Numrich Double barrel rifle find.

[tree]

I will be picking up a Numrich made double rifle--it's the one
with a swivel breech. Looks about .45 and comes with some
.440 round balls. Anyone out there with experience with these?

I'm wondering how the swivel breech mechanism holds up under
regular use. From memory of my distant youth I seem to recall
that the Numrich/Hopkins and Allen barrels were not true .45
but somewhat smaller. Any info on this?

 

[F.G. Ford]

Goodmorning Mr. Tree,
I have had two Numrich swivel rifles.
One concern that I would like to pass on is, barrel wall thickness.
The drum on each barrel, is not held in place by too many threads, so would suggest keeping loads moderate to light.
My rifle shot best with .433 balls.
The axle system, holding barrels to action, loosened up rather quickly, with little room to tighten it up.
The gun it self, shot rather well, but the engineering needed work.
All the best
Old Ford

 

Tree,
I have had a couple of these "beasts" over the years and the only thing I can say for sure is that it should be left to die a natural death. Typically they aren't worth messing with, from engineering to reliability to accuracy.
Mark

 

[F.G. Ford]

One more comment about the swivel rifle.
THE LOCK REALLY SUCKS!
Old Ford

 

[jdstrang]

But, other than that, Mrs. Lincoln... :shake:

 

[The Deacon]

Would you happend to know the twist rate on a 45 cal. Numrich barrel. I have an old numrich underhammer that also shots .433 the best. But I have no idea of the twist rate.

 

[spud]

I've had two of these swivels over the last twenty years would pass on a third even if it was free--

 

[tree]

Looks like my concerns are well founded! Oh Well it will look
good over the fire place. Thanks for the input--it was just what
I was looking for. If I shoot it I'll hold the charges down.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Actually I like mine! It is very accurate shooting a .435 ball& ten tousands patch. It will put three balls in one hole at fourty yrds with both barrels. I sold it about thirty years ago when I was having hard times, and got it back last year. I admitt I haven't put more than two hundred rounds through it. And I don't think Johnny ever did fire it when he had it.So I cann't speak about how it holds up with use. Yes the lock did take some tunning, but then most of the guns I have did.

 

[fho]

Numrich 45 caliber barrels had a twist of one turn in 56 in.

Olie

 

[bingo1952]

Ditto. I have an underhammer and that is the twist rate on mine. I put mine together but used a Numrich barrel on it.