Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

[Fencible]

Anyone have any luck finding a producer of a good repro Lorenz musket. The A/C search revealed several originals, but I just could use one of those in the field. I have read of their place in the import history of Confederate arms but I dont think I have ever seen one in the field. Hard to miss it has unique styling.

Thanks

[jasonw]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?6464-Austrian-Lorenz-Repop&highlight=lorenz+reproduction

There is discussion about this several pages in on the above thread. It still appears that the only reproduction makers for the Lorenz are from India. Both sides imported them. I believe the third most used long arm of the war.

[rdykes]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

You are better off buying an original the repros are terrible and by the time you put money in them to get them somewhat looking right you could have bought a real one.

[Doughboy]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

I asked Craig Barry about the Loyalist Arms which is the only repro I know of and he gave the same advice as Russ.

http://www.armoryguards.org/lorenz_purchase.htm

Comparison of original to LA repro
Courtesy Armory Guards

[ContinentalMorganGuard]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

Just FYI I'm sure the Lorenz that is being reproduced is still not 100% correct but they now sell the .54 caliber rifled version for $775. http://www.loyalistarms.freeservers.com/1854LORENZ.htm

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

Order of preference;

1. An original in shooting condition--never a bad choice
2. Build one out of disassociated parts--a put together
3. Be satisfied with the rifled .54 Loyalist version, which is improved...main problem besides the barrel was the stock shape is too long through the wrist
4. Wait and see if in the next year or so, something dramatic happens.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

One quick question: I notice that the rifled version of the musket is $300 more than the smoothbore version (and of course, there is no such thing as a smoothbore Lorenz, but I digress...)

That is nearly TWICE the price.

So is the rifled version that much better, and the smoothbore version that much worse? I can't imagine that the rifling process alone costs THAT much more, so are they using a higher grade steel for the barrel (and what does that say about the quality of materials in the smoothbore version?)

I think they're saying a lot more than they intended about their products with this new rifled version.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

One quick question: I notice that the rifled version of the musket is $300 more than the smoothbore version (and of course, there is no such thing as a smoothbore Lorenz, but I digress...)

That is nearly TWICE the price.

So is the rifled version that much better, and the smoothbore version that much worse? I can't imagine that the rifling process alone costs THAT much more, so are they using a higher grade steel for the barrel (and what does that say about the quality of materials in the smoothbore version?)

I think they're saying a lot more than they intended about their products with this new rifled version.

Yes, obviously the $300 difference in cost is the .54 "match grade" US made barrel vs the gas pipe barrel from India.
If you were going to use something like this Lorenz repro at least the barrel on the .54 version is likely to be sound.
It is the only way I could recommend using one of these. Like I said, the problem is that the stock dimensions are
badly off...how do you shorten the wrist area on the reproduction exactly? You can cut wood out, but how do you add it back
where it belongs?

Cosmetically the Loyalist Arms Lorenz looks about the same in .54 (rifled) and .62 (smoothbore).
It's not bad but probably you wouldn't be happy with it though.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

So...the (slightly rhetorical) question still stands: What does that say about the quality of their previous version?!?

[Lewis Robinson]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

I believe that the $300 does not go to pay for a new US made barrel. Instead the rifle is sent to a guy in Arkansas who relines the existing India barrels to .54 caliber.

[Pvt. McNutt]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but from the other threads I have read, I thought the majority of people were (at least) slightly concerned regarding the safety of Indian made guns. This thread makes it sound like this is really no longer an issue. Did I miss a transition somewhere? Is the gentleman in Arkansas who relines the barrels somehow adding to the safety of the India-made Lorenz? Just curious as to what I missed here...

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

Bridger,

I don't think anyone above has stated a positive attitude toward the Loyalist Lorenz muskets. In fact just the opposite.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

Hallo!

I certainly did not.

I have grown tired of the circular nature of those who know anything about these wall decorator non-guns, versus they are "good or close enough" for reenacting for the price argument and are fine and are safe because only one "blew up."

And said nothing.

:)

Plus it puts a strain on the moderators as it is policy not to discuss them as they violate Rule Number 3: "No Farbery."

:) :)

Curt

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

If it is not a "match grade" barrel and just a re-lined gas pipe barrel, then you'd have
to say the .54 version is no go, too. Their website site says a match grade .54 barrel, not
a relined job. I have only seen the smoothbore .62 version and it was not acceptable.

I think there might be some better options coming up on the horizon, though.

As far as Loyalist Arms, they sell Pedersoli and used to carry Euroarms so it is
primarily their own el-cheapo India made musets that are roundly dismissed.

[Nighthawk]

Re: Makers of repro Lorenz muskets?

The best way to go is to buy an original, or build one from original parts. I bought one that was in fair to poor condition, but was structurally sound. I put some time into it and now I have a really nice, original Lorenz, albeit not one of collector quality. I have yet to see a repro that comes close to an original. Just as an aside, I remember being at the N-SSA nationals and our campsite, (34th Btn. Va. Cav.), seemed to be a gathering place. A guy drove down to our site and opened his trunk, revealing 5 or 6 Lorenzs. He wanted 200 bucks a piece, and nobody wanted them! I'll bet he wishes he had them now!
Regards,