1816 conversion help

[prestontoprail]

I've been wanting to represent the use of the modified smooth bore for all the early war western federal units I end up portraying. Of course there are not alot of options if you don't plan on hunting down an original and using that in the field. Of course there is the infamous 1840 conversion from Loyalist Arms and i'm aware of all its shortcomings, I don't even know of that repro can be salvaged.

Ultimately, however, I would like to purchase the Pendersoli 1816 flintlock musket, http://www.cherrys.com/pedpics/s274b.jpg and have it converted to the "belgian" cone style as seen here:http://www.gundersonmilitaria.com/musketm1816springfieldtype3dated1839.jpg .

Does anybody know of any gunsmith that would do this and is this an expensive practice? I suppose an extended hammer would have to be sought out. Thanks for your time and I look forward to any responses.

[LibertyHallVols]

Preston,

Good luck finding a gunsmith! That seems to be the "Holy Grail" of defarb work.

On the hammer: An original hammer will work just fine and can be had for a reasonable price from a number of places, including Ebay, S&S Firearms, Lodgewood, and Dixie Gun Works.

Before going the Pedersoli route, I would recommend hooking up with some N-SSA folks. I have seen some very nice custom "reproriginal" parts guns (new barrel or stretched barrel, Dunlap stock, and a mixture of repro and original parts). I speak from experience on this one!

Best of Luck!