Harper's Ferry pistol powder charge

[Necronius]

I got a Pedersoli Harpers ferry pistol recently, and was wondering if someone could give me the recomended powder charge for the pistol. The documentation that came with the pistol doesnt seem to list it. Any information is appreciated. :thumbsup:

 

[jgray]

The DGW catalog recommends 35 grains 2F with a .570 RB and a .015" thick patch for 1805 Harpers Ferry pistol. I hope that helps.

 

[Necronius]

yes it does help. thank you very much

 

[Rat]

You can probably add 20 grains safely to any charge DGW recommends.

I am very jealous, I've ALWAYS wanted one of them pistols.

:master:

Hey be sure to post on how she shoots...those are just too coool. Talk about a HOSS pistol!

Rat

 

[Necronius]

I'll be sure to let you know how she shoots. im going to try taking it out tomorrow. I have wanted to get one for a while, and got it for christmas this year. My brothers and I are all collectors of large handguns, and I've been starting on the black powder end of things. Last year I bought myself a walker colt (what a beast). The large pistol section of our collection is now (in no particular order) the Harpers ferry, Walker colt, .500 S&W, .450 marlin encore, .445 Super Mag. contender, and a Desert Eagle .50AE. This will be my first experience shooting a flintlock pistol, so I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[jgray]

You're welcome, and I agree with Rat, in that DGW recommendations seem to be a good starting point for working up a load. The same catalog recommends 25 grains of 3F for your Walker Colt.

 

[Terry Zboril]

Hope you can get it to spark.

My experiences with the Italian Harpers Ferry flint pistols have been less than satisfactory. Poor lock geometry especially, and poor sparkers generally, with thinly case hardened frizzens that will not spark at all after the first 50 shots, or so.

The couple I have worked on have the flint in about the "half cock" position , in the "fired" mode.(not pointing in the pan, in other words.)

They also have an extremely heavy trigger pull (8# plus).
:results: , though.

All problems can be fixed though. Hope you got a "good" one.
Regards,
Terry

 

[2172]

Got my pistol in '87...works and sparks fine...I admit I mostly used it as a desk ornament (it was a Northeastern Liberal company...they couldn't figure out how to object something as historic or pretty)...had an ass't mgr who got in the habit of clicking it off as he talked to me...had a lot of sparks...I cured him by putting in some priming one morning before he came in...Hank

 

[SquirrelsaurusR]

I cured him by putting in some priming one morning before he came in

:crackup:

 

[oldarmy]

I know this is off the topic, but in the liberial northeatern state of Massacuttes
They have 2 oringal minuet man muskets over the Massacuttes state seal in the capital buliding in Boston. They are 30 feet at least of the ground.
Now when you see them you will notice they put big red trigger locks on them.
They wanted all revolutary war reinactors to apply for a permit before they could enter the state with those "asault flintlocks"
I am sure you would be in serious troble if you tried that taday.
Thank goodness I don't live there.

 

[Necronius]

I guess DGW does list their loads low if they only call for 25gr in the Walker. Most places I've looked at listed the walker max load at 60gr.

As for the lock geometry on my pedersoli, It seems to be fine. Lots of spark, and the fired position does point into the pan. I will have to see how this works out after a bit of shooting.

 

[virginian1]

In regards to Harpers Ferry pistol, I do have 2 pistols. I use 30 grains 3F, 570 ball, .010 patch. My pistols are good to about 20 yards, considering that they are Pedersolis. Hope this helps you out. Any other questions on flint pistols contact me.

Ern