I purchased about two years ago a military heritage 1795 Springfield because of your review of military heritage guns. Mine like your Charliville had really good fit and finnish. I re-did the stock and antiqued the barrel and hardware and now at first glance it looks like and original. I am very pleased with my purchase.

Ran into several people who just hate anything except for pedersoli and other high priced repros. They call the others “pipe bombs”. I hate that attitude and ignorance.

As of right now, Dixie Gun Works is selling their Pedersoli Brown Bess muskets for $1195 in kit form, $1550 built. MidwayUSA is selling the Pedersoli Brown Bess is $1699. Look around for sure, even Veteran Arms is only selling their Brown Bess guns for $749.

Thanks for the compare & contrast between the two makers. Ive been wondering about their NW Trade guns fit & finish, this helped a lot 👍👍

Nice comparison, thanks for taking the time to put it together.

You came fairly close with the pronunciation actually 😄 Very cool comparison! Here in Denmark, the only gig in town when it comes to contemporary made muzzle loading long guns are Pedersoli (and sometimes Chiappa). We used to be able to get some of the other Spanish and Italian makers here, but it seems that most of them are either out of business or have switched their focus entirely to the US market. I have a Euroarms "Hawken" in .45 that I am currently working on; the stock needs repairs (it is cracked at the tang, as many of them are) and a refinishing.

I struggled for a long time trying to decide on a Military Heritage or Pedersoli Charleville. I eventually went with a Pedersoli kit which I purchased from Dixie Gun Works for $1295 plus shipping. It took a LOT of work removing wood, and filing/fitting, and polishing the metal...approximately 45 hours to get it right. The only reason I didn't get the MH musket was that it wasn't available at the time, and it wouldn't be available for months. I'm happy with my choice, but the cost is ridiculously high for Pedersoli.

This was a good video, one I do appreciate. I purchased a Lorenz from Military Heritage and stripped the finish, used walnut stain. I did not let it sit too long, wiped off the excess use 2000 and 3000 grit sand paper with true oil and the finish is very close to my 1859 Sharps. I drilled a large hole in the bolster. Tapped it for a screw, and a 1/16 hole in the breech.Yeah, she's a smooth bore and .62 cal., but she's a good shooter. Now, I'm thinking of a 1766 Charleville. Pedersoli can't be found, so Military Heritage looks like where I'm heading. I think she will be fine.

I have a doglock carbine I just got from Veteran Arms, Indian made of course. One of the things I like is that Pedersoli doesn't put out the variety of the guns like the Indian makers too, Pedersoli doesn't offer a doglock. I videoed my son shooting that doglock, and he was on the 3rd and 4th shot with it and I was surprised at how fast the lock time is on that gun. It's as fast as any of my Pedersoli guns. I think my Pedersoli Indian Trade gun is my nicest flintlock and it has an extremely fast lock time, but that Indian made doglock is right behind it.

Another excellent video! I purchased the Military Heritage 1733 model pistol awhile back and am very pleased with it. So I'm trying to decide on the fusil de chasse or the 1766Charleville. I was excited when U got the Pedersoli BB, since I wanted to see a comparison. I bought my Pedersoli BB back in 1994. She's been my sweetheart ever since. I learned a lot with her. I learned the Italian , ArmiSport,Euroarms, Pedersoli all used 3 piece rammers friction fit to streamline production. I had the threaded end come off downbore back around 2004 with a brush down there. Took some doing to extract that. I found a guy about 2014 that mad replicas of originals in one solid piece. I'm a big fan of these Pedersoli, but my wallet isn't that thick . I think I paid $800.00 in 1994. I'm impressed with Military Heritage and Robert, so he'll be getting my business from now on. Very best regards

Please use your patreon money to buy more light blubs. Your filming area is too dark!

My 1816 Pederosoli was very reliable ignition I sold it for a reason I can't recall now. I been thinking of giving the Idian made Tulle 62cal or a French musket in 69cal since I'm set up for 69cal already.

I know you made this video 11 months ago and ive been looking at Military Heritage because of price. Ive gotten out of Civil War reenacting but have fallen into a crowd who do reenacting ftom F&I time period to Rendezvous of 1839 and want a flinter from about 1795 to 1815. War of 1812 appeals to me because some of my Civil War clothes can be back dated easily without me spending thousands again. Im also 71 years old.

I agree with you ,,especially on price,,!

Could you make a video regarding drilling the vent hole? That or share a link with me regarding the process, as I just ordered a Military Heritage Charleville after watching this video. Thanks.

You can chamfer a radius around your flash hole (if you just drilled a straight hole into your breech) by using a # 1 center drill mounted on a lathe. This will increase the reliability of your musket if you did not install a flash hole liner.

Congratulations on the 9k guys.

