Neat underhammer

[tallPercshooter]

Found pic of a nice underhammer rifle on auction site. Looks like made by a machinist, lots of work involved. Pretty slick. MIght need to add a stop for the ramrod.

 

[Notchy Bob]

Looks like a very interesting rifle! Congratulations on your purchase!

I’d say you would definitely want a ramrod stop of some sort.

Another concern, and a potential safety issue, would be possible cap fragmentation. I don’t see a cup on that hammer, and the nipple is just “out there.” Please wear eye protection, and you may want a protective cuff of some sort on your left forearm. With no apparent cup or recess on the hammer face, it may be a challenge to devise an effective rifle-mounted flash cup for that nipple. Hopefully, the Muzzleloading Forum Braintrust can come up with viable suggestions.

I don’t mean to be a party pooper… it’s a nice rifle, but safety comes first.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

 

[BS]

If it doesn't have a half ****, the ram rod would work as one.

 

[OLUT]

If it doesn't have a half ****, the ram rod would work as one.

Please take Notchy Bob's advice if you shoot this gun. Here's an 1850's original under hammer showing the recess in the hammer to retain cap fragments and also the added cup. This cup can be easily installed by placing it under the nipple while screwing it in. Although percussionView attachment DSC01131.JPG caps do not fly apart as much as the original metal ones once did, your support wrist will someday appreciate the addition of a cap guard.

 

[hanshi]

My very old H&A Heritage Model Under Hammer had a somewhat simpler mechanism, the fore stock was set back until it touched the frame. A brass cup was surrounding the nipple and the two modifications greatly reduced - but never completely eliminated - the downward blast from the nipple.