Very old and Loaded - The Firearms Forum

rcurrent · 10-03-2009, 07:32 PM

OK, I have an old smooth bore that's been loaded for probably about 70+ years, and have a couple of questions.

Should I be concerned?

How should I go about clearing whatever is left in there?

I have no intention of ever trying shoot it, just a wall hanger, but I'd really like for the wall it hangs on to stay in one piece.

Thanks

Oneida Steve · 10-03-2009, 08:01 PM

Can we assume that this is a muzzleloading gun?

If it was properly loaded back when, it is still capable of firing, but not without either a percussion cap (if a caplock gun) or priming powder for the pan (if a flintlock).

I would not recommend a novice fool around with a loaded gun like this. If you want to make the gun 100% safe you can take it to a gunsmith. Any gunsmith can pull the bullet and powder charge for you for not much money.

This probably isn't necessary for safety, however. Without a separate percussion cap or priming the gun will not fire.

rcurrent · 10-03-2009, 08:20 PM

Sorry. Yes, it's a muzzle loader, about 32" barrel and about 0.7 bore. It is percussion, and the nipple is just about completely gone. The only markings I've found are "Real Twist" on the barrel, and "Dayton" on the lock plate. Probably not worth much to anyone but me, one of those family things. I would not trust it with any gunsmith I know.

Not exactly a novice, but have never dealt with really old black powder, and just don't know how dangerous that stuff is.

Thanks

Alpo · 10-03-2009, 08:50 PM

This might be considered a little picky, but it does not need a percussion cap to fire. It just needs some heat source coming in the nipple. Stupid teenager with a Bic lighter would do it.

If it was mine, I'd unload it.

johnlives4christ · 10-04-2009, 04:55 AM

i wouldnt be afraid to put a cap on it and shoot it. worst that could happen is it just fizzes. if that happens then take you some wd40 and shoot it through the nipple and soak (really soak) the powder charge with it. then dont worry about it

GMFWoodchuck · 10-04-2009, 07:31 AM

If you have access to an air compressor you might be able to rig something up to just blow the ball and powder out. That's how game wardens used to do it here in New York. They had some gadget to make sure you where using the "right" type of projectiles. Course now we can use sabots and whatnot. But it's still possible.

AL MOUNT · 10-04-2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnlives4christ

i wouldnt be afraid to put a cap on it and shoot it.
worst that could happen is it just fizzes.

He says as he looks up and sees daylight thru

the new hole in the ceiling and roof.....

300 H&H · 10-04-2009, 08:09 AM

What about a ball screw on the end of a ramrod? Or if it is a shot load, could not it be gotten out with a patch screw, and some digging and dumping? What about removing the barrel and soaking the breech end, stading it in a coffee can full of a light oil? I guess a gunsmith would do, but for me that is 75 miles away. I like the compressed air idea, too. So take your pick.....

Regards, Kirk

Alpo · 10-04-2009, 09:24 AM

Could get one of these. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=278589

Uses a standard CO2 cartridge to blow the charge out the barrel. Fifteen bucks is probably cheaper than a gunsmith would charge.

rcurrent · 10-04-2009, 05:00 PM

He says as he looks up and sees daylight thru

the new hole in the ceiling and roof.....

One of the concerns I have!

From what I can tell, that stuff is about as ready to go BANG now as it ever was, and probably no more likely to. I'm certainly not going to do that on purpose, and hope to not do it accidentally.

For the time being, I think I'll just leave it alone.

Thanks all.

Helix_FR · 10-08-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpo

Could get one of these. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=278589

Uses a standard CO2 cartridge to blow the charge out the barrel. Fifteen bucks is probably cheaper than a gunsmith would charge.

that thing was cool. To bad they discontinued it.

johnlives4christ · 10-08-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcurrent

He says as he looks up and sees daylight thru

the new hole in the ceiling and roof.....

One of the concerns I have!

From what I can tell, that stuff is about as ready to go BANG now as it ever was, and probably no more likely to. I'm certainly not going to do that on purpose, and hope to not do it accidentally.

For the time being, I think I'll just leave it alone.

Thanks all.

why does it everyone thinks i would shoot it inside? *shakin my head*

Tanselman · 11-02-2009, 08:25 PM

If it were my gun, l'd put about an ounce of WD-40 or other penetrating oil down the barrel and let it soak. It will kill the black powder and stop any chance of mishaps, until you have time to remove the load. Shelby Gallien

williamd · 11-02-2009, 09:02 PM

I was given one that my GGGP used in revolution. 1863 Springfield by A.Jenks of PA. Had an old charge in it. I sat it in diesel (receiver down) for a week. Put in padded vice and screwed the bbl off. That charge was such a mess that I doubt it would have ever fired, but .... After I got most of the old charge gunk out I had to ream the chamber area to rid it of build up and bring it back to 58 cal. Even managed to use old nipple! Essentially original except forward wood piece is missing. Shoots nice! No reason not to shoot them. 58 cal ball or bird shot in mine. Just have to plan ahead a second!

armedandsafe · 11-02-2009, 11:23 PM

Try this one. I have one and love it.