Great video, I appreciate it, I’d go with the military heritage myself, easy to drill a touch hole, for those who don’t trust doing that any local machine shop could knock it out fairly cheap. I’ve always hated those Italian guns with their big signs on their barrels, pretty much takes away the eye appeal to me.

In short: Pedersoli's are out of the box shooters. India guns are for the tinkerer shooters, and the trendy/follower shooters hang in the balance. BTW- I find it interesting what/why people fall in love with certain things. I have the Charleville too but prefer the triggers in the English guns. Thanks again for sharing fair info on such the controversial subject. It's always fun to ruffle the feathers of those whom are stubbornly opinionated yet intellectually ignorant about the actual differences. 😀

Very helpful to a beginner.

I really appreciated the contrast and comparison between these two manufacturers/importers. Do you have any thoughts as to why Military Heritage seems to be having long delays of shipments coming in from India these days? Their 1733 French Cavalry Pistols have been "Ready To Ship" for at least a year or more... and still haven't arrived... but they are light years ahead of their Officer & Gentleman Fusil model that, apparently, have been "Out Of Stock" since the last Ice Age.

I own items from both companies, for live shooting I greatly prefer Pedersoli, if you are just doing historical reenactment, get the Military Heritage. Not that you can’t live shoot the military heritage ones, Pedersoli is just more consistent because it’s machined instead of hand made

interesting, great video, thanks

another plus with the India made guns is all the iron parts , lock etc are all hand forged just like the originals

You can drill and tap a coned touch hole liner into the MH, and it will be just as fast.

I suspect the markings on the Pedersoli are in part driven by both Italian firearms laws and US importation rules. The Pedersoli firearms are sold as firearms where as the Indian Non Firearms are sold as non firearms. I have a Pedersoli Harpers Ferry M1841 .54 Caliber. I also have an original Harpers Ferry M1841 (1852 Production) .54 Caliber. There are numerous differences between the two. My original has long range sights and a bayonet lug for openers. The blade sight on the front is probably twice the height on the Pedersoli as on of Harpers Ferry. A few months ago I picked up a Navy Arm marketed Antonio Zoli replica of a Harpers Ferry M1841, .58 Caliber. It does not say Harpers Ferry anywhere on it. The front sight looks too tall, just like the Pedersoli, but I have not put any rounds down range yet to confirm this. I need to build a good shooting bench for sighting in rifles.

This was a fascinating comparison, even though it came out pretty close to what I expected. I do think Pedersoli firearms are worth the expense *most* of the time, but let's be honest, a flintlock is a pretty simple firearm; when I was deciding which Sharps Infantry Rifle to buy, all the evidence led me to realize I would have been an idiot to buy anything other than a Pedersoli because of how bad the other entries in the market were (I know MH doesn't sell that rifle, I was just using the example I knew most about). One thing I think deserves more discussion is the difficulty of drilling out the touch hole. You gentlemen have a lot of tools, a great deal of expertise, and a tremendous amount of experience working on firearms, and yet I seem to recall you having problems with one of the Indian guns because you didn't do the touchhole correctly (the first time--I seem to recall that you fixed it, too). For those lacking the tools, expertise, and experience to make the Military Heritage weapons shootable, this may not be a trivial problem. The same is true for function problems of the sort many Military Heritage weapons exhibit--again, to you guys, diagnosing and fixing those kinds of problems are so minor that they don't even need to be mentioned, but to others, those kinds of problems can be an endless source of frustration, cost, and difficulty. If all the stories about exploding Indian muskets are false (and I have seen several, but can't vouch for any), then that is a despicable tactic on the part of the competition, but at least we can take comfort that it was common in period, too.

The Indian Military Heritage guns are still better quality than the originals.

Nice comparison! I've always been fond of the Long Lands and the Charlevilles, so that limits my options. Price, shipping & availability can be a whole other kettle of fish, though. Alas, the world is not perfect.

I've been seeing Pedersoli BB's going for $1600-1800. I bought one new in 2019 for $1100.

A fine as frogs hair comparison on these muskets that I appreciate fer ser! Kind Thanks, Good Shootin and Many Blessings from DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

A few thoughts. Great video. I feel like there’s a similar argument to the Uberti vs. Pietta discussion. Two things that I felt like got skated over though we’re the stocks and parts availability. The Pedersoli guns use real walnut while the Indian muskets use Teak wood which is a ding In the authenticity department. Also you can get replacement parts for the pedersoli guns (though admittedly you do have to jump through some hoops). Good luck getting replacement parts for the Indian guns. Good video though. Very fair on what I’m sure is a very decisive topic. There’s nothing more that people who are into this kind of stuff like to do than argue about brand A vs. brand B. Keep it up!

