.44 flintlock

[Chris Hayes]

I just bought a Richland Arms Co. flintlock pistol in .44. I do believe this was a kit gun available in either flint or perc. It is in very good condition, but the frizzen shows where it has been fired, but it was loved. Does anyone know anything about these? I can't post pics on here, everytime I try I have blown up my computer, so if anyone wants to see it I will send pics to an email addy. Thanks!

 

[Chris Hayes]

And does anyone know what I can use for ball?

 

[Wes/Tex]

Richland Arms was an importer back in the 70's or 80's that imported both muzzleloading handguns and long guns as well as a line of fine Italian made modern shotguns. Most of the flint and percussion pistols used balls in the .433" to .440" diameter depending on patch thickness. Loads recommended usually run in the 20 to 40 grains of FFFg, the top load should give about 1100 fps.

 

[Zonie]

As with all flintlocks, you will need to use real black powder in your pistol.

The substitute black powders (like Pyrodex and 777) ignite very poorly in the pan and worse in the barrel unless a starter charge of real black powder is poured down the barrel before the substitute powder charge is loaded.
These "starter" charges of real black powder are usually about 5 grains worth.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

One of the manufacturers sells .433 swaged balls