Is this a real gun? | TheaterFire

[-]

km1697369@reddit

It’s a real “gun” but is considered to be a primitive weapon, at least in the states. It’s a single shot cap and ball. No clue on the make or model. But it should in theory work if you load x amount of black powder, then a lead round ball with wadding, then put probably either a #10 or #11 percussion cap on the nipple. I’d be weary of shooting it though, it’s probably a reproduction but if you plan to shoot it find a local gunsmith to check it out and make sure it’s good to go first.

[-]

Vampvher@reddit (OP)

Thank you so much,we are british so. and don’t have any bullets but thank you so so much!!!

[-]

ilikerelish@reddit

Oof.. this kind of negates my suggestion to use American retailers to replace the missing ramrod.. It's not impossible, ore really even that hard to make 'shot' for that thing, you just need to measure the bore to determine what the true diameter is. Then find a twist drill that is a few thousandths smaller than that diameter and use it to drill into a piece of hardwood a little past 1/2" deep, then melt a ladle of lead, and pour it into the chamber until it is flush with the surface of the wood, extract when done, wait a few for the wood to cool and repeat. This will produce a faux mini bullet. To finish you'll want to use a piece of broad cloth or dress shirt and cut small patches about 1.25-1.5" diameter. Melt a candle over them and coat both sides thinly with wax or rub them down with beeswax saddle soap or shoe polish. That's all for the projectile. I think you lads can still get black powder over there, so I won't go into making that, leaving you only to have to find percussion caps (not musket) the smaller #11s. Though those can be made with a little effort too using soda cans and match heads.

[-]

ThePenultimateNinja@reddit

Oof.. this kind of negates my suggestion to use American retailers to replace the missing ramrod.. It's not impossible, ore really even that hard to make 'shot' for that thing, you just need to measure the bore to determine what the true diameter is. Then find a twist drill that is a few thousandths smaller than that diameter and use it to drill into a piece of hardwood a little past 1/2" deep, then melt a ladle of lead, and pour it into the chamber until it is flush with the surface of the wood, extract when done, wait a few for the wood to cool and repeat. This will produce a faux mini bullet. To finish you'll want to use a piece of broad cloth or dress shirt and cut small patches about 1.25-1.5" diameter. Melt a candle over them and coat both sides thinly with wax or rub them down with beeswax saddle soap or shoe polish. That's all for the projectile. I think you lads can still get black powder over there, so I won't go into making that, leaving you only to have to find percussion caps (not musket) the smaller #11s. Though those can be made with a little effort too using soda cans and match heads.

OP, be aware that the person above is advising to you commit a serious crime. The mandatory minimum prison sentence is five years.

If the pistol is a genuine antique, it is legal for you to own it as long as you never attempt to fire it, or possess the materials necessary to fire it.

[-]

ilikerelish@reddit

There is nothing illegal about knowledge. There may be legal preclusions in trying to put it to use depending on locale. In the US, cap and ball pistols aren't even guns according to the federal government. That may differ for someone in England, it is always up to the individual to know the rights and responsibilities in their own locale and act accordingly.

It could also be the case that this individual has, or may want to make a presentation case as were once very popular in the UK. It is customary to have a flask, and shot in the case with the arm even if just for display.

[-]

ThePenultimateNinja@reddit

I agree with you, it's just that you presented it as a set of instructions. OP obviously knows very little about guns, and might not have realized what a serious crime it would be to carry out those instructions in the UK.

It could also be the case that this individual has, or may want to make a presentation case as were once very popular in the UK. It is customary to have a flask, and shot in the case with the arm even if just for display.

Even possessing the projectiles might be construed as intent. I understand that you didn't mean any harm, it's just that, as an American, it is difficult for you to grasp just how unhinged UK gun laws are.

There is nothing illegal about knowledge.

Unfortunately, that is not the case in the UK. You can go to prison for possessing information that the government doesn't like.

For example, you said this:

it is always up to the individual to know the rights and responsibilities in their own locale and act accordingly.

but if OP wanted to research that information online to make sure they weren't breaking any laws, it is quite possible that they might get a knock on the door from the police.

I understand how crazy this must seem to you as an American. I'm originally from the UK, but I live in America now, and it seems crazy to me too.

[-]

ilikerelish@reddit

Christ.. I understood things had gotten draconian there to the point that social media posts could get you a visit, but I didn't realize that they pervasively monitored individual internet use looking for things to charge. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, if that level of spying on the populous is happening here, I suppose it's foolish to think it isn't there.

[-]

ImJoogle@reddit

back in those days people just melted metal down. this is in no way a suggestion as the british government can kick rocks

[-]

JimMarch@reddit

What you have could be worth significant money.

It's a percussion single shot pistol however it has a lot of the characteristics of a gun that was originally flintlock but converted to percussion. It also appears to be an actual relic rather than a reproduction.

If I recall correctly, just remembering off hand, the switch over from flintlock firing systems to percussion happened approximately from 1815 or so and lasted a couple of decades. During this time a lot of older flintlock actions were converted to percussion. I'm not 100% sure this is a conversion but it has a lot of the characteristics you find in conversions.

If it's a conversion it could date all the way back to the 1700s.

[-]

SwedishFool@reddit

Don't let people know about it then, I hear it's quite common for blue men to show up and destroy thing over there.

