Help identify pistol

Kruzn · Nov 29, 2024

Picked this up at my LGS today. No brand or model markings. Has a serial number, but no other clues. Not sure on caliber.

It appears to me to be a replica kit gun of some type and looks like it was never fired. The grip has been hand-carved.

I have never seen one like it. I thought it was pretty cool, so it followed me home.

Any help is appreciated.

Robert an saa fan · Nov 29, 2024

Your pistol is a Classic Arms New Orleans Ace. Uses a .440 patched round ball.

IIRC they usually had CMC marked on them in addition to the serial number.

For more information do a search here on the MLF and on the internet.

Kruzn · Nov 29, 2024

Robert an saa fan said:
Your pistol is a Classic Arms New Orleans Ace. Uses a .440 patched round ball.

IIRC they usually had CMC marked on them in addition to the serial number.

For more information do a search here on the MLF and on the internet.

Thanks!

Any idea on value?

Robert an saa fan · Nov 29, 2024

Have not followed values closely but guesstimate is $125 to $175 depending on where sold and interest. One recently sold on MLF for $135 shipped and insured.

Kruzn · Nov 29, 2024

Robert an saa fan said:
Have not followed values closely but guesstimate is $125 to $175 depending on where sold and interest. One recently sold on MLF for $135 shipped and insured.

Thanks. I paid $100, so in the ballpark. I'll have fun fixing it up a bit and probably shoot it.

nick_1 · Nov 30, 2024

That was my very first pistol. I bought it out of the back of a field and stream magazine when I was perhaps 12 or 13years old. Dirt cheap. Quite useless. You can't even sight down the barrel because the hammer is in the way. I fairly quickly up graded to a Navy arms confederate 51 navy.

Newly O’Brian · Nov 30, 2024

Actually, it uses a .420" to .424" prb, NOT .440"

Been there done that, best of luck

Robert an saa fan · Nov 30, 2024

Newly O’Brian said:
Actually, it uses a .420" to .424" prb, NOT .440"

Been there done that, best of luck

Interesting; seems like these were made with two bore diameters?

Think the New Orleans Ace was made in two separate time periods. Past references I have seen state to use a .440 patched round ball.

Somewhere in secure storage I have a Classic Arms pistol which has a manual covering all their models. If / when found will post what it shows if anything is stated about ball size.

Found the pictured instruction page online which shows .440 but looks like print was set up to have a different caliber marked if needed.

Newly O’Brian · Nov 30, 2024

Haha, yeah I originally followed their recommendations and was perplexed as to their instructions

Kruzn · Nov 30, 2024

Thanks for the help guys. Great info.

My pistol has a rifled barrel, so perhaps that makes a difference? I will break out the calipers and see what it measures. Do I measure the lands or the grooves?

nick_1 · Nov 30, 2024

mine was a smoothbore.

Newly O’Brian · Dec 1, 2024

Groove diameter

Ricb · Dec 1, 2024

I have one of these. If it is a smooth bore, the recommended ball size is .424 with a .015 patch. If rifled, the recommended ball size is .440, with a .010 patch or a .450 conical minie without a patch. Recommended powder load is 18 grains of FFF black powder. This info comes from the
original instruction sheet.

Kruzn · Dec 1, 2024

Ricb said:
I have one of these. If it is a smooth bore, the recommended ball size is .424 with a .015 patch. If rifled, the recommended ball size is .440, with a .010 patch or a .450 conical minie without a patch. Recommended powder load is 18 grains of FFF black powder. This info comes from the
original instruction sheet.

Awesome! Thanks!

Oldbear63 · Dec 2, 2024

Kruzn said:
Thanks. I paid $100, so in the ballpark. I'll have fun fixing it up a bit and probably shoot it.

I bought a NO Ace kit for my stepfather as a birthday gift many years ago. When he began to finish and polish the kit he found a rifling scar that discouraged him. I went out and bought another kit ($19) and traded barrels. Mine I finished to shoot and after the first shot I was hooked!

Now, many years later I have a pair. You can't hit anything further away than 20 feet, but its still fun.

nick_1 · Dec 2, 2024

I stuffed mine with as much powder and whatever projectiles I could fit in there.

Kruzn · Dec 2, 2024

Ricb said:
I have one of these. If it is a smooth bore, the recommended ball size is .424 with a .015 patch. If rifled, the recommended ball size is .440, with a .010 patch or a .450 conical minie without a patch. Recommended powder load is 18 grains of FFF black powder. This info comes from the
original instruction sheet.

Awesome! Thanks!

Poguetx · Dec 2, 2024

The New Orleans Ace was one of the first kits I built right out of high school 45 years or so ago. Mine is smooth bore. It's odd bore size makes me shoot a 40 caliber ball with double patch, and about 15gr of powder. I didn't know they ever made rifled ones.

Help identify pistol

Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:

50 cal

Attachments

50 Cal.

50 cal

50 Cal.

50 cal

50 Cal.

12ga, 32, 36, 44, 45, 54 and 58 cal

50 Cal.

Attachments

12ga, 32, 36, 44, 45, 54 and 58 cal

50 cal

50 Cal.

12ga, 32, 36, 44, 45, 54 and 58 cal

32 Cal

50 cal

40 Cal

50 Cal.

50 cal

Pilgrim

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!