.44 Kentuckian

[biologist]

I recently purchased a used kentucky style pistol ($125 - couldn't resist at that price). The barrel is just under 10 inches and octagon in shape. I can't find the manufacturer's name on the gun. The top of the barrel is stamped "Kentuckian .44 cal." One side is stamped "Made in Italy," and the other side "Black Powder Only" and some proof marks and a serial number.
http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm255/bessy_the_cat/?action=view&current=Kentucky002.jpg
http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm255/bessy_the_cat/?action=view&current=Kentucky003.jpg

I was wondering if anyone on the forum knows the manufacturer and what size nipple it takes. I would like to replace the nipple as it misfires about one in three tries.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I think Dixie Gun Works sold either that model or one close to it back in the 1970's. I would pull the nipple and measure it for the replacement nipple you mentioned. I don't think it would be too difficult to match up. That is about the best I can do for you. Italy, Spain or Belgium might be the place of manufacture.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

It's late and I must really be tired... you said the barrel is stamped made in Italy... I would still look to Dixie Gun Works. I had my eye on one of those a long time ago. I remember that side plate being different from the other pistols available at the time.

 

[Zonie]

Your "Kentuckian" pistol is shown in BLACK POWDER GUIDE (A Shooter's Bible Publication) 1969 by Major George Nonte on page 22.
Well, they show a flintlock version but it is your gun.

The description is as follows:
"KENTUCKIAN: Traditional style Kentuckian percussion pistol in .44 caliber. Octagonal 9 1/2' barrel; 15 1/4" long; 38 oz., weight; walnut full stock with brass furniture; color hardened lock; blued barrel. Takes # 11 caps."

There was a KENTUCKIAN RIFLE made by whoever made your gun and as a matter of fact, it was my first Flintlock rifle.
Both the rifle and the pistol were very well made however, you if you intend to fire it you need to know it really is a .44 caliber gun so you will need to use .430 diameter lead balls patched with .010-.012 thick patches.
A good powder charge for your pistol would be about 30-35 grains of 3Fg black powder or Pyrodex "P" synthetic powder.
(You can use lighter powder loads down to about 15 grains if you don't like recoil). :grin:

Have FUN!!

 

[biologist]

Thank you for the info! The pistol is an older repro than I originally thought. I have fired the pistol about a dozen times and was impressed with the accuracy. I used 25 grains of FFFG and .433 Hornady balls. Originally, I tried patches .015 thick, but they were too thick to load. So I sacrificed an old cotton shirt of a thinner diameter for patches. Worked great, and yes, shooting the Kentuckian is alot of fun!

 

[rafterob]

I bought a Kentuckian barrel and built a flintlock around it. Stamped Euroarms, made in Italy. I filed off the Kentuckian part to eliminate the Hokie factor. very accurate with quite shallow rifling.