Joseph Golcher rifle

[Andrewmtnman]

The extra dovetail may of been for a sprite level. Take the nipple to a machine shop or gun smith and have them measure it and the thread pitch. The length is also important to get the correct nipple. Check the pitch of the rifling to see if it was made to shoot ball or bullet.

I can use a thread gauge to check thread size and go from there. Not sure there is anyone locally that I would trust to touch this truthfully. I’ll do some digging. Thank you!

 

[Andrewmtnman]

My Golcher percussion rifle takes a 12 X 28 nipple. These are a common size for Old Army Handguns and can be found at TOW.

That’s good info. Ty

 

[Andrewmtnman]

Been a long time since reading about Golcher. He was a prolific lock supplier and he did make rifles, I think. The turned muzzle is commonly found on picket rifles. I'm sure RB rifles also had the feature. Neat old rifle! If the twist is fast like 30-40 inches it is made to shoot a patched picket bullet/picket ball/sugarloaf... if a picket twist, could be gain twist.

Best I can measure the twist is 1:44

 

[GREENSWLDE]

Looks like it was intended to have a faulse muzzel. O.D.

 

[GREENSWLDE]

That nipple thread looks a might on the dangous side to me. May be cut a new thread in the barrel and have new nipples. What is the o/d of that one. Find a tapping size that will take out all the old thread.. OLD DOG..

 

[nhmoose]

That muzzle device is not a false muzzle, it is a straight in-line starter. Many were used in the era of the gun. see "ned Roberts the muzzleloading caplock rifle" May originally taken a sugar loaf style bullet.

 

[GREENSWLDE]

Faulse muzzle --- In-line starter same Idea same purpose Stops Muzzle wear from loading rods and cleaning rods, also keeps long bullets in line for loading. Sure Ned used them for the same reason.. O.D.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

My Golcher percussion rifle takes a 12 X 28 nipple. These are a common size for Old Army Handguns and can be found at TOW.

Looks like TPI are 28. I’ll order one up and maybe buy a tap as well. I can check the old nipple threads to the tap before I try cleaning out the threads in the barrel

 

[The Crisco Kid]

There are some knowledgable folks on the ASSRA forum regarding single shot target rifles, muzzleloader or breech loading. I used to be on there but haven't been for awhile. You might post the photos there for some ideas.

 

[Mark Herman]

Sam,
What is pictured is a short starter not a false muzzle. Most, not all, original ML's were cut this way but few actually had the starter. False muzzles were normally cut from the muzzle of the barrel and fitted back on with 3 or 4 pins that went into the original muzzle. Loading through a false muzzle swaged the ball into the bore without damaging the muzzle. Short starters did just that but helped align and center the ball.

 

[GREENSWLDE]

I do not wish to becomb envolved in pedantic discusion about barrel extensions or faulse muzzle, but they where normally not cut from already rifled tubes. The reduction at the front of a tube or a peg in the tube usually had an extra attachment that fitted over the muzzle of the tube That was slightly smaller bore than the rifle bore to allow a Patched or un-patched bullet into the tube without deforming it.. These extensions were usually attatched to the shooter so that they were removed before firing. If you have ever looked for a faulse muzzle on a 600yd range you haven't lived particularly if the local carniverace wild life are watching you..it was found and is still with the Replica Gibbs Metford to day.Faulse Muzzle and Short starter serve the Same purpose..To allow the projectile to enter the bore truley.. OLD DOG..

 

[GREENSWLDE]

Looks like TPI are 28. I’ll order one up and maybe buy a tap as well. I can check the old nipple threads to the tap before I try cleaning out the threads in the barrel

There are several replacement tap sizes for 1/4" nipples that are not commenally known to the US market.. 9/32" X 26 BSF(Brit Standard Fine) 9/32" X 32 ME(model engineers) & 9/32" X 40 ME..
All have minor dia. that's about or smaller than nominal 1/4"threads. 9/32"(0.281") is a good replacement for 6(.236") or 6.5(.264") European metric threads.
That nipple shown seems to have the Old Knuckle thread often used in UK for small dia. screws before 1820. I still have some family relics from company founded in1756.. OLD (Engineering) DOG..

 

[Cdog]

A proper false muzzle was cut from an unrifled barrel, pinned, reinstalled on the barrel and then the barrel was rifled so it was a high tolerance fit

 

[Andrewmtnman]

So, the 12-28 tap goes into the nipple hole without turning it. What would the next size nipple be with 28tpi? 1/4 28? The old threads are close to .250 dia

 

[Andrewmtnman]

Ok, I know it’s been a while, sorry for the delay. I shot this antique today. One shot only. 35 grains fff sheutzen .010 with moose milk behind .360 rb. I stopped for a a couple reasons but primarily after I found the patch all torn up. If you look closely, the center is almost tore out completely. What are the suggestions? It was 2” high and wind age was dead on, 30 yard shot btw

 

[Grimord]

I would suggest that you try either a dry patch over the powder charge and then the lubed patch and ball, or a felt wad over the powder. I have an 1845 35 caliber gun that has the area of the powder charge at the breech corroded due to a load being left in the gun for over 75 years. I found that a 1/8" felt wad over the powder charge got my patched ball above the corroded area and fired patches came out only slightly blackened and accuracy improved greatly.

 

[Andrewmtnman]

I would suggest that you try either a dry patch over the powder charge and then the lubed patch and ball, or a felt wad over the powder. I have an 1845 35 caliber gun that has the area of the powder charge at the breech corroded due to a load being left in the gun for over 75 years. I found that a 1/8" felt wad over the powder charge got my patched ball above the corroded area and fired patches came out only slightly blackened and accuracy improved greatly.

Ok. I’ll give that a try on Sunday and report back. Ty

 

[Andrewmtnman]

@WalnutRed