Pedersoli Bess Carbine?

[Rebel]

Ok, i am getting a Pedersoli Bess carbine and want to give it a Tradegun look. The guy i am getting it from has the Serpent sideplate, and i want to brown the barrel. Question, would it be possible to drill out the ramrod channel for a 3/8" wooden ramrod? I know, why put a wood rod in it? Because i like the looks of a wood rod, it will also be lighter, and won't jab in to my hand like the meatal rod. So, can it be done? Is there enough room under the lock for a wooden rod to fit. Any suggestions on who could do this? any info would be appreciated. Not looking for critics on the PC aspect of a Bess Tradegun or whatever, just if what i want to do can be done. thanks.

 

[thomas]

Rebel,

Yes. I can think of a couple of different ways. When you get your short Bess, just look at the rod pipes to see if they can be drilled out enough for a wood rod. If not, you can get thimbles for the first model (with wooden rod) from TOW. It's been a long time since I've seen a short Pedersoli Bess and I just don't remember if there was enough brass in the thimbles. You may have to taper the ramrod, but that is not that hard if you have a rasp and different grades of sandpaper. Just remember, keep the rod moving around when you are tapering it and it will come out okay. BTW congratulation on your new bess!

Thomas

 

[big bore 75]

Rebel, I'm looking over mine right now to see if your 3/8 rod would work I have to say that as right now with mine its imposible to drill out the pipes they are 3/8 of an inch now but Thomas's suggestion would work but your most likely going to have to drill the ram rode channel but be carefull for run out, as for browning the barrel I browned mine then took it off and a few years later rebrowned it again as well as the lock, my wife bought it for me for my wedding gift bless her heart 10 years ago only had to replase the main spring in it, havent taken anything with it but have whipped a bunch of paper targets with it hehehe. have fun with your new toy. bb75

 

[Rebel]

Thomas and Big Bore, thanks for the info. I was planning on replacing the ramrod pipes, just wondered about the ramrod channel in the stock. Wondered if there was enough room for a 3/8" hole. I figured i would install the pipes and use a bit on a long 3/8" rod run through them to keep the bit lined up so the hole would be straight. That or find someone that is a builder that could do it for me. The metal rod most likely would work fine, but i just like the looks of a wood rod and the little extra weight i would save with one. Thanks again.

 

[thomas]

Rebel I agree, a wood ramrod looks good on a bess!

Thomas

 

[big bore 75]

after playing with mine this afternnon at the range with the family shooting think your going to have to alsoopen up the channel too, have fun hope your new toy come and you can burn charcaol with us :thumbsup:

 

[Rebel]

Thanks, i have been burning charcoal for a lot of years now. I started shooting muzzleloaders over 30 years ago, but this will be my first Bess.

 

[Rat]

Hey...quit giving me ideas!

The ram-rod, as is, does seem to stay well towards the outside of the stock, and the stock in front of the lock seems to be good and deep. So it should be a go.

Since there is a channel already there, run-out "shouldn't" be a problem.

Good luck and welcome to the Brown Bess society!

Rat

 

[Rebel]

Thanks Rat, but i'm gonna clean it with WATER. ::

 

[Rat]

Do'H!!!!!!!

Poor Bess. Poor pooooor Bess.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Rat

 

[Rebel]

Hey, a Lady needs a good HOT bath every once in a while. Keeps her relaxed and ready to go. ::

 

[big bore 75]

Hey whats wrng with boiling hot water any way? have never had a problem with it for 35 yearsand will continue to use it its free and cheap, and PC correct. bb75

 

[Rat]

Oh oh BB, we are trying to keep the solvent vs. rubber ducky treatment debate down to a dull roar, with some occaisional sniping, ambushes and bush-whacking!!

:nono:

Besides, I am vastly outnumbered.

No, if water works for you guys, that's great. I just don't want it inside my barrel, and I just can't get "comfortable" with water getting into the breechplug threads on my rifles or pistols...!! Last time I checked, water + steel = RUST. !!!

So there! QUACK!!

:imo: :results: :sorry: :relax: eace: :winking:

Rat

 

[Rebel]

Not a thing wrong with water, i use it all the time, it is Rat the one with the phobia that don't like water and ducks.I don't use boiling water though, as it seems to cause flash rusting if it is that hot. I use warm or cold depends on what i have and it works just fine. :m2c:

 

[schrivener]

Water worked for a LONG time for cleaning for those who came before us. I used nothing but water and tow on my Bess carbine, and it was clean and shiny when I traded for a fusil. The outside looked like heck, since it was a "militia gun", but the inside was clean.

I'll be getting another one, I think, for 1812, since that pattern is a later style. I liked it a lot, lot more once I put swivels and a sling on it. MUCH easier on marches and drill weekends.

 

[Story]

Does anyone know of an octagon-to-round smoothbore barrel that'll 'drop in' to the Pedersoli Bess Carbine/Trade Gun barrel channel?

 

[Rebel]

I think you would have to have one made and then modify the stock to accept it.

 

[Keith]

No, the Bess is a round barrel. Just dropping in an octagon to round barrel isn't possible. You either have to fit the octagon barreled section to the stock or have a round bottomed octagon to round barrel, :huh:. I don't think anyone is making one of those commercially.