Andy Griffith
New member
I don't know how to start this in a way that it sounds half logical and well thought out...
I believe there is a good market for "niche" or novelty blackpowder items. There has only been a couple that have hit the market lately, but it shows that, there is more to be said for being mainstream in the market than just hunting rifles.
The big names like T/C, Traditions, Pietta, Uberti and Pedersoli have some great what I'd call "core" product and cater more to "need" that "want." Please understand that I'm speaking a bit tongue-in-cheek here.
My perception (uh oh, be careful of that word!) is that there is certainly a niche market for "novelty" items in the blackpowder category...as has been shown by the Pedersoli Howda pistol. I know of five guys in my club that have them- I don't personally yet, as I'm waiting for one of those to get tired of it and sell it to me.
However, the sales of this piece seem to be very brisk for it's price and size. I don't know how much advertising that they threw out on this thing- it's one of those strange pieces that they describe fellows carrying in Africa...but few times depicted in literature unless you are well read. Most fellers I know of bought it because it looks like a "sawed off shotgun" even though no where as practical as a cartridge firing piece. Now they introduced a stock for it? How can that (the stock) be considered anything but niche? I applaud their ingenuity on this one, and hope the carry it all the way to the bank.
I said all this to say, they need more oddball stuff, with curb appeal- even if it isn't historically correct- sometimes the less useful, yet more appealing it is, the better it will sell. Go figure. The best thing it does though, is gets more people into blackpowder shooting- which our sport needs to thrive.
I'd love to see that thing in 12 or 10 gauge, perhaps a tri-barreled howda. What about a 1860 or '58 scaled up a bit in .50? (I've seen the Ruger Old Army conversion, and the older .50 Walkers that were made). Maybe those aren't off the wall enough...
Anyway, this was the best I could come up with with my friend Geo. Dickel tonight. I'm hittin' the sack now- y'all brainstorm on this. Maybe Mrs. Griffith won't hear me coming to bed.
I believe there is a good market for "niche" or novelty blackpowder items. There has only been a couple that have hit the market lately, but it shows that, there is more to be said for being mainstream in the market than just hunting rifles.
The big names like T/C, Traditions, Pietta, Uberti and Pedersoli have some great what I'd call "core" product and cater more to "need" that "want." Please understand that I'm speaking a bit tongue-in-cheek here.
My perception (uh oh, be careful of that word!) is that there is certainly a niche market for "novelty" items in the blackpowder category...as has been shown by the Pedersoli Howda pistol. I know of five guys in my club that have them- I don't personally yet, as I'm waiting for one of those to get tired of it and sell it to me.
However, the sales of this piece seem to be very brisk for it's price and size. I don't know how much advertising that they threw out on this thing- it's one of those strange pieces that they describe fellows carrying in Africa...but few times depicted in literature unless you are well read. Most fellers I know of bought it because it looks like a "sawed off shotgun" even though no where as practical as a cartridge firing piece. Now they introduced a stock for it? How can that (the stock) be considered anything but niche? I applaud their ingenuity on this one, and hope the carry it all the way to the bank. I said all this to say, they need more oddball stuff, with curb appeal- even if it isn't historically correct- sometimes the less useful, yet more appealing it is, the better it will sell. Go figure. The best thing it does though, is gets more people into blackpowder shooting- which our sport needs to thrive.
I'd love to see that thing in 12 or 10 gauge, perhaps a tri-barreled howda. What about a 1860 or '58 scaled up a bit in .50? (I've seen the Ruger Old Army conversion, and the older .50 Walkers that were made). Maybe those aren't off the wall enough...
Anyway, this was the best I could come up with with my friend Geo. Dickel tonight. I'm hittin' the sack now- y'all brainstorm on this. Maybe Mrs. Griffith won't hear me coming to bed.
