The Kentucky Flintlock was one of the first produced in the USA in the 18th Century. Features a full wood stock and brass patina fittings. Made by the same gunsmiths who crafted the fabled Kentucky rifles, these late 18th/early 19th Century pistols were actually made in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. The "Kentucky" name came as a result of the Battle of New Orleans, which was substantially won by two thousand riflemen from Kentucky, armed with the rifles and pistols that quickly became known by the name of their adoptive state. Famed for their accuracy, the pistols exhibited the clean, uncluttered lines of their rifle cousins.

The octagonal rifled barrel is of blue finished steel and the stock is made from walnut. Barrel length is 10 5/16” with a 1 in 17 ¾” twist and 12 grooves. Overall length is 15 3/8” and weighs 2.20 lbs.

I fire this pistol using 25 grains of 3f black powder with a .490 lead round ball and a .015 patch. The picture shows the powder measure, pan primer measure, walnut ram rod, and touch hole pick and flash pan brush.

Loading and firing the flintlock pistol requires a number of steps! First, one must measure out a predetermined amount of powder and pour it into the barrel. For my .50 caliber I use 25 grains of fff black powder and a .490 lead round ball. Place a patch and round ball onto the barrel and "short start" the ball with the short starter tool and mallet.

Prime the "pan" about half full - I use ffff black powder for priming. Close the frizzen onto the powder and you are ready to cock the hammer and fire! When the trigger is pulled, the hammer and flint fall, striking the frizzen face causing sparks to fly and igniting the priming powder. The ignited powder travels through the "touch hole" on the side of the barrel and ignites the main powder charge at the base of the barrel.

Aim and fire as in any modern firearm. One difference shooting a flintlock is the delay caused by the primer powder igniting and then igniting the main powder charge. It is important to hold a steady aim and a longer follow through to keep the pistol sighted on the target until the ball is out of the barrel and on it's way to the target!