1856 Enfield Cavalry Carbine - Indian Replica

[tenngun]

Like all home loading, the best advice is 'start light and work up.
Enjoy your gun.

Just be sure to get two fg, it’s larger grains then three f. When you count out 89 grains the two f is a little more powder then the three f.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Now to be sure, the 89 grains are in weight of powder, not number of individual grains. Of course we measure grains of powder by volume so that, where appropriate, the lighter density substitutes can be measured and loaded safely.

And I am sure you knew that.

 

[tenngun]

Now to be sure, the 89 grains are in weight of powder, not number of individual grains. Of course we measure grains of powder by volume so that, where appropriate, the lighter density substitutes can be measured and loaded safely.

And I am sure you knew that.

I thought the smiley face gave it away

 

[Britsmoothy]

Just be sure to get two fg, it’s larger grains then three f. When you count out 89 grains the two f is a little more powder then the three f.

If you use 4f you only have to count to 44&1/2

 

[vintovka]

About 6 months ago i sold one these Indian Carbines. It was new unfired and in "577 " smoothbore IIRC, I liked it but for some reason never shot it as 20 plastic gauge wad cups wouldn't fit and i am too old to make my own. Was wandering around a gunshow yesterday (yes an actual gunshow!!) and saw what it thought was my old carbine on a rack. Nope!! This one was like the OPs in .72/12 Gauge. Was very (extremely) reasonable as owner considered it just a souvenir wall decoration. Working on it now. Its unfired, Stock mortises full of sawdust from when it was made and has the usual spots of surface rust under barrel and on steel parts common to Indian made stuff. Bore was packed with black grease. Lock is very (if maybe too strong) and the "capture type" ramrod needs adjustment. May post pics if wanted when its back together. This one i will shoot!! FWIW serial number is like 17,000!!!! (I don't believe it)

 

[vintovka]

Finally got pics up. Note that swivels are brass and not steel. Will try it out soon as "bomber" the squirrel is off the cute list with his pine cone pelting antics.

 

[Dan-O The Mad Scientist]

Yeah, just load it. 3f or what ever.
A .710" ball and no patch should work fine.
Looks like it uses musket caps. Or top hats, that's another name for them.
Have fun.

B.

Does anyone know where I can buy some .70 or .710 round balls? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

 

[vintovka]

Not sure about ball. That's one big chunk of lead to fling. Since posting in 2021. The carbine has really been fun using plastic power piston cups and #6 or 7.5# shot over 70 grains 2 f. Musket caps are still dear which is a downer. May fit a normal cap nipple soon. FWIW one of these just brought an astounding $650 at a local show. Such is the sad tale of our "inflato" bucks. That said we are off in a few minutes to drop 3/4 of a mill on house. Should add MR fox got to Bomber the squirrel before me. Kinda miss the the little PITA.

 

[Dan-O The Mad Scientist]

View attachment 20369 Hello all!

This is my first post as a new member and I'm joining this forum in hopes to gather some answers/advice regarding a new smooth bore I picked up at a gun show yesterday, my first non-centerfire gun. It's got all the looks of the 1856 Enfield Cavalry Carbine to include the hinge-captured ramrod. Evidently an Indian reproduction. Looking it over on the left side of the receiver, it has written:
"Narain Jagannath Sikligar Udaipur ###18
1\63 1972 Export made in India" (the backslash is correct, not rifling)
On the right and top it has ballistic information:
".729 not nitro 89 grs 1 1/4oz"

If I interpret it correctly, that means it fires a .70-cal ball with a 89-grain or 1.25 oz charge of powder (ffg)? Some similar replicas apparently fire .62-cal balls, while other sources say .577-cal. But, mine measures .720" across the muzzle with no visible taper. That opens up some versatility as a shotgun, haha. It's got fouling in the breech that is indicative of it having been fired, and the gun certainly looks and feels solid, so I feel confident it's a firing replica.

Could I have some advice, please? Is my interpretation of the information on the side of the receiver correct? Any problem with it shooting ball ammo? Does that powder charge sound right for ffg, or is there a better powder for it? Also, what size percussion caps should I get for this? The percussion cap receptical measures .220". Thank you all in advance!

