A couple of 12 bore 2 1/2" chambered doubles.
First is a Birmingham hammer gun with the rotating under action locking system. Has the "wrapped wire" looking barrels. One hammer was missing, firing pins had been trimmed. Fitted a new hammer, made firing pins from drill rod. Bores are good, with a bit of pitting. I would estimate 1870s. Nice, light slender gun. Straight enough stock to point well.
Second is a middle grade Belgian hammerless gun with laminated barrels. Ca. 1890s? 1900?. Bores are shiney with some very minor roughness. Also a light, handy gun. Both choke bored in left barrel.
Made up some shells. Trimmed cases to 2 1/2", loaded equal volumes of 2F powder and #6 shot, 1oz. measure. Conventional filler wads, thin card top wad, rolled crimp.
Four shots through each with the guns sandbagged, triggers pulled with a line, then tried a couple of shots each to test where the pattern goes relative to point of aim, get an idea of patterning. Both seem to be good shooters.
Last tested is a medium grade Belgian muzzleloading 8ga. double. Replaced one nipple, one ramrod pipe, and the ramrod. Close to 14 lbs. Very heavy barrels. Line fired it with up to 1 1/2 oz. of shot, then tried it with 1 1/8 oz. loads. It is a BIG gun to swing.
Also shot my Starr breechloading percussion carbine with Lee .54 minie bullets. Felt that these would obturate to fit the bore nicely. Groove diameter is .565". These should work nicely with paper cartridges. I was just breech seating the lubricated bullet and loading loose powder today. Bullet's nose seats nicely in the forcing cone. I am still impressed at how gas tight the Starr breech is. Unfortunately, it shoots very high at modest (deer hunting) ranges, so I will have to figure out how to install a higher front sight in a way that does not require permanent modification. Probably go with a banded unit.
Last recent acquisition is a rather nice British 12 bore single ml gun. Still has its rosewood ramrod, one ramrod pipe is detached, but present. Unfortunately I would not be comfortable shooting it because of the extent of pitting. Breechplug turned out easily. I believe I will ream the bore to .750", and install a seamless tubing liner. Gun is light enough that it will still be handy if the barrel is made a bit heavier.
First is a Birmingham hammer gun with the rotating under action locking system. Has the "wrapped wire" looking barrels. One hammer was missing, firing pins had been trimmed. Fitted a new hammer, made firing pins from drill rod. Bores are good, with a bit of pitting. I would estimate 1870s. Nice, light slender gun. Straight enough stock to point well.
Second is a middle grade Belgian hammerless gun with laminated barrels. Ca. 1890s? 1900?. Bores are shiney with some very minor roughness. Also a light, handy gun. Both choke bored in left barrel.
Made up some shells. Trimmed cases to 2 1/2", loaded equal volumes of 2F powder and #6 shot, 1oz. measure. Conventional filler wads, thin card top wad, rolled crimp.
Four shots through each with the guns sandbagged, triggers pulled with a line, then tried a couple of shots each to test where the pattern goes relative to point of aim, get an idea of patterning. Both seem to be good shooters.
Last tested is a medium grade Belgian muzzleloading 8ga. double. Replaced one nipple, one ramrod pipe, and the ramrod. Close to 14 lbs. Very heavy barrels. Line fired it with up to 1 1/2 oz. of shot, then tried it with 1 1/8 oz. loads. It is a BIG gun to swing.
Also shot my Starr breechloading percussion carbine with Lee .54 minie bullets. Felt that these would obturate to fit the bore nicely. Groove diameter is .565". These should work nicely with paper cartridges. I was just breech seating the lubricated bullet and loading loose powder today. Bullet's nose seats nicely in the forcing cone. I am still impressed at how gas tight the Starr breech is. Unfortunately, it shoots very high at modest (deer hunting) ranges, so I will have to figure out how to install a higher front sight in a way that does not require permanent modification. Probably go with a banded unit.
Last recent acquisition is a rather nice British 12 bore single ml gun. Still has its rosewood ramrod, one ramrod pipe is detached, but present. Unfortunately I would not be comfortable shooting it because of the extent of pitting. Breechplug turned out easily. I believe I will ream the bore to .750", and install a seamless tubing liner. Gun is light enough that it will still be handy if the barrel is made a bit heavier.
