Milsurp After Hours

Been thinking about buying myself a muzzle loader.
l always wanted to own and shoot one.
I checked Dutch and German gun shops in the last couple of months for an original muzzle loader.
Original meaning, not being a replica.
Reason for this is that an original one doesn't need a license.
I found a couple alright, but they were a bit too expensive for my budget.
So..........I decided to buy a replica.
This however means that I have to sell one of my fire arms on my shooters license.
We are allowed to own 5 and there are already 5 on my license.
I guess I'll have to sell my Mosin Nagant M91/30.
This one will have to make place for something like this.
Check this link.
It's a German auction site, but there are some great pictures that will tell the story.


http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=3326975

I'm still not sure what I'm going to buy, but this looks like something I'd like to own and shoot.
It's not only the rifle, but I have to buy all the necessary accessories too.

I'm not happy that I'll have to sell one of my Mosin Nagants, but I think I'll get something back that I will love to take to the range.

I'm completely new to muzzle loaders, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.

I'll keep you all posted.


Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Martin, that looks a good bit like the Spanish made Kentucky rifle I bought in kit form in 1994. I decorated it up with a patch box and inlays and a different side plate. Mine is 50 caliber and was distributed under the Connecticut Valley label although made in Spain.

Mine is still fun to shoot and I like it as well as some of my much more expensive BP rifles. The only drawback is the two piece stock. See that sliver of brass just behind the rear sight? The rifle tends to want to pull apart there after firing a few times. This two piece stock can be fixed with some glue and isn't a large problem...but it is an indication of a cheaper stock. You will want to add a better nipple and maybe decorate it up a bit.

If it is much the same as mine it wouldn't be a bad choice as a start in BP rifles. However, if you can only have one...maybe if you were to step up a bit to maybe a Lyman Great Plains rifle or something in that class.

Bearing in mind that you are only allowed 5 on your ticket Martin, I strongly advise that you make the final choice with your brain and not your hart!
Here are a few sites that should help you a lot with the choice. If I was going to be that serious about a ML long arm I would put Davide Pedersoli at the top of your list. I don't think they get any better.

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/guns-fo ... i.asp?l=en
http://www.naturabuy.fr/browse.php?id=0
http://www.henrykrank.com
http://www.unifrance.fr
http://www.artax.net/
http://tecmagex.com/en/
http://www.frankonia.de/waffen/vorderla ... ylist.html

That should give you some reading!!

As for the 'bits' to go with it, readily available all over the place.
Firstly I would suggest casting your own bullets. All you need is an old pan, gas burner, ladle, mold and wooden mallet.
Percussion caps, nipples and cleaning kit are things that the individual tends to sort himself as with powder.
Your re-loading kit - scales etc will be fine for BP.

If you want more info, Skype me and I will help you all I can. I am going to Italy on holiday in September and am going to pay a visit to Pedersoli in case you need anything!

Martin,

I just loaded up the Pedersoli site ready to post it but Duncan beat me to it. Second all that he says and half his luck in being able to visit; from what I've heard they are a very helpful company.

Thanks for the pictures Robert and Duncan....thanks for the links and advice.
I really appreciate that.
I will keep Pedersoli in mind in case I decide to go for a replica.
My first choice however will be an original.
In my previous post I wrote that I checked many Dutch and German gun shops and auction sites.
I can add Belgian and French to the list now.
I noticed however that I didn't think about the US shops and auction sites.
If a BP firearm is considered an antique in the US it's no problem exporting it to the Netherlands.
Should have thought about that a bit earlier.

So…………I will keep checking US auction sites and if anyone sees or hears anything please let me know.
Thanks again.


Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Aughnanure wrote:Martin,

I just loaded up the Pedersoli site ready to post it but Duncan beat me to it. Second all that he says and half his luck in being able to visit; from what I've heard they are a very helpful company.

I noticed your post a bit late, but thank you very much Eoin.
My first choice remains an original, but I will put Pedersoli on top of my list when it comes to replicas.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

In the US the biggest name in BP guns and related products is Dixie Gun Works. They show on the internet that they ship to foreign countries for an extra charge. They have both new and antique arms and have a wide range of prices.

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/

In the US , or course, BP guns are shipped through the mail and no firearms license is needed. Don't know what the rules to shipping to foreign countries are or what your country would expect of you if you wanted to get one from some place foreign to you.

Thanks Robert.
A couple of years ago I bought a Dutch Beaumont rifle in the US.
This BP rifle doesn't need a license in both the US and the Netherlands.
To avoid problems during transport I asked and received a letter in English from our customs office stating that the Beaumont rifle doesn't need a license and can be imported without any problems.
I scanned and mailed this letter to the exporter and received a package 2 weeks later.
The only thing I had to do was pay 20% import tax over the amount on the bill.
So.......exporting shouldn't be a problem.
It just takes time, some extra money and a seller that I can trust.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

Aughnanure wrote:Martin,

I just loaded up the Pedersoli site ready to post it but Duncan beat me to it. Second all that he says and half his luck in being able to visit; from what I've heard they are a very helpful company.

I e.mailed them through their site and explained that I would be on holiday on Lake Garda and asked if I could visit. The said "Of Course, just let us know when you will be here"

New page on Pedersoli's site.

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/notizie ... -guns.html