Anyone have a rifle built by palongrifles, Bill Rooks?

dangerclose · June 7, 2009, 10:38 AM

Anyone have any experience with Bill Rooks at palongrifles? By the website he does nice work and knows his stuff about flintlocks. I have exchanged some emails with him about building a rifle soon and is very knowledgeable.

Thanks,
Casey

arcticap · June 9, 2009, 09:10 PM

http://palongrifles.com/

dangerclose · June 10, 2009, 11:31 PM

Thank you, I know about his site. But was wondering if anyone has one of his rifles or experience with him?

arcticap · June 11, 2009, 07:34 PM

You can probably track down a couple of people who have dealt wth Bill Rooks over on the Muzzle Loading Forum. I searched there and found a thread about a "Killdeer" rifle that Bill Rooks built and I've embedded the pictures and quoted the relevant text below:

Quote:

At long last actual pics of the LOTM "Killdeer" rifle, have been unearthed. I made contact with a "Killdeer" owner who had his built by Bill Rooks. He graciously sent me these photos of his rifle to use for my own "Killdeer" rifle project that Oldarmy is building for me.
Thought I'd share these with all of you. Photos courtesy of Mike Rogers.

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fu...hl/rooks/tp/1/

Quote:

I came across Bill Rooks who used to make replicas of it. He doesnt make them anymore but he can give you specs and a traced outline of it if you ask him. He got that tracing from the original builder of the "Killdeer" gun Wayne Watson.

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fu...arch/1/#588383

Quote:

How is Mr Rooks doing ?

I always admired his work.

Last time I talked to him, he said he was going to cut back to 1-2 rifles a year and he wasn't taking anymore orders.

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fu...arch/1/#671758

arcticap · June 11, 2009, 07:38 PM

If registration is needed to read the MLF threads, then just follow my personal referral link to join for free and to obtain access. Then try PM'ing those individuals with a request for information.

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fu...referral/4225/

More pictures of one of Bill Rook's Killdeer rifles are embedded below.

dangerclose · June 12, 2009, 02:59 PM

thanks!

wademc · August 25, 2011, 03:13 PM

I had three rifles built by Bill.

pros- rifles were beautiful to look at.

cons- took 3-4 years to get them when they were promised w/in a year in a 3 gun deal.
Hawken gun- poorly braised under rib/loose barrel pins
Fusil- poor internal lock screws and chipped wood at barrel pins
Virginia- chipped wood at barrel pins.

I know that bill said he got sick and I stuck with him.

cost me $550 in additional gunsmith costs to bring up to speed.

Bishop Creek · August 25, 2011, 09:38 PM

Bill Rooks built a custom flintlock rifle for me about 12 years ago based on the "Killdeer." It was a 1790 Rupp Pennsylvania style with a 47" Getz swamped barrel. Really nice job, although I ended up refinishing the stock myself to make it look more authentic.

June 7, 2009, 10:38 AM	#1
dangerclose Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 113	Anyone have a rifle built by palongrifles, Bill Rooks? Anyone have any experience with Bill Rooks at palongrifles? By the website he does nice work and knows his stuff about flintlocks. I have exchanged some emails with him about building a rifle soon and is very knowledgeable. Thanks, Casey

August 25, 2011, 03:13 PM	#7
wademc Junior Member Join Date: August 25, 2011 Location: Baton rouge Posts: 1	Bill Rooks I had three rifles built by Bill. pros- rifles were beautiful to look at. cons- took 3-4 years to get them when they were promised w/in a year in a 3 gun deal. Hawken gun- poorly braised under rib/loose barrel pins Fusil- poor internal lock screws and chipped wood at barrel pins Virginia- chipped wood at barrel pins. I know that bill said he got sick and I stuck with him. cost me $550 in additional gunsmith costs to bring up to speed.

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June 9, 2009, 09:10 PM	#2
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	http://palongrifles.com/

June 10, 2009, 11:31 PM	#3
dangerclose Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 113	Thank you, I know about his site. But was wondering if anyone has one of his rifles or experience with him?

June 12, 2009, 02:59 PM	#6
dangerclose Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 113	thanks!

August 25, 2011, 09:38 PM	#8
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	Bill Rooks built a custom flintlock rifle for me about 12 years ago based on the "Killdeer." It was a 1790 Rupp Pennsylvania style with a 47" Getz swamped barrel. Really nice job, although I ended up refinishing the stock myself to make it look more authentic.