Looking for help with period correct rifles

[The_micked_kettle1]

Hey, all, a friend of mine and I are looking at getting into reenacting, but, I'm having a bit of trouble finding imformation on different rifle configurations and when they would have been present. I know percussions didn't really come into vogue amongst the trappers until later on, but, as far as the flints go, what would be my timeframe for a few different styles? Say the kentucky and the hawken halfstock? Additionally, what would be period correct furniture? Was brass popular on rifles? Or was cast iron the go to option?

[Dogshirt]

It will depend on your time frame. What period do you want to portray? While a Kentucky may fit in the fur trade era, a Hawken would be out of place for the F&I war or Revolutionary periods. So that will be your first determining factor.

[The_micked_kettle1]

What would be the correct time period for a hawken halfstock? We're probably going to be portraying around the 1820s, I think. Of course, that's ot a firm thing, just more of a rough idea right now.

[beowulf]

this might help a bit , http://www.nramuseum.com/guns/the-galleries/a-prospering-new-republic-1780-to-1860/case-9-the-plains-rifle/samuel-hawken-plains-rifle.aspx

[beowulf]

this is a good one ! http://www.mtmen.org/mtman/museum/guns/guns.html

[old salt]

The hawken halfstock would be correct form about 1830 to the end of the fur trade. If you are going to portray the fur mountain man era and the group you get involved with strict about being period correct you would need to tell them you are starting about 1830 time. Now if they what we call thread counters, most of them will hold you to hand sewn clothing in clouding the proper no. of stitching  per inch. Most of the groups will not be that bad, but you should ask before joining. If you choose the strict group then you will want a Pennsylvania/Kentucky stile or even a smooth bore. I hope I have not turned you off of reenacting but it is not something I would suggest jumping in all at once.

Old Salt

[The_micked_kettle1]

I was looking at a kentucky style, I just love the look of the hawken style. Not that I'm opposed to the kentucky. I assume the flint would be more period correct than a cap for round  the 30s?

[Dogshirt]

The percussion cap was introduced about 1820.

[beowulf]

it all comes down too early fur trade , or late fur trade ! anything after about 1825 or so cap should be accepted , but flint was preferred by many as it was easier to obtain . half stock ,full  stock , even an old military musket is proper ! and if you go with the long rifle , there are dozens of styles to choose from ! I like them all , but my favorite is the southern mountain rifle !  even an old bess would fit in , get a used one in good condition at a fraction of the cost of new ,  and if it`s too long shorten it ! lot of muskets were cut down to make carry on horseback a little easier , and though they may not be as accurate as a rifle beyond 100 yards , that .69 too .75 caliber ball is bloody impressive !

[Watauga]

The_micked_kettle1     Glad you are getting into this Obsession you will have grand adventures and have the finest friends..     Do a lot of Research and ask some of the people already involved in the era you wish to reenact..Sometime they have what you need or know someone getting Out or changing Persona and era and you can find some awesome deals that way....
An 1803 Harper's Ferry could work and would be good back to 1803 and up to even Early US Civil war if you are a Confederate...Thanks to A. P. Hill !
A British trade Gun will get you into the 1760's or so and a French Fusil de chasse could work from 1690s till well after the war of 1812...
And the 1728 French Infantry musket  or even a Brown Bess....   Lots of Options!,..  and also Lots of Dollars....  Have fun!