Muzzle loaders

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Flight01

Flight01

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My great great grandfather’s muzzle loader has been sitting for years. Looking to shoot it but want to be sure not to damage it or myself. Probably hasn’t been fired in 75 years.
It’s a 41” barrel, smooth bore 3/4”. With percussion cap. Not sure if it was upgraded to a shotgun cap or not. It’s currently at my fathers house. Half and full cock and trigger working.
A few pictures . Open to guidance and any info someone might have on this gun.
FC3F8FD1-00B2-4151-BEC3-DF3A5E18FF78.jpeg C5D946B8-1169-456D-B845-BFAE233DD965.jpeg 8C693E13-DC38-49B5-B79A-A14855BF89DD.jpeg C825CD5B-95A6-4813-84FE-998073C71053.jpeg 7C61DD41-CAC5-4EB0-8D11-2D6B499206A6.jpeg
 
Have a certified gunsmith take a look at the gun (preferably) or...

...make friends with a cover and a long string. If you choose this route:
Start with a light load of 20 grains, fix the string to the trigger, take cover and pull the string.
Inspect the barrel for bulging, nipple erosion/unscrewing / overall damage to the gun.
If you notice something weird, stop shooting immediately.
If everything is fine, add 5 more grains to your charge and repeat until you reach the 60 grain charge,
If you reached the 60 grains charge, proof the gun with 2 more shots and inspect the gun. If you don't see anything weird the gun can be considered safe to fire.
Consider 40 grains your maximum servicable charge.
 
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This is sort of what I was thinking. Should I be testing with a light load of bird shot ? For proper pressure?
The gun will likely only be used for fun and maybe shooting a grouse or pheasant
 
The very first thing you should do is to verify the gun is NOT loaded. I recently received an heirloom gun that has been in my family for over 200 years. The last 50 years the gun has hung over the fireplace of my Grandfather's house. I got the gun, cleaned the soot off of it, then ran the ram rod down the barrel only to find it sticking out of the muzzle about 3 inches. I put the air compressor to the nipple and blew out the shot & wads and the powder charge. It is my grandfathers best guess that it had been loaded for over 60 years and he never knew it. not long ago I won a rifle in one of the on-line auctions. When I got it i found out it to was loaded. As a word of caution, always check the gun using the ram rod to be sure it goes all the way to the breech.
 
Is there any other markings on it beside what I could see on the lock? I could not make out what was on it but any other lettering or numbers might be helpful. But, as noted, confirm that it is not loaded.
 
The stock is homemade. The nipple is a musket nipple but it's battered. There's no way you can cap it. You will need to dress it down or replace it. Somebody coated the whole thing with varnish or shellac
 
Yes the stock was done by my grandfather after the old one split. It’s current stock is probably 60 years old
 
Steel Horse Rider said:
Is there any other markings on it beside what I could see on the lock? I could not make out what was on it but any other lettering or numbers might be helpful. But, as noted, confirm that it is not loaded.
Click to expand...
That’s the only mark. “SAXTON”
 
Those old smooth bores can be a lot of fun. If you can get the nipple out change it, if not file it down.
Even if you only shoot "blanks" on the 4th of July, shoot it !!
 
The lock looks like a military style such as a Zouve or a Springfield. With the pitting on the outside I think it's a good idea to slip a bore scope down the barrel and take close look at the breech. I would also take it outta the stock and look at it under the wood as well. If it passes inspections try some light loads as mentioned earlier. You may end up glass bedding the stock around the breech area to prevent the wood from splitting a second time.
 
Jackrabbit1957 said:
The lock looks like a military style such as a Zouve or a Springfield. With the pitting on the outside I think it's a good idea to slip a bore scope down the barrel and take close look at the breech. I would also take it outta the stock and look at it under the wood as well. If it passes inspections try some light loads as mentioned earlier. You may end up glass bedding the stock around the breech area to prevent the wood from splitting a second time.
Click to expand...

It's not a Zouave or a Springfield lock. It is identical to an 1853 Enfield lock but I never heard of a contractor named Saxton. The barrel is definitely not an Enfield barrel.
 
Just a background for you. My Great great grandfather Joseph lived in Newfoundland Canada. Died in 1953. I can’t remember birthdate and I don’t know if he bought this gun new or used.
 
Flight01 said:
Just a background for you. My Great great grandfather Joseph lived in Newfoundland Canada. Died in 1953. I can’t remember birthdate and I don’t know if he bought this gun new or used.
Click to expand...

Honestly I think it was pieced together out of parts of a couple of different guns.
 
Flight01 said:
My great great grandfather’s muzzle loader has been sitting for years. Looking to shoot it but want to be sure not to damage it or myself. Probably hasn’t been fired in 75 years.
It’s a 41” barrel, smooth bore 3/4”. With percussion cap. Not sure if it was upgraded to a shotgun cap or not. It’s currently at my fathers house. Half and full cock and trigger working.
..., Open to guidance and any info someone might have on this gun.
Click to expand...

hawg said:
Honestly I think it was pieced together out of parts of a couple of different guns.
Click to expand...

I agree as the lock clearly does not go with the lock mortise. I would not be surprised if most of this gun was intact once, at JP Bannerman's, and somebody there found a lock that would fit it, put it together and sold it as such. Likely a very inexpensive 12 gauge for putting meat on the table. Since it was your Great Grandfather's..., that would be the right generation to be dealing with Bannerman for very inexpensive but useable guns.

AND yes, somebody "stabilized" the gun by applying a coat of spray-on varnish. Would halt rusting, and basically all one would need to do is to dust it a few times a year, as a wall hanger. You may be able to rehab that back into a shooter.

LD
 
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