Safely firing an antique gun

[Dexis]

So I picked up an antique gun on gunbroker a few months back and still haven’t gotten around to shooting it.

I can’t help but wonder how or where to start when it comes to starting to dump powder down the barrel of a gun from the 1800’s, and wanting to be safe about it.

The seller said they had loaded it up to 90gr of 2f. Which I don’t doubt…BUT I’m not willing to bet my life on it.

Just wondering if anyone has some advice about how to go about starting to shoot this gun, but with some sense and safety in mind.

 

[dtruex]

You'd have to give a lot more information before anyone could begin to answer this. Type of gun. Rifle or smoothbore? Caliber? Flintlock or percussion? Pictures would be good, and descriptions of the condition of the gun, the inside of the bore, condition of the nipple (if it's percussion), and things like that. And of course the first thing to do is make sure the ramrod reaches to the breech/touch hole/nipple to confirm that there's not an old charge in it.

 

[Dexis]

You'd have to give a lot more information before anyone could begin to answer this. Type of gun. Rifle or smoothbore? Caliber? Flintlock or percussion? Pictures would be good, and descriptions of the condition of the gun, the inside of the bore, condition of the nipple (if it's percussion), and things like that. And of course the first thing to do is make sure the ramrod reaches to the breech/touch hole/nipple to confirm that there's not an old charge in it.

These are some of the only photos I have at the moment. I don’t have any photos down the bore but I’ll get some. It’s a Henry Nock 16g. I’m whatever the opposite of an expert is, but from what I can tell it seems to be in quite good condition…but again, what do I really know.

 

[Dexis]

When I drop the ramrod down the barrel it stops at this arrow…

 

[Keyhole]

Here's what I do:
-make sure it's not loaded
-clean it well
-look for structural issues on the outside, including nipple, vent hole lock etc
-run a bore scope down the barrel, inspect barrel and powder chamber
-fire a cap/spark the pan
-fire light loads first, pulling trigger with a string from a safe distance: 10gr, 20 gr, 30gr, 40 gr. Swab barrel and check for issues after each shot
-full powder charge
-projectile with half charge, then again with full charge
-clean up and check for issues again

 

[Dexis]

Here's what I do:
-make sure it's not loaded
-clean it well
-look for structural issues on the outside, including nipple, vent hole lock etc
-run a bore scope down the barrel, inspect barrel and powder chamber
-fire a cap/spark the pan
-fire light loads first, pulling trigger with a string from a safe distance: 10gr, 20 gr, 30gr, 40 gr. Swab barrel and check for issues after each shot
-full powder charge
-projectile with half charge, then again with full charge
-clean up and check for issues again

Any tips on the “make sure it’s not loaded” part? I can’t seem to figure out how to get a visual on the full length of the inside of the barrel. I tried getting a lit photo but it’s coming up very short.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Looks like it’s done a fair bit of work and a new nipples woUld be an investment
, note the burning of the wood in rear of the nipple, also if you fit a nnew nipple make sure it is internally coned, don’t use a flat ended nipple unless there is a seat for it as on most revolvers.

 

[Rudyard]

These are some of the only photos I have at the moment. I don’t have any photos down the bore but I’ll get some. It’s a Henry Nock 16g. I’m whatever the opposite of an expert is, but from what I can tell it seems to be in quite good condition…but again, what do I really know.

Good maker nice twist barrel looks sound as bell' looks like nicely altered from flint by the maker or as good I would have no worries. But its in your hands .Rudyard

 

[Rudyard]

Any tips on the “make sure it’s not loaded” part? I can’t seem to figure out how to get a visual on the full length of the inside of the barrel. I tried getting a lit photo but it’s coming up very short.

Its got Nocks patent breach so the rod wont go down as if it where a common plug .Re nipple I dont alter them if sound as the threads are not the usual modern & can do more harm than good though my learned friend thinks opposite . Regards Rudyard

 

[TFoley]

You'll need to push a piece of 1/8th diameter welding rod, or similar, so that it goes clear ALL the way down to the nipple. Rudyard mentioned that Nock's guns usually had a patent breech - this means that the diameter of the bore is reduced in the breeching to enable higher pressures to be generated.

Because of this, a regular diameter rod might not go all the way down the the breech plug - the closing part of the barrel and the 'blunt end'.

 

[TFoley]

double post.

 

[Sam squanch]

Get a colonoscopy camera that you can use with your I phone and check down inside the breech and all along the inside of the barrel. The barrel may look ok on the outside , but inside may be a different story.

 

[Keyhole]

Any tips on the “make sure it’s not loaded” part? I can’t seem to figure out how to get a visual on the full length of the inside of the barrel. I tried getting a lit photo but it’s coming up very short.

I’ve invested in a nice bore scope but I got started with a much more affordable model from amazon that connects to my iphone.