I was into side locks and had a couple flintlocks back in the late 80's into the 90's then I got stupid sold them and bought an inline. I was able to purchase back my little 32 cal Cherokee and I just ordered a TVM Tennessee poorboy in 40 cal with a flintlock, I'm really excited about getting that one. I'm into Trad archery so those and the smoke poles go hand in hand.
Some of us are real hard learners and have to do it the hard way. The bright side is you learned n Now you're really going to enjoy yourself, even whan you can't shoot so pull up a hunk of wood and get closer to the fire.