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The description for loading is with "Colt's patent foil cartridges". These were loaded with a pointed bullet, generically referred to as a "ball" much like the use of the term "Minie Ball" for the rifled musket bullet. There are surviving examples of these in cartridge collections as well as...

Interesting. I had a pistol that I picked up at an estate sale that had a lot in common with yours. In particular the lock, barrel, butt cap and trigger guard. Cannot help you with the stock as the one I had was restocked (American Maple I believe) and was full length with a matching ram rod...

Impressive! I've always been fascinated by these guns, suspect this is one of the reasons they were not more popular. I have and shoot one of the Remington revolving rifles and it certainly produces a nice, large flash and blast right in front of your face with a 25gr charge! The Hall should...

I think if it was limited to externally primed, pre -1865 firearms it would be fine. This would allow for guns like the Hall, the Sharps, the Burnside and others but would eliminate the self contained cartridge guns which mostly came along later and don't fit the time frame of the forum. And...

Zimmerstutzen, your post illustrates the value of the metal can as a storage device (durable and does a good job of keeping moisture out) and even surviving heat exposure from a fire (that must have sucked, have been involved in enough post fire cleanups to know how a fire can really mess things...

I think the key point about old powder deteriorating or not revolves around one thing: moisture absorption. If the container is reasonably air tight it keeps moisture out, even if the powder inside were roughly handled enough to break down the grain size or affect the glazing if the moisture is...

Actually I love to see nice older guns like these. I think the French piece is interesting, especially the way the locks are made. Almost looks like a conversion. The stock work is nice too.

First long gun was a CVA Kentucky rifle that I built from a kit. I had already built a couple pistol kits and had several cap and ball revolvers (what can I say? just really love handguns). Was happy with the way the kit came out and later got my first deer with a muzzle loader using it, still...

Never returned one so I can't speak to your replacement theory. CVA breech can be taken apart and put back together, proper alignment is vital on re-assembly. Not the easiest job in the world but not impossible. No evidence of "crush threading" (which a previous poster seemed concerned about)...

Woodbury is closed. I have been told that Old English Outfitters in Vandalia carries black powder but haven't been that way in several years so you might want to call them before going there. Not aware of anyone else in the area you're asking about who does carry it or even have much in the way...

The white powder is lead oxide, yes it is corrosion. I have used such projectiles without any issues in the past though you should take care when handling them (wash your hands, don't lick your fingers, etc.). They can be cleaned and I know I have read multiple ways to do it on this forum as the...

Kings Semi-smokeless was created as a cleaner substitute for black powder a long, long time ago. It's primary use was in loading cartridge ammo but was supposed to be suitable for muzzle loaders according to some sources. It has been out of production for many years (before WW II if I remember...

I really wish I knew. The only thing I can figure is that since you must use it by setting the trigger you always have the same, very light pull. No choice of trigger options. Maybe they felt it led to more consistent and accurate shooting. Also no need for a fly in the lock since no half cock...

I have an original half stock set up this way. The lock itself has no half cock notch on the tumbler just a smooth rounded surface. The trigger has to be set for the gun to fire, the front trigger arm cannot reach the sear lever, only the set trigger arm can. I've heard this type setup was...

There were a number of ways military guns of the time ended up in civilian hands, often very quickly after issue too. First, of course was theft, deserters would sometimes take their weapon with them. Some might keep it but others would sell it. I have also seen old reports of soldiers being...

Sam Colt was very actively selling his guns in the southern states before the war started. According to a couple of Colt history books I have shipments were being made up to shortly before the war actually started. The brass/bronze frame revolvers came along later to supplement supplies for an...

I've built a couple revolver kits before, the brass frame ones I had didn't have a serial number. The CVA ones did have the CVA logo and had the frame smoothed out a bit. A Dixie kit had the frame left rough with just Dixie on the barrel. I don't remember if it had a serial (traded it off a...

Not sure who the actual owner is but both revolvers were on display at the Ohio Gun Collectors show a few years ago along with a sword and other items that had belonged to Walker. Was told that the last member of the family had sold all the items (no one to leave them to?). Supposedly one of...

I have a uberti 31 pocket that has worked perfectly since I bought it, no issues at all. Also picked up a used CVA 36 brass frame pocket police that works very well. Only one I had that had problems was one of the Remington 31 pocket models. Needed some de-burring before it would work smoothly...

The first muzzle loader I ever built was one of these. The flintlock kit was fun and I still have it after all these years. I put a bead front sight on it but never did add a rear one. Try to take it to the range at least once in a while