Tower pistol? Refinish an old CVA?

[cdg]

OK, so I am very ignorant. I have been unable to dig up really good resources on what exactly a tower pistol is. From what I've seen around auction sites, they're not desireable, but most likely not a bad thing to take shooting.

So let the questions roll:

1) Refinishing and fixing up an old CVA Tower Pistol- recommended for a first time project? I can get my paws on one from a friend for about the cost of shipping and maybe a few bucks, so I think it would be tough to loose with a deal like that...

2) What exactly constitutes a Tower pistol? From what I've seen, they have a stock that runs most the legnth of the barrel, and a more gently sloping "grip" compared to a Kentucky pistol.

3) It seems that CVA isn't making pistols much or at all lately. Can parts still be had for a CVA pistol? Are these kinds of things relatively generic for sidelock pistols, or is it all very specialized?

4) This is more of a builders question, but how do you recommend finishing an old Tower Pistol? Stain colors? Blue or Brown? Suggestions are appreciated, although I won't have a better idea on things until I actually get it.

Well, that's it for now. If I can get into one cheaply, I think it should fit into my college budget. I'll be moving into my dorm tomorrow, so I apologize in advance if my responses are sluggish- I'm not sure how everything will work out with my internet access, although the dorms provide "free" high speed internet.

Your thoughts are certainly appreciated!

 

[Toomuch_36]

For what its worth here's my $0.02.

1. Sounds like a very good starter project to me and next to nothing $$$ is a good price.

2. I don't know where the "Tower" name came from, I've heard several explenations, some sounded fairly credible and some were realy off the wall. (no pun intended)

3. The Tower pistol has been droped from CVA's line-up for some time now but many parts will interchange with their "Kentucky" and "Colonial" pistols. From what I've heard from several post, CVA is no longer making "side lock arms" at all any more in favor of :cursing: inlines.

4. To my way of thinking the wood would likely have a medium to dark brown finish, and the barrel would be left in-the-white or browned.

Toomuch
...........
Shoot Flint

 

[Story]

CDG,
Here's an original, for inspiration. [url] http://www.horstheld.com/0-Tower.htm[/url]

Note how the stock is shaped under the muzzle, as well as the rather large belt hook and the brass-tipped wooden ramrod.

While the Japanese/Dixie/CVA 'Tower' pistols have shorter barrels, no reason you can't copy those features for fun and functionality. :thumbsup:

 

[Story]

And another original, for inspiration[url] http://www.antiques--art.com/items/5861/item5861store.html[/url]

 

[cdg]

Wow, thanks everybody for the useful responses! The replica I am considering is a precussion cap model- this seems to differ from most of the "Tower Pistols" I have seen. My understanding is that the Tower pistol was a popular maritime weapon that continued in precussion cap form up until around the Civil War. Anybody else able to comment more on the history? Obviously some were flintlock, others caplock... Just seems most of the ones I find are flintlock. :hmm:

Would most "tower pistols" been equipped with rifled or smoothe barrels? If their heyday was closer to the American Revolution, my guess would be mostly smooth...

Thanks for the responses so far. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Briefly, "Tower" markings meant that the gun (musket, carbine or pistol) was probably made after 1764 when guns no longer carried the maker's name on the lock plate and were mrked "Tower" to indicate they had their final inspection and possibly storage at the Tower of London. CVA used the term to market a percussion pistol they made that resembled they British military's issued pistols. The name also was used to market Spanish, Italian and Japanese made copies of what appears to be the pistol issued to the Light Dragoons in the mid to late 18th century. The guns were basically wall-hangers with poor styling and way too soft frizzen and main springs. Many years ago Dixie Gun Works sold these and would harden the springs and tune the guns for the princely price of $4.00! Ah, for the good old days! :shocked2:

 

[Rebel]

Yer kiddin' ain't ya Wes. $4, 4 whole dollars? Why that's highway rubbery. Why i can ALMOST get a gallon of gas for that much money. :grin:

 

[cdg]

Hm, very interesting. Any thoughts on the precussion cap bit- they obviously don't have a frizzen to wear out, but I'm sure there are plenty of other things to go wrong on a caplock!

 

[Story]

Springs. Big deal.

Here's an original percussion version, for inspiration -[url] http://www.forthehunt.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?item=54795986[/url]

 

[john s mosby]

Here's an old repro Tower pistol I picked up for $15 at a local gun show. I refinished it and it turned out decent. It's a smooth bore about 69 cal.
These kinds of finds are good for practice without being afread you'll mess it up after spending lots of money on it.

 

[jaxenro]

The CVA tower pistol was kind of a big, hefty thing with an octogon to round rifled barrel, no sights, steel ramrod, and a brass butcap that didn't come up the sides of the grip but was flat across. The lock was the same as their other percussion pistols (I think), nothing special, and the stock goes most of the way out to the barrel (fullstock). If I remember from their catalog of 20+ years ago, it was supposed to "represent" a sort of generic tower pistol, not copy any particular one. I always thought that with sights it would be as accurate as any of the CVA pistols