Buying used muzzleloaders

[Gil Martin]

My favorite gun shop gets in used muzzleloaders from time to time and sells them at very attractive prices. I managed to get a mint .50 T/C Hawken flintlock for $100.00. A pair of Lyman Great Plains Rifles cost me a about $188.00 each. I gave all of these rifles very careful inspections in the shop. Upon arriving home, they were completely disassembled, thoroughly cleaned and the wood treated with boiled linseed oil. Once reassembled they look like new.

I have noticed a few things about some used muzzleloaders:

The bores on some are rusted and pitted due to apparent improper cleaning methods used by prior owners. I never buy rifles with bad bores.

Jaw screws may have defaced slots from attempts to tighten them with either an ill-fitting screwdrivers or too much torque. Their is a hole in the jaw screw that will allow tightening it with a finishing nail or small allen wrench and save the screw slot.

Even in cases where the bores are properly cleaned, one often encounters surface rust on the barrel and lock areas. Seems the cleaning process was incomplete.

Touch hole bushings usually need to be replaced, if you can get them out.

Finally, sight bases may be marred by attempts to adjust windage by using improper tools.

All of these things except damaged bores can be corrected easily. All the best...
Gil