[Buck Buchanan]

Is anyone familiar with NV Sikligar Inc. in India, Highland/Scottish pistols? I know most of the Murdoch style pistols you see come from India, but are some manufacturers better than others, or do they all come from the same place? NV Sikligar seems to have a nice selection of more than just the bright steel pistols I see at the Highland events i.e. engraving, gold inlay.

Can the vent hole be drilled out on the NV Sikligar Scottish pistols?

http://www.nvsikligar.com/onlineshopping.aspx?cat=1

Thanks,
Buck

[BEEDEE]

A note from the Forum Moderators:

Please confine responses to the question only. Keep

Rule #11
- Whenever someone brings up the subject of weapons the discussion has always gone downhill rapidly. Because of this, we must insist that there will be no discussion of weapons not traditionally or historically associated with the Kilt or Scottish Regiments.

in mind when you reply on this thread.

Thank you,

Brian & the Forum Moderators.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Without commenting about the quality of the non-firing replica, I would suggest that the conversion of a non-firing replica into a hand gun capable of firing a projectile is possibly in contravention of the (US) Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended over the years. As you live in California there may be local ordinances as well that would prevent the conversion of this purely decorative item into a functioning firearm.

Since the cost of the pistol is negligible, I would further suggest making the purchase, then checking with a local gunsmith as to the feasibility-- and legality-- of converting it into a functional firearm. Either way you will end up with a first class "wall hanger", if not an actual shooter.

[thescot]

Here is another possibility for a very plain pistol that can be drilled (assuming it's legal where you are) that you might want to check out. It's perfectly legal to buy muzzle loaders most places in the US, but you need to check it out where you live.

http://www.militaryheritage.com/pistol2.htm

[LANCER1562]

They're not period proper but a number of the members of my re-enactment guild and some of the other groups we play with use muzzle loaders capable of being fired from www.dixiegunworks.com

[Buck Buchanan]

My brother Buck Jr. & I are into interpreting the historical aspects of the Highland Clans from approx. 1290-1750. One of our member's who is now deceased, was kind enough to leave the Clan Buchanan tent with several custom made Claymores and other swords covering 1290 to about 1600.

Buck Jr. & I are trying to fill the gap, with targes, dirks and hopefully some appropriate era firearms. If I were to shoot one it would probably be a couple of times to say it worked & what it was like. I think there are no problems with laws in CA, being LE myself. I'm looking to buy something that would be considered real that isn't junk. To follow-up with the Murdoch style pistol, I'd like to add a blunderbuss, doglock musket, first model Brown Bess & maybe a matchlock to go along with all of our swords.

The Clan Buchanan tent for N. CA, has a hands-on display that we talk people through, let them hold the historic items & usually take pictures of themselves. Any feedback is appreciated.

[Woodsheal]

Relax, mods! We've discussed flintlocks a number of times here without anyone fainting or suffering stomach cramps...!

Anyways, the repro Scottish pistols are from a number of different factories in India and Pakistan (all working off the same patterns), and are not "non-firing replicas." It's up to the various vendors as to whether or not to sell them with the vents drilled - or not. The afore-mentioned Military Heritage outlet in Canada, in fact, are the only folks selling them undrilled that I'm aware of.

They are made with strong steel, heavy barrels, spark well,and are very safe to shoot with proper black powder loads.

Here's a good US source:
http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.c...hPistols.shtml

[RobertParker]

I've done quite a bit of traditional black powder shooting. Among serious flintlock enthusiasts, Indian-made guns have a very sketchy reputation. Keep in mind, most of us are as serious about our guns as people here are about their kilts. An Indian-made is approximately equivalent to a 4-5 yard PV kilt. Some are quite nice and some are not. You have to be careful in what you choose.

My point being, that many Indian-made reproductions, especially the non-firing ones are made with cheap metal (and some are made with great metal). If you get one, have a gunsmith check it out to see if it's made of good material. Also, you might check this forum - www.muzzleloadingforum.com. It's hardcore traditional. You'll get lots of good information, though it will be mixed with some pretty strong opinions! I'm Tnlonghunter on there. NEVER EVER USE MODERN POWDER IN A BLACK POWDER PISTOL!!!!! USE BLACK POWDER AND USE A MEASURE.

PM me if you have questions.

Like others have said, check your local ordinances, but almost every place I've ever looked has an exception for antique and reproduced antique guns that don't require registration. But I'm not a lawyer and that's just my experience.

[AFS1970]

Others have addressed this, but my only concern would be if such a replica can handle the conversion safely.

There was a company a few years ago (they may still be around) that made replicas of more modern guns and I have heard from allot of folks that they were cheap metal that could not stand up to the use a real gun would need to.

I know here in CT, black powder and historical replica guns are generally exempt from the permitting and registration requirements that other guns are subject to. I suppose (I am not a lawyer, so do your own research) there would be no difference in one made as a firing replica gun and one converted into a firing replica gun.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A quick check with my local gun shop owner (who is also a practicing attorney) elicited the following response:

"Scott,

Setting aside the issue of the quality of the barrels (are they cast or machined, and if machined, machined from what?) I would advise against altering a non-firing replica into a functioning firearm. At best this is a hazy gray area of the law, and at worst it could be viewed in some courts/jurisdictions as illegal in the same way that converting the radio aerial of a car into a .22 single shot pistol (the classic "zip gun") is illegal. The wisest thing your on-line friend can do is check with a reputable (ie: not some guy working out of his garage) gun shop and see if they would be willing to risk loosing their FFL [Federal Firearms License] by performing the requested conversion.

B."

I'd suggest buying one that is already vented, and sold as a shooter.