Shooting like it was 1860s

[ruhler]

Yesterday me and my friends went to the range for some blackpowdershooting, we all shot original cap&ball revolvers.

My original remington 1858 new army, Just got to the range so I took a picture before it got dirty.


Loaded up with 20grains of blackpowder 2F with wads and .454 roundball and some "blackpowdergrease", in the background you see my old "blackpowder rangebag"


Its a challenge each time shooting this revolver because its the original frontsight I have to aim a lot lower on 25meters since the revolver back in the days was centered at 70meters I belive. Aim at the right place and it performs just as well as a modern firearm. Since im careful with this revolver I have replaced the nipples and mainspring with new parts not because it was something wrong with them but im careful with wearing on those parts after all its a original revolver in good shape so I save them as they are.

[Mags]

Really like hearing about the original firearms and the stories past and current that go with them. Thank you for sharing.

[ruhler]

Really like hearing about the original firearms and the stories past and current that go with them. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks its made around 1864, has armymarks and cartochstamp. It has some heavy pitting on the side around the grip (left side) and on the hammer indicating its probably bloodpitting, without it it would probably much more valuable but I really like the mystic around it often wonders what happened to that soldier?

[PT7]

To have a history-loaded, Civil War era BP revolver like yours is cool.
And the pictures you posted look to be in very good condition for that many years gone by.

It possibly could have more gun shop "value" to it as you said, without the blems or age. But you placed a greater value on it, in my thinking, when you said "I really like the mystic around it often wonders what happened to that soldier?"

Very nice Range Report...thanks for the interesting post!

[Abnermal]

If only that revolver could talk! Neat gun and great report!

[JEBar]

outstanding .... thanks for posting the pictures and comments

[Mistered]

but I really like the mystic around it often wonders what happened to that soldier?

While it's fun to 'wonder' about the history of a gun unless you have some specific provenance as to the ownership you will of course never know.
Because it was made 'around 1864' - and the Civil War ended in May of 1865 it most likely NEVER saw a day on the battlefield. Also the condition supports this as most guns that saw action NEVER came back in this good of condition. Take a look at the pic of my dads 'Duffle Bag' Victory Smith & Wesson - I doubt it ever made it out of the US - and it was made in 1942 so it had time to get there before the war ended. I also have a similar situation with my 1899 Winchester Klondike 30-30. While it's fun to think it was carried on the saddle of cowboy or for other exciting uses it's condition suggests it probably rarely made it out of the closet of the home in San Francisco it 'lived' in.
Regardless your Remington is a great gun in fantastic condition you are lucky to own!

[ruhler]

Glad you like it, Its history is unknown but the pittings makes the imagination spinning. Mabye a soldier had it, maybe a bandit, lawman or a cowboy we will never know for sure, I bought as a shooter and wanted one in great condition. I took some more pictures after cleaning and the bore is really shiny, the frame has a lot of bluing left a little less on the left side where the "thumbgrip" is with the pittings.

[Mistered]

The pitting on the left side suggests it laid on something (for a long time) that drew moisture and eventually eroded this area.
Ironically my 1899 Winchester has a similar issue. While the rest of the gun is in pretty good shape there is one area of the mag tube that looks about the same - and I suspect it laid against something that drew moisture and pitted it. It had been in a closet for 50 years - I'll post a pic later.

[North Country Gal]

Love seeing black powder shooting posts, all the more so with an original. Great post. Thanks.

[ESquared]

You guys are like museum curators! Thanks for sharing, all of you!

The pitting in Ruhler's example looks like it may just have sat in a holster forever. Looks like contact-induced corrosion of some sort. The thought of it sitting in a cowboy's leather holster for years is what I'm gonna go with.

[BigAl52]

Ruhler
Thanks for your post and glad you had a good time with an original BP revolver. Its neat to see some blackpowder shooting in the range reports for sure. I have several revolvers and quite a few rifles in flint and caplock both. None of mine are original and the fact that your is makes it even neater. Doesnt matter where its been all these years or how it got in the condition that its in now. It would be neat to know but the fact that it still functions and is giving you enjoyment is very cool.

[ruhler]

Ruhler
Thanks for you post and glad you had a good time with an original BP revolver. Its neat to see some blackpowder shooting in the range reports for sure. I have several revolvers and quite a few rifles in flint and caplock both. None of mine are original and the fact that your is makes it even neater. Doesnt matter where its been all these years or how it got in the condition that its in now. It would be neat to know but the fact that it still functions and is giving you enjoyment is very cool.

