blunderbuss arnes? need a expert

[recycle33952]

hello I found a reproduction blunderbuss type weapon with a 1 1/4" barrel the only markings is arnes it has a very very thick heavy brass barrel.
does anyone know anything about this weapon? its in a case with a powder measurer and shot bag. currious can brass barrel blunderbuss guns be shot safely? I see some kits also come with brass barrels. point is I love this piece and only want to use something that is not dangerous. help im confused lol..

 

[sequoia]

I have a CVA blunderbus that I bought years ago just because it looked so cute. It has a brass barrel and uses a .660 bal w/o a patch. I had only shot it a few times before last month. My club had a trek weekend and one of the events was a "Snake Shoot", that is, instead of a stake we shot at cutout of snake about 6 inches wide in the middle and mounted horizontally between two stakes. It also had four golfballs hanging off the bottom that had to be shot off before you could start on the body. Anyway back to the gun, I shot it with 30gr. of FF and the .660 balls and had a blast! Pour the powder down(out of a mesaure, of course) toss down the ball, seat with the ramrod,
prime and fire. With the bell muzzle it wasn't too accurate but when it hit the wood flew! A brass barrel is safe to fire as long as you keep the charge within reason. I've never tried shot in it but I don't see why not. By the way I tried
20gr. of FF but it only went "poomp" instead of "Boom" so I upped the charge.

 

[benvenuto]

wether its brass or (more likely) bronze, it should be safe if its made properly and not damaged or abused by over loading. If there is any sign of cracking or bulging get it checked by an expert.
whay caliber is it?
Have you looked for markings on the underside of the barrel?

 

[recycle33952]

ITS A .90" BORE MEASURED 2" BELOW THE MUZZLE GUESS THATS ABOUT LIKE A 8 GAUGE? IT IS IN A FANCY LEATHET SUITCASE VELVET LINED WITH A SHOT BAG MADE OF LEATHER AND A SPOT FOR THE RAM ROD AND POWDER FLASK. iT IS NOT THAT OLD AND DEFINATELY BRASS NOT BRONZE. made in spain BARREL IS LIKE 3/8" THICKNESS..Won it at auction online for $500.00 still waiting to get it should be soon. I was thinking 60 grains ff and a ounce of shot shouldnt raise too much pressure in a 90 cal bore should be a rather light load?

 

[benvenuto]

I think thats closer to a 6 bore.
I'm sure one of the others will chime in here about a safe load, but with a big bore like that I'm sure 90 grains FFG and an equal volume of shot would be fairly safe.
Like I said, if you have any doubts about the condition of the barrel when it arrives get it checked out properly.

 

[recycle33952]

thats what I was thinking 1 grain per bore size I was always taught was a light load. 50cal/50 grains etc. but still brass makes me nervous

 

[HarborMaster]

Have you got to shoot this Blunderbuss yet? Photos!.,Photos !!

If it makes you feel any better I have a Pedrosoli Brass Queen Anne .,it shoots fine.,I use 45 grains.,its a bit light but fun to shoot and seems to be holding up well.

 

[Musketeer]

The best thing to do is post some pics here on the Forum, including close-ups of any markings, so maybe somebody can identify it. I wouldn't feel totally comfy shooting it until I knew exactly what it was. As far as brass barrels go, they are indeed safe to shoot with reasonable loads. Last year I contacted Loyalist Arms about one of their brass barrel blunderbusses in 10 ga. (.77 cal.), and they gave me a figure as to their recommended charge of powder. I don't remember the exact granulation or number of grains, but I do remember it didn't strike me as a "wimpy" load. I have also been advised (and it sounds palusible) to only use an all-wood or wood with brass tip ramrod in a brass barrel. NO STEEL! Since steel is harder than brass, a steel or steel tipped rod with even a small bur in it could score the brass bore, potentially leading to a weakening of the barrel. Like I said, I'm not sure how valid this is, but it sounds just plausible enough to make me nervous. :shocked2:

BTW: Considering the size of the bore, you might want to try some Fg... :hmm: :thumbsup:

P.S. Despite my screen name, I'm NOT a blunderbuss expert... :haha:

 

[WRussell]

Another tidbit to make you feel better - naval blunderbusses were often brass or bronze, and you can be sure they didn't use wimpy loads.

There's no telling about the alloy, but modern materials are in general better than they had back then.

To repeat - test it. Put a 90 grain load in it with a handful of buckshot and set it off with a string from behind a barrier or at a safe distance. Be sure to pad the stock so you don't break it or ding it up. An old tire is good. If it holds that load, up it to 140 or so and try again. If it's still ok, use 90 from then on and feel safe with it.

As it's a reproduction, I'd worry more about the security of the breechplug than the strength of the barrel material. A breechplug is aimed at your face.