The real problem many have with the Pedersoli Brown Bess is the neck of the neck of the stock is too long, and no amount of de-farbing can fix that. BTW, why don't you take the Charleville lock apart and re-case harden the hammer (steel)? You can apply case hardening compound to the face and heat it in a kiln and bring that musket back to life.

Just got in a dog lock musket from Loyalist arms. Also a Bombay pipe bomb 9.6 lbs not heavy compared to original All heart wood Ramrod is crap but I will replace that I’m going to do a paint on stock, so it’s was revised unfinished I have to remove a bit of wood on the forearm as rails are too thick Fit isn’t 1st class but every bit as good as I do on guns I’ve built myself There are some scratches on the barrel, no problem to buff out Lock sparks as well as my Davis and L and R locks Trigger pull is clean and crisp Bore is smooth as glass I e done this for forty five years and all and all it’s easily equal to guns costing three times the price If I oiled it I doubt if anyone could tell it from walnut, infact it has good figure 100% satisfied with the gun And I am an old would be stitch counter

Thanks for your amazing content. You guys are awesome. If you live in VA i can come and help you with production i do videography

Very nice video pard , But for me it would have to be Middlesex Village Trading Company 🤠

Good video

I have an older pedersoli sxs percussion 12 gauge sxs...one complaint i have is they are choked...as i have other percussion shotguns...regular 12 g wads ( fiber) fit in them...however the pedersoli nope...need 13g wads...for the $ you pay..., really a let down to need special wads. To go shooting.. I did own a fusil chasse from loyalist arms...and i will say. Nothing but issues....bore was suppose to be 62 cal ( 20g ) and once ball entered muzzle with a patch... First 7 or 8 " were tight steady resistance...then. Literally fall to the bottom.... Same with fiber wads and shot loads...wad would fall beyond the tight spot... The wood split in 7 places..they would not replace the stock Claiming was sold as a " non firing" state and no warranty once touch hole drilled.... That gun in sold to a re enactor gent... Now in light of smoothbores..i just aquired a david dolliver built norwest trade gun with a davis lock...and 36" colerain barrel...bore is very concentric and fit finish is ex...maple instead of overseas type wood... Hoping to get the gun out sometime soon

With a bit of refining the Heritage fire arms can be brought up to as fine a quality as the more expensive mods .. just get your skill levels up and you'll be satisfied

On the subject of reliability, I believe that the hammers on the MH guns are a little too hard. I think this is why mine tends to dull flints and throw fewer sparks than other guns. I'm going to try and temper it back a bit.

I was born to be a patriot I will defend the Constitution foreign and domestic I believe in the American Constitution and I believe in the United States of America as a patriot

1,800. Hundred dollars in Connecticut

I have also heard people make comments about Indian guns blowing up. I believe it has been documented that those instances where muskets blow up is from newbies not realizing their load did not go off, and they load another round. Pedersolis will blow up too if you load them with 5-6 rounds. I know a War of 1812 group that bought a bunch of Indian muskets with a government grant, and they have had no complaints - and they liked the fact they bought more guns than if they bought Pedersoli.

I guess it's like you uberti and petta cus I sure like uberti but I have to do more work on them

Dependability and quick ignition could have something to do with a harder frisson I really like my pedersoli

1699.00 for pedersoli right now on midway out of stock by the way.

Could you please do a review on the veteran arms English trade gun? I got so long ago then went on some deployments. I forgot if mine 60 or 62 could you please do a video on that how “ Mike “your your musket barrel

I'm leaning towards the military heritage because I actually like longer pattern, in terms of safety and handling are they good in that regards? Any issue with finish I can see past, and what loads do you use for land pattern Bess?

Flintlocks are very tempermental. My understanding is that Pedersoli will spark more reliably, while with the Indian guns you have to case harden the fizzen. So if money is not a problem, then Pedersoli is very desirable. But it is way more expensive than the Indian guns. You did not mention about the pan. Someone showed me that in the Indian guns the pan is parallel to the ground. The Pedersoli is tilted - so the pan is actually level given how you hold the gun while loading. So with flintlocks the extra price might be worth it because not firing is so frustrating. But for percussion cap guns, like in the Civil War, the percussion cap technology is so reliable that I don't think the extra expense is worth it.

Well to today nothing crazy just like this comparison video.

Military heratige can you get spear parts eg frizzed .. ps great Chanel . From uk

I've had several Access Heritage that don't spark well out of the box... a little Cherry Red with a propane torch will fix that up... check Rob's video on British Muzzleloader's on the subject... Pedersoli sling swivels are the wrong shape... And my 1728 Charleville from MH/AH has been a reliable shooter out of the box... Also if you want something other than a Shortland Pattern, its either Indian guns or custom builds... I have a collection of several " Brown Bess " muskets to show the variations in the evolution of the gun, 2 Pedersoli's one in original configuration, and one defarbed 7 Indian guns in various other configurations...and an old Miroku / Dixie gun works Short Land Pattern...

