Pedersoli Kentucky Pistol - was it ever a smoothbore?

[RonRC]

I picked up a used Pedersoli Kentucky pistol for a very reasonable price. It is a smoothbore. In fact, I bought it because I had no smoothbores and wanted to try one.
All the descriptions of Pedersoli Kentucky pistols I can find on the net say that it is rifled. I can find no mention of a smoothbore version.
The barrel seems to have all the proper Pedersoli markings.
Was this pistol ever made in smoothbore? Perhaps the barrel is an aftermarket replacement.

Ron

 

[coloradoclyde]

Your model was made for certain European markets where rifled barrels are prohibited.

Perhaps Brittsmoothy can elaborate as he has a similar Kentucky rifle that is a smoothbore.

 

[RonRC]

Is it possible that it started out as a standard, rifled Pedersoli and was bored out to be smooth? Does the the wall of the barrel look thick enough to be safe to shoot?
Ron

 

[RonRC]

I measured the barrel:

The bore is exactly 0.5".

Barrel wall thickness is 0.125", or 1/8" or 3.2 mm.

Depth of the front sight wedge is about 0.055 to 0.06" or 1.6 mm.
Ron

 

[coloradoclyde]

Anything is possible but I seem to remember smoothbores being sold in the 60's and early 70's ish....

 

[RonRC]

Thank you for that information!
Ron

 

[coloradoclyde]

considering it's a 50 cal...it just might be a rework...
:hmm:

 

[G.smith]

Write Pedersoli with the serial number. It has been my experience with this company that they answer quickly with way more detail than I asked for. Just my two cents worth.

 

[Wes/Tex]

From the muzzle arrangement it appears to be of current production. If so, I suspect it may indeed have been made for the European market where rifled muzzle loaders require more certificates and official approval. Current production is in .45, .50 and .54 calibers and there's now a maple stocked version. The Pedersoli site doesn't specifically say any of these calibers are smooth bore, so the suggestion of contacting them may be a good idea.

 

[RonRC]

The idea of contacting Pedersoli makes sense. I will try that.
Thank you,
Ron