[-]

km1697369@reddit

You’re welcome, I’m not well versed in black powder firearms, but I’m sure somebody else will step in with more information on it. Could also try posting in r/blackpowder I’m sure they’ll be able to help

[-]

DrunkenArmadillo@reddit

Many of the components look to be original, but the barrel looks to have been a later replacement based on the photos I'm seeing.

[-]

ostinnelson@reddit

Cap and Ball Revolvers have an action that both unlocks the hammer to fire the gun, and revolve the cylinder one rotation.

Cap Locks have an action that just unlocks the hammer.

[-]

ThePenultimateNinja@reddit

I think their point is that both percussion revolvers and single-shot percussion pistols use caps and balls, but we don't refer to percussion pistols as 'cap and ball pistols'.

[-]

thatG_evanP@reddit

Do you prefer patched or bare balls?

[-]

Crawfisha@reddit

It’s not legally considered a firearm but it will shoot lead balls

[-]

Party_Stack@reddit

In the US. OP is British. BB guns with any more than like 10 ft. lbs of muzzle energy require a license there, god forbid muzzle loaders.

[-]

ThePenultimateNinja@reddit

A genuine antique muzzleloader is legal to own without a license, as long as you do not intend to fire it.

If you do intend to fire it, you have to get a license. You also need a license to possess a modern reproduction, whether or not you intend to fire it.

I'm sure the antique 'loophole' will be closed eventually.

[-]

Crawfisha@reddit

That is just fucking stupid

[-]

Party_Stack@reddit

“You can own a gun but only if you don’t fire it” is some seriously goofy shit

[-]

ThePenultimateNinja@reddit

The entirety of UK gun law is some seriously goofy shit.

[-]

Inspi@reddit

Saw the police in the UK lay a blanket down on the ground and politely ask a suspect to lay down on it and put their hands behind their back so they could arrest them for having a rubber band gun that was too powerful once. /j

[-]

Crawfisha@reddit

Thought If a guy randomly was given a muzzle loader it was probably in the us cuz I assume in Britain you can just give someone a gun in your family like the us

[-]

Crawfisha@reddit

O h

[-]

TacticalBoyScout@reddit

Not so fun fact, but it is in NJ

[-]

tehminioven@reddit

Julian this is a pirate's gun

[-]

ilikerelish@reddit

It appears to be a percussion version of a Queen Anne pistol replica. The kind meant for shootin, not just looking at. It is for use with black powder, cap, and ball, not for metallic cartridges. The ATF has deemed these a non-gun as the tech is so archaic. An important notion is that you need to use a bore light and take off the stock to check every centimeter of the metal to ensure that there is no rust or rust pitting if you intend to shoot it. Black powder is corrosive, and if the residue is left on the gun it will cause rust and corrosion. Likewise, after use you need to clean it thoroughly with soapy warm water to neutralize the salt, then dry and thoroughly oil it to preserve it. I can't tell you what the charge would be or caliber, you'll have to research and measure. You also appear to be missing the ram rod. A stick usually stored under the barrel capped with brass. You can go to Trackofthewolf, Dixie, etc to find a replacement.

[-]

Prodrumer43@reddit

tally ho lads

[-]

macncheesepro24@reddit

Own a musket for home defense, since that's what the founding fathers intended. Four ruffians break into my house. "What the devil?" As I grab my powdered wig and Kentucky rifle. Blow a golf ball sized hole through the first man, he's dead on the spot. Draw my pistol on the second man, miss him entirely because it's smoothbore and nails the neighbors dog. I have to resort to the cannon mounted at the top of the stairs loaded with grape shot, "Tally ho lads" the grape shot shreds two men in the blast, the sound and extra shrapnel set off car alarms. Fix bayonet and charge the last terrified rapscallion. He Bleeds out waiting on the police to arrive since triangular bayonet wounds are impossible to stitch up. Just as the founding fathers intended.

[-]

Peacemkr45@reddit

Can we hold off til Monday? my Powdered wig is at the powdered wig shop getting repowdered. (I was stupid and wore it while it was raining and instead of a powdered wig, it became a pasty wig and made me look like I just got off the set of a bukkake video. )

[-]

mck2018@reddit

Julian…..this is a pirates gun……

[-]

AltGunAccount@reddit

For when a scallywag pulls up asking for yer doubloons and you gotta give ‘im the what for.

[-]

sahovaman@reddit

It looks decorative... But what will tell you for SURE is

If the barrel goes ALL THE WAY BACK
If there is a small hole where the hammer hits for a cap to blast off.
Touching on no. 2. If you shine a light down the barrel, you MIGHT be able to see a LITTLE bit of light.

A lot of those types of pistols if real (not all) have a ram rod built into them, for convenience of loading.

[-]

danngree@reddit

It looks real. You need black powder and percussion caps to make it go bang. Use a caliper or read the markings to see what balls you’ll need.

[-]

thatG_evanP@reddit

I can answer that without having to have a caliper. To fire that thing without having it inspected first, you're going to need very large balls.

[-]

Shidd1312@reddit

Well done

[-]

Zeired_Scoffa@reddit

In the us? Not according to the ATF

[-]

ChadAznable0080@reddit

Likely from around the 1830’s or thereabouts, federally and in most US states that’s considered an antique pre 1899 under the Gun Control act of 1968 meaning it’s not a regulated item as it’s considered to be more likely to be a collectible then used as a weapon.

[-]