Underhammer in the woods

[Dusty_Traveler]

We got out in the woods this afternoon with a recently acquired D.H. Hilliard underhammer. The smooth bore measures .525". The nipple cone was a lot larger in diameter than a number 11 cap, but much smaller than a musket cap. Was there ever a civilian cap made that was bigger than a #11? I chucked the nipple up in the drill press and filed a good taper on it, and got it to where it will hold a #11 cap well. I loaded it up with some 7.5 shot and fired it a few times, killing a couple of Coke cans deddern’ell. It had a rear sight at one time, but it appears to have been filed down flush with the barrel. It has been well used, and fairly well taken care of. The stock has had some repair, a couple of cracks and a chip. I like seeing the old repairs and don’t mind stable cracks. Adds character. It was still good and solid after carrying it a mile through the woods and firing it a few times. The bore is mostly bright with some light and scattered pitting. Doesn't fuzz up a cleaning patch too bad. Still needs a little work with some JB paste. The squirrels eluded us once again.

 

[user 48679]

Good-loooking gun.......... and a dog that looks like it'll hunt !

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Good-loooking gun.......... and a dog that looks like it'll hunt !

Thanks! He was locked in on something as I took this pic. He blasted off in hot pursuit after I snapped it.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

I like it. Give us some more details when you get done chasing squirrels.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I like it. Give us some more details when you get done chasing squirrels.

What details are you curious about? I'll do what I can!

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Maybe some close up photos of the lock area. Loads you use or anything else that comes to mind. I've always thought under hammers were pretty simple and functional designs.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

 

[morehops52]

OMG my shoulder had a huge flinch reaction as soon as I looked at that butt plate
I'm sure it's from recoil memory of my Hawken.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Maybe some close up photos of the lock area. Loads you use or anything else that comes to mind. I've always thought under hammers were pretty simple and functional designs.

I posted some pictures. I hope that helps. I haven’t disassembled this piece yet, so I couldn’t begin to explain how it’s setup inside.

Tonight was the first time I’ve shot this gun, and the load I was using was a square load of 50gr 3f schutzen, a .54 cal 1/8” felt wad soaked in a tallow/beeswax mix, 50gr by volume #7.5 shot, and another lubed wad on top. From about 10 paces I shot a log fungus, a box, and a couple of coke cans. There were enough pellets in each to have done the job.

It weighs 6lbs 4oz, has a 27” barrel, OAL of 43”, and 3.5” of drop at the heel. A handy totin piece.

 

[user 31232]

Sweet

 

[muzzlecap]

Nice smoothbore! Funny you asked about percussion caps bigger than #11. Happens that one of our on line auctions has a vintage can of F. Joyce & CO #25 percussion caps.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Nice smoothbore! Funny you asked about percussion caps bigger than #11. Happens that one of our on line auctions has a vintage can of F. Joyce & CO #25 percussion caps.

Did they happen to list their inside diameter?

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Wow! After an interwebz search, I see all kinds of different number sizes of vintage caps! I guess the reason we have number 11's now is that they were the cheapest to manufacture, and still effectively light the fire. Just a WAG though.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Thanks for all the photos. That's a very interesting gun. Great acquisition!

 

[Barry Strickland]

Nice to see you have a original Hilliard. He was certainly prolific but not many of his pieces around today. Enjoy the gun while it is in your care!
Barry

 

[muzzlecap]

Did they happen to list their inside diameter?

No. Can just says F4 #25 percussion caps

 

[OldRust]

Nice Hilliard ! Mid 1800's and they were known for their target rifles. Ned Roberts book The Muzzle Loading Cap Lock Rifle has caps with dimensions listed. Winchester 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and musket Eley has # 10 through 26.

Thanks for sharing.
O.R.

 

[OLUT]

You've got a nice Hilliard that was made in Cornish, NH ... I don't know how yours got to Arkansas, but they are somewhat common at auctions here in New Hampshire. They are light & handy, with many showing the typical cracking in the wrist like yours. I'm glad that you've stabilized the cracks as they would get worse with firing ... Hilliard bought the rights to make these from Nicanor Kendall in the early 1840's. (Kendall lived just on the other side of the Connecticut River in Windsor, Vermont and his underhammmers show the same typical cracking and also used the larger percussion cap). The action of both makers are similar, but Hilliard used a simpler mainspring. Here's an illustration of it from Logan's book on underhammer guns.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

That design looks as though it would make for an interesting project. I got a barrel fragment from a T/C New Englander around here someplace...