Underhammer rifles

Something's wrong with your links.

I've never shot one, but heard they're good designs that're straitforward to make. Not sure why they never gained ground.


And just because you mentioned underhammers... a repeating fire underhammer!
http://underhammers.########.com/2009/07/wades-at-it-again-ingrhams-underhammer.html

http://3.bp.########.com/_j7PMWDJke08/SmIfGV5xYGI/AAAAAAAAAZg/SuGaDNnu9I8/s1600/Ingrham%2BHarmonica%2BBuggy%2BRifle.JPG
 
The link worked for me: That is a really nice rifle,lots of eye appeal.
The Harmonica Rifle is very innovative and could have gained traction if it hadn't been for the revolving cylinder. You could carry a pile of preloaded plates and reload quickly,be better if you had someone else loading the plates as you fired.
 
I've seen a few at the shoots over the years. Everything from boot pistols to big 20lb+ bench guns and I could never figure out why they weren't more popular either.

Great simple designs for sure.
 
Those H&A rifles were simple and affordable back in their day. An underhammer carbine has been on my "must build" list for some 3 decades now, perhaps I should get around to it before I run out of decades.
10X, neat rifle, but what's the story on the buttstock?
 
Waba said:
Those H&A rifles were simple and affordable back in their day. An underhammer carbine has been on my "must build" list for some 3 decades now, perhaps I should get around to it before I run out of decades.
10X, neat rifle, but what's the story on the buttstock?
Click to expand...

The previous owner could probably explain that one....
That is one of the photos used to get it into the FRT system.
The buttstock is correctly installed now.....
 
Anyone wanting to scratchbuild a muzzleloader should seriously consider an underhammer. Get a barrel, and every other part can be handmade in a homeshop.
I've always wondered why no one has offered a reproduction of one of the New England underhammer pistols.
Just about every type of firearm has been made as an under hammer, from heavy bench rifles, through target rifles to hunting rifles to shotguns and pistols.
 
tiriaq said:
Anyone wanting to scratchbuild a muzzleloader should seriously consider an underhammer. Get a barrel, and every other part can be handmade in a homeshop.
I've always wondered why no one has offered a reproduction of one of the New England underhammer pistols.
Just about every type of firearm has been made as an under hammer, from heavy bench rifles, through target rifles to hunting rifles to shotguns and pistols.
Click to expand...

Dixie gun works used to sell underhammer pistols for under $25.00 in the 1960's. Anyone who had 12" of barrel could make one with a hacksaw, file, drillpress, a propane torch, a hammer, a nipple and 3" of spring steel...
Oh, and a block of hardwood and long bolt for the handle.
 
New underhammer actions are available for about $100 if you want to build one. They just have to be a great choice for bench guns or a really simple hunting rifle but a bit homely compared to a traditional long rifle, I think. Also, a bit tricky to build as a flintlock...
 
Underhammers are a simpler build than side hammers. More metal work than wood work. Do some research and you find many simple designs for them. You can make them to take a scope if you wish.
They can be made to take interchangable barrels like deer rifle calibre, smallgame calibre or smoothbore once you have the 'action' built. Just plug in the barrel. For hunting the nipple is more weather resistant. They can be made for high pressure slug rigs using small rifle primers.
 
tiriaq said:
Anyone wanting to scratchbuild a muzzleloader should seriously consider an underhammer. Get a barrel, and every other part can be handmade in a homeshop.
I've always wondered why no one has offered a reproduction of one of the New England underhammer pistols.
Just about every type of firearm has been made as an under hammer, from heavy bench rifles, through target rifles to hunting rifles to shotguns and pistols.
Click to expand...

Here is one.http://www.ardesa.com/en/detalles.php?wgo=26&wval=88&wbrand=2
I have seen offerings by other European makers as well. Somehow the pistols don't have the same appeal to me as the rifles. To my eye they appear somewhat ungainly with the amount of space taken up with grip and action. An exception to this is the "Chase" pistol illustrated in Logan's book, with its Kentucky lines and a hammer that encircles the trigger guard. Very stylish.
 
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