When getting into blackpowdershooting I really never expected it to be so fun, the friendship among shooters and collectors lots of laugh and lots of stories and history and showing something cool items they found all from weapons to militaria. And then the shootingpart with loadingprocess, blackpowder, primers and grease and then the smoke, smell and dirt its basic pure fun. You can get to the range stressed out and leaving with a smile on your face.

[PT7]

Yes to it all
These are the very best of shooting range times.

Reading your steps in the loading process sounds most relaxing. I don't get as dirty, of course, slowly loading, shooting, and unloading a S/A revolver, but the slowed-downed pace does mellow things out nicely. Great to leave the range & friends with a smile, and breathing out a relaxed "Ahhh" as you head home.

When getting into blackpowdershooting I really never expected it to be so fun, the friendship among shooters and collectors lots of laugh and lots of stories and history and showing something cool items they found all from weapons to militaria. And then the shootingpart with loadingprocess, blackpowder, primers and grease and then the smoke, smell and dirt its basic pure fun. You can get to the range stressed out and leaving with a smile on your face.

[Mistered]

Yep BP shooting is a lot of fun and, as previously mentioned about as low stress as it gets.
Been doing it a long time myself and wished more were getting into it but sadly it's a dying sport.

[North Country Gal]

I don't know if black powder shooting is a dying sport as much as it's been a sport with fewer participants, these days. Not arguing, here, just looking at it a bit, differently. What I'm saying is that I don't think it will ever disappear, entirely. It's been my experience that the number of shooters who shoot black power for fun and enjoyment, just for the sake of shooting black powder, has stayed much the same over the years. It's a small, but active group. Have known some of these traditional shooters all my life.

The shooters who have disappeared in great numbers are the ones who took up black powder to take advantage of extra shooting seasons and opportunities. These are the same shooters who have lined up in numbers to accept in line muzzle loading and modern muzzle loading, scopes and all, thanks to game agencies that have liberalized the definition of primitive weapons. Not criticizing these muzzle loader folks - have shot in-lines, myself - but I sincerely hope that there will always be enough of the traditional shooters to carry on the tradition to the next generation. I've also shot traditional and have been thinking of doing it, again. I'll do my part.

[BigAl52]

I agree with you NCG. I might also add that what many of us traditionalist need to do is introduce the traditional blackpowder shooting to the younger shooters. Alot of the younger crowd only knows the spray and pray method of an AR-15 or a semi auto handgun. Its kind of like history class in school anymore most kids now a days have no clue about anything to do with WW 2. Like Ruhler mention the camaraderie that goes on behind the firing line is informative and fun. I agree you can go to the range stressed and come away relaxed its that much fun. Ive got revolvers and flintlocks I havent shot. I need more time. Its coming soon.

[Mistered]

Alot of the younger crowd only knows the spray and pray method of an AR-15 or a semi auto handgun.

And herein is the problem - typically most in this 'crowd' did not grow up in a shooting/hunting/outdoors family and to them these guns are 'tactical' , for defense only, SHTF scenarios and several other phantasmagorical situations.
Their only guidance has been AR15.com, 'black gun' manufacturing websites & cheap bulk ammo
As far as those of us who shoot BP I suspect the greater number of us grew up in an outdoors environment and got into into BP as an extension of our interest in shooting, the tradition and history of the early mountain men & women and ultimately for some transitioning into BP hunting - but doing so with traditional BP rifles (as I did - I don't even regard inlines as 'muzzleloaders')
I know some very 'hard core' traditionalists - some having been long time participants in 'rendezvous' and other gatherings and the one thing they say is the numbers are dropping every year. Even in Oregon some of the BP activities that were once popular have very few members anymore or have ceased completely - and there are very few (nearly no) new getting involved.
Good luck bringing new people into BP as I just don't think the level of 'traditional' thinking, or the interest and respect for history exists anymore.
However as a testament to MY dedication the attached video is the first shot after I laboriously restored a Thompson/Center .54 Cal Renegade last year that was given to me and had suffered tremendous neglect. A lot of hard work brought it back to probably 90% condition and I'll let the video speak for itself...

[Mags]

dialog about flash deleted

[Mistered]

try it now