R.Johnson model 1836

Hello everyone first post here so sorry if this is in the wrong place but I recently picked up an original model 1836 made by R.Johnson it’s definitely all original the bore looks very good action works great on half cock and full cock the nipple still has very thick walls and looks good the negative is the powder burns around the nipple area I was wondering if it’s a good idea to shoot this (I don’t like lookers) and possibly value does it have a removable beech plug and should I even bother trying to get it out I looked it over really good and seems safe to me but this is my first original it appears to be .54 cal I can add more pictures later during the week when I pick it up unfortunately I bought it in NJ and they classify it as a firearm so I had to ship it to my PA ffl

I have one of those and I take her to the range two or three times a year. I don’t believe I would try to pull my breech plug….no reason to anyway.

Thank you for your response I’m going to take it tomorrow and maybe start with 35 grains of double f the nipple looks like it’s frozen in on my modern muzzleloaders I always remove the nipple to clean is this necessary or should I not mess with it thanks

ceb427 said:

Thank you for your response I’m going to take it tomorrow and maybe start with 35 grains of double f the nipple looks like it’s frozen in on my modern muzzleloaders I always remove the nipple to clean is this necessary or should I not mess with it thanks

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Almost 200-year old metal, I’d wait and pull the nipple only if I had to. I did have to file the outside of the cone on mine when I first got her, just a little bit, because it was a little mushroomed out from years of dry fires. The caps weren’t doing right until I did that…..

These guns are so darn handsome!! I was hooked by a cover of American Rifleman in 1962, was a pair of them there, the H. Astons or whatever. They are so beautifully classic and simple, I don't know why no maker ever reproduced them! Saw one recently for about 900, simply not in the market for one at this point, but would love to have one to shoot! Good luck with yours, I'd "mos' def" shoot if I had a sound one.

Just a little update I took it to the gunsmith who inspected the barrel and he told me it’s safe to shoot so I went to the range and fired about 40 shots with a .530 round ball and 30 grains of 2 f powder not accurate at all but I did manage to break the ten ring from 80 feet away as I shot it more and more and swabbed the barrel between shots the bore got better and better upon cleaning the bore looks good no deep pits just frosted all the way down and not very easy to clean from what I presume to be the million tiny pits holding the fouling does this accelerate rust ? Anyway I contacted Bobby Hoyt and he told me he’d reline the bore should I do that or just keep her original

ceb427 said:

Just a little update I took it to the gunsmith who inspected the barrel and he told me it’s safe to shoot so I went to the range and fired about 40 shots with a .530 round ball and 30 grains of 2 f powder not accurate at all but I did manage to break the ten ring from 80 feet away as I shot it more and more and swabbed the barrel between shots the bore got better and better upon cleaning the bore looks good no deep pits just frosted all the way down and not very easy to clean from what I presume to be the million tiny pits holding the fouling does this accelerate rust ? Anyway I contacted Bobby Hoyt and he told me he’d reline the bore should I do that or just keep her original

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Glad you took her out to shoot! As far as relining the barrel….that’s more of a personal preference based on what makes you happy

The minor pitting around the nipple won't hurt a thing nor will the frosted bore. If you plan on using it seriously in competition you might consider lining the bore but for casual shooting it won't matter. I would eventually remove the nipple after soaking the breech in a penetrant. A 1/4" drive socket with the drive end on the nipple and an allen wrench that fits the "nut" end makes a good nipple wrench. Your accuracy will likely improve as you become more familiar with the gun and you might try different loads of both 2f and 3f though you chose a good starting point.

Keyhole said:

Glad you took her out to shoot! As far as relining the barrel….that’s more of a personal preference based on what makes you happy

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It's not a 'long range' pistol! Was meant for ship-deck or mounted close encounters; try it at 15 yds. and you'll see! 80 ft. is asking too much of it. Great that you actually got it 'working' again!!

springfield art said:

It's not a 'long range' pistol! Was meant for ship-deck or mounted close encounters; try it at 15 yds. and you'll see! 80 ft. is asking too much of it. Great that you actually got it 'working' again!!

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Your absolutely correct I would never otherwise shoot it from this distance it just so happens the range I took it too the firing line as that far away there’s nothing closer it did hit the target every time from that distance and I presume with a patched ball it will tighten up that was just powder on top of ball

ceb427 said:

Your absolutely correct I would never otherwise shoot it from this distance it just so happens the range I took it too the firing line as that far away there’s nothing closer it did hit the target every time from that distance and I presume with a patched ball it will tighten up that was just powder on top of ball

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That’s only 25 yards. I’ll bet the gun will surprise you when you’ve got a good load sorted out.