[Isaac D Rainey]

Besides the Rifle Shoppe, Bolek Maciaszczyk, Pirate Fashions, and Armin Koenig, what are some other gun makers? Specifically I am searching for firearms of the pike-and-shot era. Also if you wish, you can just show us your own pre-19th century firearms, replica or original.

[Michael Kelly]

One of the periods I'm a nerd for is early Colonial America (F&I War especially). So my experience with matchlocks is limited, but generally speaking what I'll tell you is accurate across the board.

To begin with, if you're looking for an accurate and reliable reproduction you either better be prepared to build it yourself or [generally speaking] pay somewhere between $3,000 and $10,000. The Rifle Shoppe are parts kits that you will have to inlet, deburr, and build yourself. This requires more skill than you may at first think, but is very doable. I will actually look to do my first build myself when I redeploy next year. Pirate Fashions are Indian made guns and as such use cheap parts and labor. They tend to be much heavier than they should be and many times requires reworking by a competent gunsmith who specializes in BP weapons. A lot of people don't like Indian guns but the reality is good ones can be found if you look. Common problems include poorly hardened frizzens (no spark) and poor fit and finish.

The names you mentioned don't ring a bell, but I'm more familiar with American makers and even then you have to dig around to find out who is competent and who isn't. These smiths don't work cheap. The labor involved can extreme even for some of the more basic guns. And the skill, especially with complex locks like the British Long Land Pattern muskets, costs. These men are true artists in wood and metal and most do everything by hand with the same tools they used in the 18th-Century and before. Besides, the hand carving and inlay work, the fit of the parts have to be right. A poorly made sword may break and in rare unlucky instances cut or stab the wielder, but a poorly made gun has a high probability of maiming or even killing the user.

Good luck in your search.

[Henry R. Gower]

A number of years ago, I owned a U.S. made matchlock that was very well-made and I bought it, for about 500 dollars. I picked it up at an annual black powder meet in Pa. If you put in the words "Matchlock Musket" and "Matchlock Musket for Sale" into a search engine, at least three different US "dealers" come up, offering a nice looking one for 600. dollars. I have no way of knowing where these are made or how good they are. I simply cannot imagine a simple matchlock, like an ordinary soldier would carry, made here, costing more than 800 to 1000. USD, even with today's prices. Of course, a faithful copy of a European original with bone and ebony marquetry inlay would cost many thousands, but I don't think you are looking for that. There is an early colonial/English Civil War reeneactment group that meets late summers in St. Mary's City in the Delmarva Peninsula, they might be online. Networking with them might help you find what you are seeking. There is at least one "outfitter" for early colonial America that carries US made matchlocks, I don't have the name handy. Perhaps look up "colonial era outfitters." I do believe more online research might be fruitful for you. Networking with reenactors may help. There are an amazing number out there-at one reenactment I attended in the UK-"Battle of Naseby"- something like 5000 authentically dressed fellows attended from all over the English speaking world, Australia, US, Canada, amazing !
Cheers.

[GG Osborne]

The costs given as an illustration above are way too high. A typical gun kit from The Rifle Shoppe costs about $1100.00 and for a bit more you can ask Jess to build the lock for you. There are also several good builders known to TRS who will build your kit for prices from around $700-$1000 and this includes British, French, Spanish, etc. flintlocks. The quote I have from Bolek for a wheellock rifle is about $2000 and for a Nuremburg-style "puffer" about $2400 and these are for plain, munition quality.

Personally, I think you can have a very authentic and reliable musket made-up from a matchlock, wheellock opr flintlock for less than $2500.

[Michael Kelly]

[Lin Robinson]

[Terry Thompson]

I have a Rilfe Shoppe hakenbusche. Because there is no lock mechanism it was simple to "assemble".



I also have a handgonne made by John Buck of Musket Mart that was very affordable. This one came mounted but also is just a barrel on a stick (no lock). Solid brass, I think it was only $250 mounted...possibly less. I know John does (or did if he's no longer taking commissions) matchlock construction as well. John prefers to discuss over the phone in my experience. And wouldn't take an order via email unless he talked to you.



Here's an ECW matchlock from John Buck's website:


Ironically, though I was eager to get mine. I'm too cowardly to actually fire these.
-Terry

[Jeffrey Faulk]

If you're looking at guns that someone else builds for you, of course they're not going to be cheap. You're paying for materials, time and knowledge.

Conversely, buying the raw parts and material for a gun is going to be cheaper by default, because the only person concerned with the labour is yourself. If you computed the time you spent on putting together the gun and multiplied it by a per-hour cost, it might suddenly look a bit more expensive.

So I find both examples of the price range to be valid ($3K and up, to under a 1K). It really depends on what the OP wants, though. If he wants a gun that's already made and 'ready to go', then that will cost more than buying a kit and assembling it himself.