Recent Posts

1

Handguns / Re: Smith & Wesson Model 1

« Last post by Hanshi on May 13, 2024, 01:55:49 PM »

I recall something resembling current 4f powder has been found in old disassembled BP cartridges.

I've always been much interested in breaktop (or breakbottom) revolvers both the BP and smokeless ones.  I'd love to have, for instance, a .22, .32 or .38 break type pistols.  A choice between BP and smokeless would lean toward smokeless.  But I never met an old gun I didn't like.

2

Flintlock Rifles / Re: I really love everything about...

« Last post by Hanshi on May 13, 2024, 01:34:20 PM »

If I'm being honest (ignore what brother hotfxr says) and wanted the best, quality and price, on a .32 percussion muzzleloader I'd start the search by checking out the Traditions "Crockett".  I rue the day I let myself sell mine.  I was still hunting in those days and really did a good number on squirrels.  That sucker was accurate enough to put many custom rifles to shame.  And it was fun to carry around, shoot and just generally "mess with".

I had to replace it and had a .32 SMR built with flint lock ignition.  I haven't had the chance to really work with it but I'd say it seems to be at least as accurate as the Crockett.  I already had a SMR in .36 that I hunted with and fired it a lot at anything from a tin can to paper targets.  I'm currently in a situation where I don't get to shoot except on the rare occasion.  Plus my eyes just aren't what they use to be.  Both the .36 & .32 will see more action - they've been doing that for a while now - than the larger guys.

I've kept a lot of targets I've fired over the years with about an equal number of both good and not so good.
20 grains of Swiss 3F but need to try Goex 3F.  Target fired with .32 flintlock SMR.


I "think" the .36 target is either the TOP LEFT or the BOTTOM RIGHT.
 fired by the .36 flintlock SMR.


The awesome little Crockett.

3

The Welcome Wagon / Re: Welcome Lance1

« Last post by Hanshi on May 13, 2024, 12:41:20 PM »

Welcome to our forum, Lance1.  Feel free to post in any category on our site that concerns traditional muzzleloading. 

4

Handguns / Re: Smith & Wesson Model 1

« Last post by flintboomer on May 11, 2024, 06:45:35 PM »

Hanshi's info is good, but I'm sure the reason for the post was simply to post about a couple of cool little guns with some nice history behind them.

Hanshi is also right that nobody actually wants to be shot no matter what caliber it is.

Too bad Smith & Wesson didn't understand what they had with the Rollin White bored through patent.

One more thing: For anyone who looks at the pictures and notices that pointy thing under the barrel but wonders what it is for, that is the shell extractor.

5

The Welcome Wagon / Re: Welcome Lance1

« Last post by flintboomer on May 11, 2024, 06:35:05 PM »

Welcome aboard.

6

The Welcome Wagon / Re: Welcome Lance1

« Last post by hotfxr on May 11, 2024, 03:41:16 PM »

Welcome to the forum Lance1!
It's great to have you here.

7

The Welcome Wagon / Welcome Lance1

« Last post by Red Badger on May 11, 2024, 01:53:11 PM »

Welcome Lance1,
There are a lot of good people here ready to answer any questions you have or to receive your constructive comments!
Please read the “FOR NEW MEMBERS” Must Read Posts then look around and feel free to join in any of the conversations!  We have been in existence for over 11 years so there is a lot of information here, please feel free to post in any unlocked topic and ignore the 120-day warning.
Please take a moment to visit the “About You” area and tell us a little about yourself and your BP interests.

Red Badger, Chief Factor

8

Handguns / Re: Smith & Wesson Model 1

« Last post by hotfxr on May 10, 2024, 12:59:10 PM »

Actually, I was not looking for any info, at all. However your tidbit about the grade of BP is both informative and appreciated. I was using good old 3fff and didn't have a clue about powders from that era. If in the foreseeable future I can load up some shells that are at least consistent, or come up with some CB caps in 22 short, I will chrono them.

Of course now I will be forced to research 1800's black powder. Thanks for the homework!

9

Handguns / Re: Smith & Wesson Model 1

« Last post by Hanshi on May 09, 2024, 02:47:15 PM »

If I understand this correctly both pistols are number "1" models.  Your restoration job looks good to me and must have tried your patience at some point.  As for the magnum (Ahem!) BP charge of 4 grains, I believe I may have some idea about the actual self defense expectations of that era. 

The powder used was likely a very high grade as the velocities from CW handguns exceeded what we usually get from our repros.  Maybe something like Swiss?  And no one wants to get shot, even just a little bit.  I'd be surprised if the usual target for these tiny pistols was anything other than somewhere around the head at handshake distance or less.  Another thing is that infection was a common result of nonfatal hits.

I would be very interested finding out the chronographed velocities of those cartridges.  The results "could" be surprising.  Years ago I took squirrels with CB caps that were powered only by the prime in the case.

Now that I've added nothing to this discussion remotely related to your post, I'll just ask to be sure, "what information exactly were you hoping for.  Also the fact that you know who this post comes from goes a long way to explaining the "WHY" of this response. 

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Handguns / Smith & Wesson Model 1

« Last post by hotfxr on May 09, 2024, 11:33:57 AM »

I know I am stretching the forum rules with this post, but this has been an interesting project a couple years in the making. These are a couple of Smith & Wesson Model 1 revolvers, 3rd version. Versions 1 and 2 were almost all sold to Union troops during the Civil War. Version 3 came out after. The model 1 was the first firearm S&W ever made. They have a long and interesting history. I won't go into that now. These two were made a few months apart in 1872. They are top break, .22 (short) caliber 7 shot revolvers. My justification for posting them here is they shoot BLACK POWDER cartridges. They shot a 29 grain bullet propelled by 4 whole grains of black powder. I was given one, without a hammer and a couple of springs and was instantly intrigued and set off to restore it. I finally found another on GunBroker that was cheap enough to buy for a parts gun. (This is "On the Cheap", remember.) The day the parts gun arrived I found a hammer on Numrich and bought it. After playing around with small parts and lots of work with small files and stuff, I finally have one fully restored. The other is operational, but needs a very weird spring that so far I have been unable to fabricate. Both of them have nice clean barrels with fairly sharp rifling and are just plain cool.
I managed to roughly reload a dozen or so bullets and have fired both of them. Reloading a 22 is a challenge all on it's own. I did come to the conclusion that with 4 grains of 3fff pushing that bullet out, they are not too intimidating. I mean, if you were to shoot me with one of these, you would really piss me off.











You might have noticed that they look loaded. I keep an empty shell in all my rimfire firearms. Why? Because most people cannot resist dry firing any time they have a gun in their hands.