8 Bore Pinfire

The cap is in upside down, the pointed end of the pin is against the primer compound.
The little index mark on the outside of the face allows the thing to be indexed properly so the pin can be inserted in contact with the cap.
Hmmmm, if it goes into the cap I would have thought a blunt pin would be more efficient and reliable than a sharp one but I guess that depends on hammer spring strength. Maybe they are pointed so a more gentle soft hammer strike will detonate either less abuse of the pin??? Just speculating.
 
I have some of the French made 16g shells. They use a cap carrier inserted from the front of the case. The pin is then inserted.
Priming these pinfire cases is fiddly, but it does make shooting the guns a possibility.
 
Hmmmm, if it goes into the cap I would have thought a blunt pin would be more efficient and reliable than a sharp one but I guess that depends on hammer spring strength. Maybe they are pointed so a more gentle soft hammer strike will detonate either less abuse of the pin??? Just speculating.
If the pin is a tight fit through its hole, misfires can result. Too loose, and there is the risk that the pin can be blown out.
These systems use standard muzzleloading caps. Real pinfire primers were small diameter, sized for the pin.
 
I have only one pinfire shotgun. A ho-hum Belgian 16ga that I got for a nominal price just to have as a pinfire sample. I does work with the French brass 16g reloadable shells.
Pinfire guns do turn up with some regularity. Revolvers, shotguns and much less often, rifles. Most are indifferent original quality, but maybe that is best if one plans on shooting them. The pinfire system lasted in Europe well into the 20th century.

I've have a thread running about an unusual America muzzleloading shotgun I recently acquired. While researching this gun, I came across an AR Davis American pinfire shotgun that I did no know existed. Probably a real rarity. Here is a photo lifted from the 'net.
OIP Pinfire.jpg

The OP of this thread has a really challenging project ahead of him, making a new receiver for the 8ga pinfire. That is something I don't think I would even consider.
 
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I have only one pinfire shotgun. A ho-hum Belgian 16ga that I got for a nominal price just to have as a pinfire sample. I does work with the French brass 16g reloadable shells.
Pinfire guns do turn up with some regularity. Revolvers, shotguns and much less often, rifles. Most are indifferent original quality, but maybe that is best if one plans on shooting them. The pinfire system lasted in Europe well into the 20th century.
Only interested in sxs’s shotguns. I see them for sale from fine to time when I was NOT looking specifically for them. Seems right up my alley as I like to tinker and make things from the past that are no longer available. This has become an expensive thread 😁
 
I'm pretty sure you could turn up a functional pinfire double for $200 or less. Not gun like those marvelous British guns in Pinfire's thread, but a plain jane Belgian.
 
I'm pretty sure you could turn up a functional pinfire double for $200 or less. Not gun like those marvelous British guns in Pinfire's thread, but a plain jane Belgian.
Im on the hunt for a 20ga sxs, Damascus hammer gun 2 1/2” but add Pinfire to the search and see what come up first. Would likely look for something along the li es of what Steve showed on his “Pinfire” thread so I don’t expect it to be cheap but hopefully not horrendous in price. Never ever checked going prices on them because if I can’t shoot it o don’t need it snd I didn’t really look into how to make cartridges….. until now. I REALLY appreciate all those that took the time to share their knowledge. I would consider a lower end one if it is sound, just to get me started especially at the price you posted.
 
I'm pretty sure you could turn up a functional pinfire double for $200 or less. Not gun like those marvelous British guns in Pinfire's thread, but a plain jane Belgian.
Mines a single shot Belgian gun think I paid $75 for it so long ago I haven’t a clue. They turn up regularly up here my buddy state side acts like their some rare marvel. For me any 12ga hull I don’t mind burning up with a single round gets used I have a milk crate full of odd ball hulls that I use for black powder.
 
The OP of this thread has a really challenging project ahead of him, making a new receiver for the 8ga pinfire. That is something I don't think I would even consider.
Agreed, although it does not require engraving, and it would only be for black powder, so getting it magnafluxed before and maybe after and proof tested, then proceed?
 
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There is no question that this is a considerable project. Without having it “in hand” I didn’t know what exactly I would do but if I really wanted a sxs 8 bore cape gun, I would fix it. HOW I would go about it would depend. If I wanted it mostly as a novelty that I could shoot, i would consider welding, but if I went that route I would shoot light for the calibre loads AND I would stamp the water table with something to indicate light loads only. If I wanted to have something with some resale value that I could shoot with intended loads I would have it duplicated on a CNC. The most important aspect to me would be to permanently mark it indication what was done for future owners.
 
This is my 8 Bore Pinfire Cape gun it has 1 rifle and 1 smooth bore barrel. I have my .500 BPE express double rifle for scale while I was trying to rebuild the 8 bore I found out that action was cracked In bad spot over half way through the action. Once I get some proper machines I plan on making a new action for shooting purposes. Both firearms were legally imported from the UK in 2023 and 2024 as Antiques. View attachment 1061938View attachment 1061939
Who else thinks there is not nearly enough steel mass at the intersection of the breech face and water table for full power black powder loads on this sidelock action? Should the builder, if they go ahead with it, redesign the reciever to include a radius/fillet at the intersection? If they did, the rebuild gets more complicated. Sharp internal corners are stress risers. This would make fitting the barrels more complicated though. If the new receiver is changed to include a thicker breech face, the stock and lock fitment will change a lot of things. I see how precision lock and reciever fit and bedding, fat boy stock wood, and choice of quality lumber becomes vital with the big bores. The project is a worthy opponent. Respect!

PS the antique regs say nothing about teatfire either.
 
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