Single Shot Pistols

[Ironhand54]

I was given a couple of rusty bp handguns by a friend. Both were reproductions. Both 45 cal, one flint and one caplock.

Since I wanted a flint pistol I decided to try rehabbing that one. After a fair amount of work this is what I came up with.

 

[Ironhand54]

Oops photo didn't post.



I had so much fun with this one that I have started on the other one.

Rusty but sound bp pistols can often be found cheap in pawn shops and at gun shows. With a little work you can have a pretty decent gun and a good story to tell.

IronHand

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I like that. Has a neat look to it.

 

[WestKentucky]

Looks quite pirate-ish to me. I like it. I know those were used for a lot of other purposes, but that’s just what strikes me. I would love to get a couple of those to tinker with and get them back to making noise.

 

[ThomasT]

Oops photo didn't post.

View attachment 979035

I had so much fun with this one that I have started on the other one.

Rusty but sound bp pistols can often be found cheap in pawn shops and at gun shows. With a little work you can have a pretty decent gun and a good story to tell.

IronHand

I used to find old rusty side locks in pawn shops all the time and if not too bad I would buy them and clean them up. I sold most of them for a decent profit. But you don’t see them much anymore. I have been told that pawnshops won’t buy them anymore. Too hard to sell.

 

[Ironhand54]

If pawn shops don't have them look at gun shows. Dealers will sometimes end up with one as part of a trade. Some will be overpriced but most dealers just want to get rid of them. Some are junk but most are sound.

Ironhand

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

Looks quite pirate-ish to me. I like it. I know those were used for a lot of other purposes, but that’s just what strikes me. I would love to get a couple of those to tinker with and get them back to making noise.

Not a pistol but this is a kit I put together a few weeks ago. If you really want something that screams pirate

 

[WestKentucky]

Not a pistol but this is a kit I put together a few weeks ago. If you really want something that screams pirate

View attachment 979942

YES!!!

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

YES!!!

It's a Traditions kit from Deer Creek Products. Looks like the cap version is sold out but they list a flintlock version as in stock.

Standard kit form.

 

[ThomasT]

If you really want something that screams pirate

I don't know. I see a Pilgrim in a tall hat with a buckle on it stalking a turkey. Cool looking gun.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

I don't know. I see a Pilgrim in a tall hat with a buckle on it stalking a turkey. Cool looking gun.

Pilgrims showed up on naval vessels

 

[ThomasT]

Pilgrims showed up on naval vessels

Huh? They eventually made it to land didn't they? And the ones in Plymouth Plantation came across the water on a freighter.

 

[Gordon]

What is the actual bore size (not bell size ) of that kewl percussion Blunderbus ? I been looking for one but want at least .69 " bore . I have a .58 " bore brass flinter many years.

 

[arcticap]

What is the actual bore size (not bell size ) of that kewl percussion Blunderbus ? I been looking for one but want at least .69 " bore . I have a .58 " bore brass flinter many years.

The Traditions Blunderbuss is a .54.
Pecotonica has a .75 caliber flintlock kit. --->>> http://www.longrifles-pr.com/blunderbuss.shtml
Loyalisr Arms has 10 gauge flintlocks. --->>> https://www.loyalistarms.ca/muskets.html
Military Heritage has .69 caliber flintlocks. --->>> https://www.militaryheritage.com/muskets.htm
Veterans Arms says theirs is .75. --->>> http://veteranarms.com/ReproductionMuzzleloadersandFlintlocks/Military-Blunderbuss.html

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Would those be "coned muzzles"?? Just kidding!

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I would guess that a blunderbluss probably used a buck and ball load so the bore diameter would only limit how many pieces of shot you could get down the barrel.

 

[Gordon]

Thanks Artic Cap ! The Loyalist Arms 10 gauge Blunderbus for $600+ American plus shipping isn't bad for a nicely turned out one like they sell. They are pretty sweet compared to same price for a kit ! I have a short 15" SxS "Magnum waterfowl" Pedersoli 10 gauge I really like so a 10 guage Flint Blunderbuss would fit right in !

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I would guess that a blunderbluss probably used a buck and ball load so the bore diameter would only limit how many pieces of shot you could get down the barrel.

I think you could load it in any manner, but I always thought that the idea was to be able to just grab a handful of shot from a shot bag, drop it into the muzzle without spilling, (after dumping in some powder) and then putting a wad over that. All on a heaving deck, or in a coach or wagon going full speed ahead. The belled muzzle only acted as a funnel, and does not spread the shot pattern any more than a cylinder bore shotgun would.

Seems like that would require a ram-rod, so I'm not sure what the drill was for guns that didn't have ram rods. ? I suppose if you kept the muzzle pointed up, you could dispense with the wad, if you both brought it quickly on target, and pulled the trigger before any of the shot could roll out...!!??? I think Roger's Rangers had a method where they dumped powder and ball, or buck and ball down the barrel of a musket, slammed the but of the gun on the ground, then fired.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

I think you could load it in any manner, but I always thought that the idea was to be able to just grab a handful of shot from a shot bag, drop it into the muzzle without spilling, (after dumping in some powder) and then putting a wad over that. All on a heaving deck, or in a coach or wagon going full speed ahead. The belled muzzle only acted as a funnel, and does not spread the shot pattern any more than a cylinder bore shotgun would.

Seems like that would require a ram-rod, so I'm not sure what the drill was for guns that didn't have ram rods. ? I suppose if you kept the muzzle pointed up, you could dispense with the wad, if you both brought it quickly on target, and pulled the trigger before any of the shot could roll out...!!??? I think Roger's Rangers had a method where they dumped powder and ball, or buck and ball down the barrel of a musket, slammed the but of the gun on the ground, then fired.

It was deemed a fire and forget weapon that was typically utilized during close combat where a reload wasn't likely to happen one way or the other. Let loose with your thunder pipe followed up with a brace of pistols and then on to the saber.

That said you can find them with and without ramrods and sometimes you can find them with bayonets. I'm considering fabricating some brass fittings to outfit mine with a ramrod as my days of raiding the Queen's Navy has passed.

 

[whughett]

A Google search found one brief article that followed the history of the blunderbuss, taken from German “ donder busche” thunder gun. It was quickly discovered that the flare did nothing to spread the shot, but it did amplify the sound, the final version had an external barrel dimension that remained consistent but an internal dimension that widen from breach to muzzle. By the early 18th century European guns were not flared but the practice lasted into the 19 century in India and Turkey.
Trivia but interesting reading.

 

[doubleh]

Not a pistol but this is a kit I put together a few weeks ago. If you really want something that screams pirate

View attachment 979942

My son bought one of those in kit form a few years ago and put in my storage building where it has resided ever since. I think I'll offer to build it for him and maybe he will take it home.