Price Range & where to find US Revolutionary War long gun

TXAZ · July 4, 2012, 01:39 PM

My Dad is interested in buying a Revolutionary War long gun. I have no clue on where to find one or even the price range. Any pointers to websites or other potential sources?

Thanks.

tahunua001 · July 4, 2012, 01:44 PM

I would say in the high thousands, one in firing condition would be priceless. a good thing to try might be a traditions build it yourself frontier rifle flintlock kit. they are not an FFL item so you can have them shipped right to your door.

here's the kit you get and you build them to suit your tastes

James K · July 4, 2012, 07:58 PM

Actually, something like a Brown Bess, used by both sides in the Revolutionary War, can be had for less than most folks think. A good, though not top condition one will run $2500-3500. Better ones can go higher, of course. And a good original is a guaranteed investment, but caution is needed in the antique market whether the area is guns or furniture or coins.

Replicas of both the Pattern 1756 Brown Bess and the French Model 1763 (supplied to the colonists by the French) have been made and in all respects but age (and price) are the same as those used in the War of Independence.

Unless you and your father have money and are desirous of obtaining original guns, a replica might fill the need.

I suggest a Google search on "Brown Bess" and "Charleville." You will be able to see prices for originals as well as prices and sources for replicas.

While the Pennsylvania (Kentucky) rifle captures the imagination of many Americans, it was slow to load and had no bayonet, so it was not much used in the war. Carried by men from the wild frontier areas, like Western PA, it inspired some fear in British officers for its accuracy in long range sniping, but the war was won by the Americans adopting the European style of fighting and the muskets that went with it, not by frontiersmen with long rifles.

Jim

Slamfire · July 4, 2012, 08:42 PM

Pedersoli makes high quality replicas of the Brown Bess and the Charleville Musket. These are made of better materials than the originals. Originals used wrought iron for virtually everything except for brass fittings, springs and frizzen. Modern muskets will at least be steel. And you can shoot one without worrying about some old seam in the barrel opening up.

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/tipo...rown-bess.html

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/tipo...arleville.html

benogil · July 5, 2012, 12:21 AM

Jackson's Armory in Dallas would be a good starting place.

July 4, 2012, 01:39 PM	#1
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	Price Range & where to find US Revolutionary War long gun My Dad is interested in buying a Revolutionary War long gun. I have no clue on where to find one or even the price range. Any pointers to websites or other potential sources? Thanks. __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

July 4, 2012, 01:44 PM	#2
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	I would say in the high thousands, one in firing condition would be priceless. a good thing to try might be a traditions build it yourself frontier rifle flintlock kit. they are not an FFL item so you can have them shipped right to your door. here's the kit you get and you build them to suit your tastes __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

July 4, 2012, 08:42 PM	#4
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Pedersoli makes high quality replicas of the Brown Bess and the Charleville Musket. These are made of better materials than the originals. Originals used wrought iron for virtually everything except for brass fittings, springs and frizzen. Modern muskets will at least be steel. And you can shoot one without worrying about some old seam in the barrel opening up. http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/tipo...rown-bess.html http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/tipo...arleville.html __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

July 4, 2012, 07:58 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Actually, something like a Brown Bess, used by both sides in the Revolutionary War, can be had for less than most folks think. A good, though not top condition one will run $2500-3500. Better ones can go higher, of course. And a good original is a guaranteed investment, but caution is needed in the antique market whether the area is guns or furniture or coins. Replicas of both the Pattern 1756 Brown Bess and the French Model 1763 (supplied to the colonists by the French) have been made and in all respects but age (and price) are the same as those used in the War of Independence. Unless you and your father have money and are desirous of obtaining original guns, a replica might fill the need. I suggest a Google search on "Brown Bess" and "Charleville." You will be able to see prices for originals as well as prices and sources for replicas. While the Pennsylvania (Kentucky) rifle captures the imagination of many Americans, it was slow to load and had no bayonet, so it was not much used in the war. Carried by men from the wild frontier areas, like Western PA, it inspired some fear in British officers for its accuracy in long range sniping, but the war was won by the Americans adopting the European style of fighting and the muskets that went with it, not by frontiersmen with long rifles. Jim

July 5, 2012, 12:21 AM	#5
benogil Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Posts: 131	Jackson's Armory in Dallas would be a good starting place.