Thanks, everyone, for the kind words! Ron, I couldn't agree more about longbows and smokepoles. This will be the 4th flintlock that Mr. Pruitt has made for me. I've got a 50 caliber rifle, a 20 gauge smoothbore pistol, a 12 gauge smoothbore long gun and now a 20 gauge smoothbore long gun. Ole John ain't getting any younger so I will probably have him make me a 54 caliber rifle in the near future. He can crank one out, including carving the stock, in about 2 weeks if you promise him cookies and/or venison summer sausage. His usual fee is $150 plus the cost of parts which is one heckuva deal in my book!
Darren