AFGHANY Smoothebore, need some nipple help!

[Griz44Mag]

Thanks for the follow up. I like the Heli-coil fix. To bad the right nipple could not get determined. I myself would want to shoot that gun and hope you get to.

All the parts are on the way. A few days from now it will go back on the bench and in a week or so, I will take it out and shoot it. I know the barrel and lock are in working and safe condition. A light charge with a patched but undersized ball should be a good function test. Maybe even load up a round with shot in it to see how it patterns.

 

[Griz44Mag]

If it is metric it's possible it might by 8-1mm.

Closest thread match was 8x1.25. Pretty course.
I passed an 8 X 1.25 plug tap down the hole and although meeting some resistance, it made it to the bottom of the hole without destroying any threads, just cleaned them up. There were 2 places that the tap showed some resistance, but after extracting the tap, I got a fairly decent set of threads to emerge. I installed the new 8 x 1.25 threaded #11 cap nipple. I feel lucky and think I got off easy. The spring clamp has arrived, so I will disassemble the lock today and give it a good cleaning. It is almost completely impacted with old oil and grease. Hopefully it will all come together today and I can get it to the range this afternoon.

 

[bang]

Sounds lkie you are near ready to shoot.

 

[rickystl]

Hi Griz. Congratulations !! Cool gun. Especially knowing it's recent history. The butt stock section copies one of the common Moroccan styles. After more than a few years studying guns from this Region, I've come to the conclusion that they would avoid making threads for anything if there was an alternative. I've seen lock plate screws where the threads looked like they were done in the 1600's versus the 1800's. LOL European quality taps and dies must have been very rare, and probably expensive. If you get a chance maybe you can post a pic of the inside of the lock ?
Meantime, just a couple questions: 1. Is there a provision for a ramrod in the stock ? 2. Was there a threaded breech plug in the barrel ? Thanks. Again, neat gun and history.

Rick

 

[Griz44Mag]

Hi Griz. Congratulations !! Cool gun. Especially knowing it's recent history. The butt stock section copies one of the common Moroccan styles. After more than a few years studying guns from this Region, I've come to the conclusion that they would avoid making threads for anything if there was an alternative. I've seen lock plate screws where the threads looked like they were done in the 1600's versus the 1800's. LOL European quality taps and dies must have been very rare, and probably expensive. If you get a chance maybe you can post a pic of the inside of the lock ?
Meantime, just a couple questions: 1. Is there a provision for a ramrod in the stock ? 2. Was there a threaded breech plug in the barrel ? Thanks. Again, neat gun and history.

Rick

Yes, the gun actually came with a ramrod, a stiff tempered wire flattened on the end and rolled around the rod.


The lock is very crude, but smacks the nipple like Thor's hammer!

The barrel has a seam in it where it was welded into a tube. The breech plug is welded to the end of the barrel.

 

[Griz44Mag]

SHOOTING THE AFGHANY!
Well, I did it. Took the abomination to the range and shot it.
Since I was mostly afraid of what what possible, I loaded the first round VERY lightly.
20 gr 3f, a .575 ball double patched (.010 with MAP) so it would fit the .63 bore.
With the gun balanced on a bag and holding it with one hand while shielding my face with the other, I dropped the hammer.
BANG, kind of a subdued bang, and the ball came flying out of the barrel and rolled to a stop about 10' in front of me.
KOOL! It did NOT blow up!
I worked the next few loads up 5 gr at a time, each shot getting closer to the berm at 25 yards.
Recoil was mild, the #11 cap works well, but the nipple is getting MAULED by the hammer of Thor.
At about 50-55 grains it was planting the balls nice and deep in the damp berm.
By the time I got to that point, a few observers had gathered and the questions started flowing.
All told, a great late evening to shoot and visit with fellow gunners, and a chance to show a few interested folks something about black powder and it's rich history!

(Yes, the bands that hold the barrel on are REAL silver!)

 

[Britsmoothy]

Lol, excellent, if only it could talk, probably would not understand it but I bet it has some stories!

 

[nhmoose]

Great follow up post! Thanks for posting it

 

[rickystl]

Hi Griz

LOL !! Yes, excellent !! Thanks for the pic of the lock internals. The mainsprings are usually too strong. Probably from a lack of knowledge/ability to temper correctly. I've had locks like this worked over by locksmiths which function much better now. But sometimes it's not worth the cost.
Anyway, as mentioned, great follow up. Thanks for posting this "tribal" experience. Much fun.

Rick

 

[toot]

Thanks for the follow up. I like the Heli-coil fix. To bad the right nipple could not get determined. I myself would want to shoot that gun and hope you get to.

I have an original 20 gauge DBL. that had the right nipple blow out after so many years of firing more than the left one. so I inserted a HEILCOIL in it and it is back on line with no HICCUP'S! that was 16 yrs. ago. so they work. I first used them over 30+ yrs ago at the US SUBMARINE BASE ay ELECTRIC BOAT in GROTON, CT.