Caplock pistol

[srspicer]

Hello All,

This pistol was included in a large donation of clothing & accouterments to my regiment, 5th PA Lights & Rifles. (Rev. War)

I know nothing about it. I have included a link to photobucket so you can look it over. Any assistance in identifying this pistol will be greatly appreciated. :thumbsup:
It does look like it was a kit. The I.D. measures .446 across the flats of the rifling. Thanks in advance!

Scott http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh227/goodbyelaurelei/caplock pistol/

 

[zimmerstutzen]

CVA sold them , but they didn't have sights like that. I have an old CVA Catelogue at the office and can give you more detailed info tommorrow

 

[Zonie]

Your pistol is shown in the 1987 Dixie Gunworks catalog where they called it a CVA PERCUSSION TOWER PISTOL.

They say:

"This is far from being an authentic Tower reproduction, but this percussion pistol does display the lines of the big flintlock pistols that were used during the late 1700's. CVA's decision to offer this gun in percussion likely stems for the fact that percussion guns are easier for the beginning black powder shooter to learn to load and master when shooting. Although the gun is called a "Tower", it more resembles the big percussion military styled pistols that were produced in Spain during the mid 1800's. The 9 inch round barrel is .45 caliber and we recommend using a .440 round ball. Overall length of this pistol is 15 1/2". Weight is 2 1/4 lbs. To maintain the styling of the Tower pistols, this pistol comes without sights of any sort. Shipping weight 4 pounds.
Price-Finished.....$89.95."

Some previous owner installed the sights and it looks like they either got tired of messing with it or they gave up.
The front sight is a basic sight blank that was meant to be contoured.
If you choose to fix this you will need a flat file and some tape to protect the barrel from the file.
The sight on a muzzleloading pistol/rifle starts off low towards the muzzle and gently climbs up to the top where it is rounded off tangent to the vertical area on the breech side of the sight.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Per the 1979 CVA Catalogue, the tower pistol sugg retail was $69.95 finished, perc kit $44.95 and flint kit $51.95 (although I have never seene a flint model) steel ram rod, stainless steel nipple Length overall 15 1/4 " weight 36 oz. No sights are shown in the picture.

 

[srspicer]

Wow! I surrender! :surrender:

It seams as though you guys nailed it. That's why I'm here, to participate and to learn. Thanks much guys. Now I know what I'm dealing with.
It looks like it was a kit. I will finish centering and shaping the sight. Can either of you provide images of a typical sight as a guide for me or send me to the right image?

The lock works great. It holds strong at half-cock and the hammer & nipple align nicely. There is minor engraving on the lock-plate.
(shown in the images)
So, Zonie, the mid 1800's is the correct time period for this pistol or is it too much of a hybrid with the sight?
:hatsoff:

Regards,

Scott

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Tripp, send a PM with your address and I'll send photo copies of the catalogue entry.

There were no sights on the CVA tower pistol, as sold. I also just noticed another difference. In the 1979 cat, the Tower pistol had the early CVA perc lock with a bolster breech. In the 1982 cat the tower pistol had the better perc lock using a drum and nipple breech. So yours is an earlier one.

 

[srspicer]

Thank you very much! PM sent.

Scott :hatsoff:

 

[zimmerstutzen]

 

[zimmerstutzen]

 

[srspicer]

Thank you zimm!.

So, it looks like this pistol represents a post rev-war mod of a flintlock.

Thank you again! :hatsoff:

Scott

 

[Many Klatch]

Percussion caps didn't come into use until the 1830's. Big honking horse pistols like this disappeared after revolvers showed up in the late 1830's and American Civil War. So that gun is "authentic" from about 1830 to 1840.

Basically it was a collection of parts put together to cater to the entry level blackpowder shooter that wanted something that went bang. All things considered the kits gave pretty good service considering their low cost.

Many Klatch

 

[buffcreekforge]

I agree heartily with all the previous explanations. With a Jukar marking, it was a Spanish made pistol. Keep your loads light - Jukar barrels are not known for great strength. From a distance, it would look ok hanging on someone's belt, though.

Your humble servant,

Black Dave

 

[srspicer]

Thank you, everyone, very much! :thumbsup:

I can't thank you enough. Someone in my unit is asking about it and I was thinking of running a few rounds through it for fun. Does anyone know the suggested grain load for this gun? I don't recall seeing it posted, and I cannot make out the adds that were so kindly posted as well.

Copies of the user manual? ( I know, thats asking a lot )

YMHOS

Scott

 

[rafterob]

20 grains fffg should be a good load, you could probably get by with 15.

 

[srspicer]

Thank you! :hatsoff: