G.Goulcher percussion smoothbore

[kedron1]

I just bought this shootgun-smoothbore-.660 bore
it is 1/2 stock and has silver wire inlay at the breach and muzzle all the lock parts are #7
however it has no 1/2 cock! is this normal?
I'm a old retired gunsmith new to blackpowder,just finished my 2nd flinter.Should
I add one?I have room and won't need a fly.
thanks for any help.Dog face

 

[Rebel]

You don't need a fly with a Single trigger.Only if you have a set trigger.

 

[wtilenw]

You don't need a fly with a Single trigger.Only if you have a set trigger.

I think he wants to know if he should cut in a half cock notch. :v
Idaho PRB

 

[Rebel]

Oops, guess i read it wrong. Sorry. :surrender:

 

[musketman]

You don't need a fly with a Single trigger.Only if you have a set trigger.

I think he wants to know if he should cut in a half cock notch. :v
Idaho PRB

Yes, safety first...

Seems odd that there isn't one, I have seen where the half cock notch's lip broke off on the tumbler and it made it appear that there wasn't one.

 

kedron,
There were many older rifles, and shotguns, that did not have a safety notch in the tumbler. As a gunsmith you should be able to determine if there was one that has broken off or not one in the first place. Unless you are going to use the shotgun and are not comfortable without a safety notch do not add what was never there. Carrying a loaded shotgun with the hammers down seems to me to be safer than relying on a safety noth in an otherwise old tumbler that could snap off.
Mark :nono:

 

[Many Klatch]

Probably the right thing to do is to make a new tumbler with a half cock and keep the old one for it's historical value. I wouldn't feel comfortable not being able to go off half-cocked :rotf:

Many Klatch

 

[Mike Brooks]

I'd cut in a 1/2 cock notch. Most of these old 1/2 stock smooth bores have no great historical importance and cutting a 1/2 cock notch will not hurt it's monetary value or it's historical value either. Unless of course it is signed on the top barrel flat......

 

[kedron1]

thank you all. Sorry I didn't get back sooner my cable has been down for 2days.I'm going to build up and cut a 1/2cock notch.I intend to have a shooter.kedron