Under hammer flintlock

[Col. Batguano]

Has anyone here ever tried one?

Now doing a build to replicate this gun would be a really fun build to try and take on and replicate. It’d be “invent the wheel” stuff at just about every turn. Not a lot of under hammer flint locks out there. Figuring out the lock would be the first thing to try and get right. It's not like any major lock makers make anything even close to what's needed.

Here's a link to the original.
https://jamesdjulia.com/item/4352-394/

The original sold a few years ago for $13,800 plus the 20% buyer’s premium, + shipping. Not an insane amount like some originals trade for. Like most of us, I have fired flintlocks upside down before, and they don’t seem to be appreciably slower, but I think you DO have to use a bit more powder in the pan. Your forward arm placement would be pretty important to pay attention to as well!

 

[ohio ramrod]

About ten years ago (or there about), A man brought one to our local rendezvous and several of us fired it .You need long sleaves to prevent wrist burns. It threw a lot of "flash" but it fired every time.It was interesting, but not something I would make myself. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[tenngun]

I have see cased pistols with upside down locks. I turned developed guns upside down and shot, they all went off fine. I am put in mind of the Colt revolving rifles, long sleeves a must.

 

[Scota4570]

If you are craving a different type of build, I have one. A side hammer cap gun, like a Jenks, but a ML. I built one a while back out of curiosity and pent up nervious energy.

I made two barrels and a hooked breech, a 45 and a 54. The 45 is a cartridge barrel so sabots and slugs shoot well. The 54 was a Knight from Green mountain. Both barrels shoot patched balls well too.

IT is a carbine. The nipple screws into the side of the barrel. I have never had a single misfire with it. Unlike an underhammer there is less chance the cap will fall off. I made a cam safety that lifts the hammer off the nipple. There is no half cock notch, the cam is much stronger.

All in all, different but, extremely practical.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I have a Colt 1855 revolving Carbine. I have never fired it though. Can't see a good reason to risk hurting an original piece like that, since, once you put a gun to your shoulder, they're all pretty much the same. The only thing you see is the sights, and touch is the trigger. Also, a chain fire could be very dangerous if your support hand is forward of the cylinder. So why risk it? I have plenty of other stuff to shoot that doesn't have that sort of worry associated with it.

 

[sc45-70]

Other than the wow factor they are not much different than a sidelock flintlock.

SC45-70

 

[Rifleman1776]

Not a lot of under hammer flint locks out there.

True, not a lot. But, in this game you might find almost anything on the range. At larger shoots I have seen several 'upside down' bench rest flintlock rifles. Weird but they worked. Better? I dunno. :idunno:

 

[4570tc]

I built one in the 70s. It was lite Bench gun. I was very reliable till the flint got dull! I was shooting a match, on the 8 out of 10 shots, it went dull, every time I reprimed, and tried again NOTHING! 5 trys, then I changed the flint. the next try the gun went off and so did the pile of powder on the bench!!!!! disassembled
the gun THAT night!

 

[John May]

I shoot a custom built (Jim Greathead) Underhammer Flint Pistol in .45" cal. It's got fixed sights and the only 'advantage' I can see with it is the un-obstructed sighting plane. It's very reliable and draws a few sideways glances on the range. I admit to having a 'thing' about under hammers of every shape and size so a flint version seemed like the natural progression.
Sadly Jim Greathead is no longer with us but a number of his very accurate percussion pistols are still used in competition in the UK.

 

[Wes/Tex]

You're going to have to find a way to post pics of your pistol...I'm still smiling at Col. Batguano's posted pics of the under flint he wants to duplicate. I know from experience that a well tuned flint will operate just fine inverted and these designs are wonderfully inventive! :thumbsup:

Here's an interesting look at the trigger mechanism for one.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/metalshaper/flintlockunderhammer.jpg

 

[Wes/Tex]

This pistol is one by Scott Coy.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/76/f0/cd/76f0cdd79891a002dc9bbe4a4c394ffa--handgun-firearms.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/17/00/56/1700565089cdcaa8b5df3d1382afd233.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j7PMWDJk...rfVigY/s1600/under+hammer+flintlock#2+003.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j7PMWDJk...5XAVr4/s1600/under+hammer+flintlock#2+002.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j7PMWDJk...RtMdik/s1600/under+hammer+flintlock#2+001.jpg

 

[Wes/Tex]

Another fowler from Molenbeck estimate by James D, Julia as being made around 1722.
https://jamesdjulia.com/wp-content/uploads/images/auctions/303/images/org/41172x100.jpg
https://jamesdjulia.com/wp-content/uploads/images/auctions/303/images/org/41172x5.jpg


I have to say my first black powder pistol was one of the H&A bottom-slappers! Still have soft spot in my heart and my head for them. These guns are giving me so seriously daft ideas! What happens next is all y'all's fault! :rotf:

 

[wulf]

If you want to make one, you could start by
getting a cheap "tinder lighter" and use all
the parts.They are all right there...Your welcome

Wulf