Where did you find the round balls for this and what size did you use? Did you use wads as well? I just got one of these from Gun Broker.

 

[vintovka]

Closest i got to ball was like 6 .40 buckshot in a cap. Recoil was substantial as was close range impact. These are pretty close to legal SBS as you can get and impressive when hip fired. Would like to hear how recoil from a .70 ball feels. That said i was told a patched ball was the demise of old w. Richards DBS. top Center rib came loose

 

[rodinal220]

Does anyone know where I can buy some .70 or .710 round balls? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

I don't know who has pre-cast lead balls, none of the usual vendors carries anything that size. But molds are available if your caster.

https://www.thereloadersnetwork.com/product/round-ball-molds-inch-sizes/

 

[Eterry]

Does anyone know where I can buy some .70 or .710 round balls? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

TOTW has .690 in stock.

 

[wganz]

TOTW has .690 in stock.

Balls & shot for muzzle loading guns - Track of the Wolf

 

[Dan-O The Mad Scientist]

Ok, I have another question...I cannot find any caps that fit this piece...any links for a nipple conversion to some no 10 or 11 caps?

 

[Grenadier1758]

You need to know the thread pitch on your existing nipples. Once you know the thread pitch, then look in the Track of the Wolf Catalog (website) for a nipple with that thread pitch and a cone for #11 caps.

 

[Dan-O The Mad Scientist]

You need to know the thread pitch on your existing nipples. Once you know the thread pitch, then look in the Track of the Wolf Catalog (website) for a nipple with that thread pitch and a cone for #11 caps.

Awesome! Thank you!

 

[Rudyard]

View attachment 20369 Hello all!

This is my first post as a new member and I'm joining this forum in hopes to gather some answers/advice regarding a new smooth bore I picked up at a gun show yesterday, my first non-centerfire gun. It's got all the looks of the 1856 Enfield Cavalry Carbine to include the hinge-captured ramrod. Evidently an Indian reproduction. Looking it over on the left side of the receiver, it has written:
"Narain Jagannath Sikligar Udaipur ###18
1\63 1972 Export made in India" (the backslash is correct, not rifling)
On the right and top it has ballistic information:
".729 not nitro 89 grs 1 1/4oz"

If I interpret it correctly, that means it fires a .70-cal ball with a 89-grain or 1.25 oz charge of powder (ffg)? Some similar replicas apparently fire .62-cal balls, while other sources say .577-cal. But, mine measures .720" across the muzzle with no visible taper. That opens up some versatility as a shotgun, haha. It's got fouling in the breech that is indicative of it having been fired, and the gun certainly looks and feels solid, so I feel confident it's a firing replica.

Could I have some advice, please? Is my interpretation of the information on the side of the receiver correct? Any problem with it shooting ball ammo? Does that powder charge sound right for ffg, or is there a better powder for it? Also, what size percussion caps should I get for this? The percussion cap receptical measures .220". Thank you all in advance!

Welcome from NZ .Your carbine looks fine to me the subject of Indian guns has been often brought up some knocking others like me more familiar and saw such guns in India. Just today I wrote of these guns and how one such carbine was in the gun room of a very wealthy Duke I had dealings with if not about his re enacting .The particular pattern you have should be in Harding's' Intro duction' to E I Coy Small arms ' It may be ordnance Carbine & there where many' Native States' had such made for their Armories Ile look later . There where 'Irregular Horse' .'Or Sebundi corps and the three regional Presidencies .Viz Bombay, Madras & Calcutta. ( Sebundi corps are Tax gatherers escorts ).Not the easiest guns to make .I 'got up' a 1820/27 Bakers Series last of the Companies flint carbines . Pleased to hear you gave up breech loaders ,Frightful things big holes in the back Never catch on.
Regards Rudyard

 

[Rudyard]

Does anyone know where I can buy some .70 or .710 round balls? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

LEM Moulds will make you a mould any sort or size Rudyard