels. I heard Dixie carried one, but it seems they do not.

I'm after an octagonal to round, smooth bore, 62 or larger caliber.

Thanks in advance,

Eric

Try Track of the Wolf, good folks, and they're very knowledgeable so you can call and get good info before you buy.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/

You might have to get a local machine shop to mill an octogon barrel for you. Dixie used to carry such a barrel but I haven't looked at the catalog for years. The place I used to shoot at is now an industrail park and I have to travel too far just to shoot.

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The artisan formerly known as Willing Pell, then Juan Santell and then Willing Pell again. Hey, Prince could do it, why not me?

I second the recommendation for track of the wolf - excellant firm
If you want to do some nosing around you can also try green mountain rifle works
http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/sitemap.htm

BTW - if you haven't done a lot with black powder up through now you should do some research on use/storage/maintanence.
It's a great hobby, but it's also easy enough to do some damage to yourself or your posessions if you're not carefull. It's a relatively unforgiving subtance to deal with.
If you haven't used it before I strongly recommend Sam Fadalas "Complete Black Powder Handbook" - I recommend it to anyone taking up muzzleloaders

Eric plays with our local ECW group- a lot of experience there on blackpowder use, but none of the local guys makes guns (until now, at least )

Have you talked to anyone in the San Diego Muzzle Loader's club?

Talk to a man named Dale Shinn in Northern California.

Also, try here:

http://www.therifleshoppe.com/matchlocks.htm

They have possibly the most extensive line of muzzleloader parts available. They can be a bit slow, but they have an otherwise sterling reputation.

Eric,
Track is your best bet unless you want to deal direct with Getz or Colerain (LONG!!! waitning list). The barrel to get is the Colerain Fowler, 44", 12 ga.; or the Colerain Griffin fowler, 42", 12 ga. Most ECW muskets are .72 to .78, 16 ga. is a bit to small. 12 ga. with a .715 ball is surpringly accurate, and patched shoots quite good. The Rifle Shop has delivery problems with a great many of their parts and there are occasional problems with their castings (personal experience)
If you send me your e-mail, I can send you inside and out photos of a circa 1640 repro matchlock lock that I made under the tutelage of Dale Shinn (I'm his aprentice)


alail/scott

smccartney@midtown.net
haenterprises@midtown.net

Dixie Gun Works has always been my favorite.

Have you thought of doing a drawing of it and commission a local machine shop to machine it?

Ask for 4140 steel; make the walls good and thick.

I love the smell of black powder in the morning.

Hal