I purchased a pedersoli brown bess about two years ago. The fit and finish was pathetic. Brass Inlays weren't sanded flush/ not even close... Splintered wood, brass Inlays off center... And though probably taboo to alot of you I cut down the barrel and it is very very obviously not bored on center. Overall I enjoy that I have a flintlock smoothbore but my god I would not send another dollar pedersoli's way. I don't remember what I payed but I know I could have bought two Glocks instead.

So which would do 200 yards best? Also add the Charlottesville? Concerning 200 yards

The front sight you refer to on the BB muskets is not a sight. It is a bayonette lug. Just to clarify that.

I have had pedersoli and uberti and pietta and accuracy was approcimately the same. Finish and fit was better on pedersoli functionality was similar on all 3.

Ethan a couple of points: I would be a patron but… I used to support 4 creators 3 were in gun tub (Ian, Othias, Bloke) and one was a channel I appreciated for his political stance and intellect: Carl Benjamin AKA Sargon of Akkad. Carl got Cancelled -and they kept his money they owed him. I IMMEDIATELY stopped all my Patreons. I REFUSE to give a percentage to that org. I then supported Others via Subscribestar, Ian via Floatplane. Bloke lost out... Now I support folks via a new service called Utreon which I also have a channel on (plug plug). If you start up there, I will kick in. Second point: My Bess is a Military Arms. Just took her down to check markings… I do not have a socket bayonet instead I have a Plug Bayonet. Mine has similar lock plate and barrel markings as yours but my stock is frankly… less then ideal.. It looks more like a cross between pine and balsa wood held together with some ick varnish and tacks (I would hardly call these pins). They are staggered the length of the stock on both sides- with some poking through. I have not as many rounds thru her as you have but she does shoot true. Since I got the correct flints for her she is very happy. I love the Woods' content. You guys do good.

With regards to the bayonet from MH i have had to make a wood mandrel for 25 Charlotte ville muskets and fit and number each one of the bayonets to fit properly and this was done the same way with the originals and how do I know this i was an armourer for 17 years with the 1st Co governor's foot guard and we have 400 original Charlotte ville muskets

If you have worn through the frizzen, they aren't all that hard to repair. If you send me a PM. I might be able to help.

You want to make a comparison. Drop both on concrete. The pedersoli is far superior.

Ahh yes my fellow warcrime enjoyer. Great video

Living in a different country we can't have the touch hole drilled indian guns so what you run into is the worst of all being sent here some I would not trust to fire if you paid me. So note that before attacking me. Now the price is really high for something you have know idea if you can convert to shoot. So pedersoli it is and I think that is understandable for us here. I think they customs are also really clamping down on indian guns making it a huge headache of bureaucracy nobody wants. They will add charges to cost for the dumbest things.

Military Heritage allday.

What company makes the best socket bayonets?

I've seen a lot of indian and Pakistani trying to be passed off as original. It's not too hard to spot a fake.

Pedersoli is superior. they are fully operational while the Military Heritage weapons are incomplete. No touch holes drilled. you have tohave a gunsmith work on them. that makes them suspect in my book.

Depends on how much you value your eyesight and face, i guess. Without destructive and metallurgical testing, your just spitballing.

I like the indian made guns BUT the Pedersoli firearms are made PROOFED and sold as firearms. The Indian made are not sold as a proofed firearm. Im talking real, modern proofing not historic proof marks

Where are Military Heritage Guns Made? With Todays technology why do manufacturer’s find it so hard to duplicate originals? Not having original proof marks is actually a good thing as who would want to be thought of as someone trying to counterfeit. To the average spectator from a distance the finish and minute details make little difference. As a potential buyer If I am going to spend any amount of Money on something advertised and sold as a “ reproduction” I want it to be a reproduction . Anything less than that should be regarded as a facsimile . We also must Keep in Mind that even in their time none of the regulation arms while similar were not fully interchangeable so it makes sense that workmanship will differ and with that in mind be more period correct . What makes a difference to Me is the functioning of the lock. My original 1862 Springfield has a far better feel when cocking than My CVA Mountain Rifle. While the CVA works it has a cheaper less reliable feel. I browned the barrels of My Kit Guns and they came out looking pretty good considering I was in a hurry to get them together and shooting. Then after putting them away I realize I could have greased and plugged the bores and let them sit out with the picks and digging bars. On hot days I could have rubbed my sweaty hands on the Barrel and eventually they would look like My well used digging Bars with a very deep well aged Brown. So thick with hand oil that even when left out in the elements for long periods they never seem to rust and when they do show signs a little use brings the deep luster right back.

Black powder only made in Italy on the barrel🤢

Stamps on the MH are just wrong in every way shape and form.