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0006480.shtml

Pops

Buffalochip · 11-03-2009, 07:06 AM

Blackpowder becomes very unstable as it ages. I'd remove the barrel and soak it in a barrel of water for a day or two before using a bullet extractor to pull the ball. Then clean it real good, dry it by pouring boiling water down the barrel, and then spray it real good with WD40.

10-03-2009, 07:32 PM	#1
rcurrent Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	Very old and Loaded OK, I have an old smooth bore that's been loaded for probably about 70+ years, and have a couple of questions. Should I be concerned? How should I go about clearing whatever is left in there? I have no intention of ever trying shoot it, just a wall hanger, but I'd really like for the wall it hangs on to stay in one piece. Thanks -->

10-03-2009, 08:01 PM	#2
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,029	Re: Very old and Loaded Can we assume that this is a muzzleloading gun? If it was properly loaded back when, it is still capable of firing, but not without either a percussion cap (if a caplock gun) or priming powder for the pan (if a flintlock). I would not recommend a novice fool around with a loaded gun like this. If you want to make the gun 100% safe you can take it to a gunsmith. Any gunsmith can pull the bullet and powder charge for you for not much money. This probably isn't necessary for safety, however. Without a separate percussion cap or priming the gun will not fire.

10-03-2009, 08:20 PM	#3
rcurrent Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Very old and Loaded Sorry. Yes, it's a muzzle loader, about 32" barrel and about 0.7 bore. It is percussion, and the nipple is just about completely gone. The only markings I've found are "Real Twist" on the barrel, and "Dayton" on the lock plate. Probably not worth much to anyone but me, one of those family things. I would not trust it with any gunsmith I know. Not exactly a novice, but have never dealt with really old black powder, and just don't know how dangerous that stuff is. Thanks

10-03-2009, 08:50 PM	#4
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: Very old and Loaded This might be considered a little picky, but it does not need a percussion cap to fire. It just needs some heat source coming in the nipple. Stupid teenager with a Bic lighter would do it. If it was mine, I'd unload it. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

10-04-2009, 04:55 AM	#5
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Very old and Loaded i wouldnt be afraid to put a cap on it and shoot it. worst that could happen is it just fizzes. if that happens then take you some wd40 and shoot it through the nipple and soak (really soak) the powder charge with it. then dont worry about it

10-04-2009, 07:31 AM	#6
GMFWoodchuck Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 1,369	Re: Very old and Loaded If you have access to an air compressor you might be able to rig something up to just blow the ball and powder out. That's how game wardens used to do it here in New York. They had some gadget to make sure you where using the "right" type of projectiles. Course now we can use sabots and whatnot. But it's still possible.

10-04-2009, 08:09 AM	#8
300 H&H Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,803	Re: Very old and Loaded What about a ball screw on the end of a ramrod? Or if it is a shot load, could not it be gotten out with a patch screw, and some digging and dumping? What about removing the barrel and soaking the breech end, stading it in a coffee can full of a light oil? I guess a gunsmith would do, but for me that is 75 miles away. I like the compressed air idea, too. So take your pick..... Regards, Kirk

10-04-2009, 09:24 AM	#9
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: Very old and Loaded Could get one of these. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=278589 Uses a standard CO2 cartridge to blow the charge out the barrel. Fifteen bucks is probably cheaper than a gunsmith would charge. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

10-04-2009, 05:00 PM	#10
rcurrent Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Very old and Loaded He says as he looks up and sees daylight thru the new hole in the ceiling and roof..... One of the concerns I have! From what I can tell, that stuff is about as ready to go BANG now as it ever was, and probably no more likely to. I'm certainly not going to do that on purpose, and hope to not do it accidentally. For the time being, I think I'll just leave it alone. Thanks all.

11-02-2009, 08:25 PM	#13
Tanselman Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 15	Re: Very old and Loaded If it were my gun, l'd put about an ounce of WD-40 or other penetrating oil down the barrel and let it soak. It will kill the black powder and stop any chance of mishaps, until you have time to remove the load. Shelby Gallien

11-02-2009, 09:02 PM	#14
williamd Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 772	Re: Very old and Loaded I was given one that my GGGP used in revolution. 1863 Springfield by A.Jenks of PA. Had an old charge in it. I sat it in diesel (receiver down) for a week. Put in padded vice and screwed the bbl off. That charge was such a mess that I doubt it would have ever fired, but .... After I got most of the old charge gunk out I had to ream the chamber area to rid it of build up and bring it back to 58 cal. Even managed to use old nipple! Essentially original except forward wood piece is missing. Shoots nice! No reason not to shoot them. 58 cal ball or bird shot in mine. Just have to plan ahead a second! __________________ "Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns!" But, we are moving that direction. NRA Benefactor, Vet VN '64-'65 Never sell a gun or a car and you can retire right!!

11-02-2009, 11:23 PM	#15
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: Very old and Loaded Try this one. I have one and love it. http://www.cabelas.com/p-0006480.shtml Pops

11-03-2009, 07:06 AM	#16
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 766	Re: Very old and Loaded Blackpowder becomes very unstable as it ages. I'd remove the barrel and soak it in a barrel of water for a day or two before using a bullet extractor to pull the ball. Then clean it real good, dry it by pouring boiling water down the barrel, and then spray it real good with WD40.