Who shoots a horse pistol?

[Steve Blancard]

I recently picked up this M1842 Aston horse pistol. The bore looks pretty good. I removed the original cone and the threads in the bolster are fine . I put a new cone in it. Using a telescoping gauge, I measured the bore in several places. It runs about .550" - .554".

I'm looking forward to shooting it. Who else shoots an old horse pistol? Tips and advice welcome.

 

[M. De Land]

I recently picked up this M1842 Aston horse pistol. The bore looks pretty good. I removed the original cone and the threads in the bolster are fine . I put a new cone in it. Using a telescoping gauge, I measured the bore in several places. It runs about .550" - .554".

I'm looking forward to shooting it. Who else shoots an old horse pistol? Tips and advice welcome.

View attachment 20565 View attachment 20566

Is it a smooth bore? I built one in 54 caliber using a section of rifle barrel and a bunch of left over parts from other projects I had on hand. Shoots really well with a 50 grain charge of 2F and patched ball.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Yeah check out my thread about shooting mine:

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/172-years-young-m1842-horse-pistol.117671/

Loads of fun!

 

[Heelerau]

I load an EIC horse pistol with about 28 grains of FFg then a tissue paper wad, ball and wad on top.That is a comfortable load to shoot. A service charge is a bit hard on your wrist.

 

[cositrike]

There is a previous thread on here somewhere, about shooting these pistols.

 

[Steve Blancard]

Thanks guys. I'm off work after Christmas for a few days. I hope to get to the range. I've got .530" balls and some .010" - .012" ticking I plan to try with about 35gr of 2F or 3F.

 

[TFoley]

Thanks guys. I'm off work after Christmas for a few days. I hope to get to the range. I've got .530" balls and some .010" - .012" ticking I plan to try with about 35gr of 2F or 3F.

With such a large calibre, I think 2F is going to be the best.

 

[cositrike]

Thanks guys. I'm off work after Christmas for a few days. I hope to get to the range. I've got .530" balls and some .010" - .012" ticking I plan to try with about 35gr of 2F or 3F.

I think 35g 2F is about the standard military charge.

 

[cositrike]

Good info on page 10 under H Aston + on this page below your thread regarding 172 years young 1842

 

[TFoley]

It's a crying shame to think that although anybody here in UK could walk right into the LGS or antique store and buy one of these [not really, US martial arms are quite rare over here], in order for us to shoot it, it has to be treated just as though it was a .50cal BMG shooting rifle. [Apologies for mentioning the above, but I'm just using it for comparison purposes.]

 

[ugly old guy]

I have a Traditions .50 caliber "Trapper" pistol. Does that count?

I haven't shot it much. I think maybe 3 or 4 shots before the weather drove the folks I was with (they were driving) from the range.

I found the grip a bit on the large side, and am currently in the process of reprofiling the stock to fit my hand a bit better.

 

[B P Arn]

I have this old German 67 caliber (IIRC) pistol that I shoot from time to time.

 

[Steve Blancard]

Yeah. Those count in my book!

I got all the rust out of the bore of my Aston m1842. Its not perfect, but its shootable. I'm looking forward to my range trip in a few days.

 

[Stantheman86]

Paper Cartridges are the way to go....

.490 round ball with 30-35 gr of 2f in a string choked round ball cartridge. Lube the ball end with a touch of whatever works....Wonder Lube, olive oil, etc and go shooting.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I have a Traditions .50 caliber "Trapper" pistol. Does that count?

I haven't shot it much. I think maybe 3 or 4 shots before the weather drove the folks I was with (they were driving) from the range.

I found the grip a bit on the large side, and am currently in the process of reprofiling the stock to fit my hand a bit better.

Usually when the term “horse pistol” is used, it refers to military pistols carried in holsters mounted to the horse’s body. They were cavalry weapons. Your pistol would probably not really be considered a horse pistol.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Paper Cartridges are the way to go....

.490 round ball with 30-35 gr of 2f in a string choked round ball cartridge. Lube the ball end with a touch of whatever works....Wonder Lube, olive oil, etc and go shooting.

That’s on the small side for a .54 bore. I’ve had good luck with .510” and 520” round balls in paper cartridges for these caliber pistols.

 

[Stantheman86]

Hey I just bought your Harper's Ferry Pistol

I only used .490's in cartridges for my .54 Plains Pistol because they were easy to obtain , I don't cast so I just buy what I can find.

I've also used .530's in smoothbore .58's and was able to smack bowling pins at 50 but that's with a musket. Not gonna get match grade accuracy but I'm more interested in getting the balls down a fouled bore.

I can't find what size the ball was in the .54 Pistol service cartridge of the 1840s-1860s except it was "the same ball as used in the 1841 Rifle" although I believe 2 sizes were used in those at various times.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Hey I just bought your Harper's Ferry Pistol

I only used .490's in cartridges for my .54 Plains Pistol because they were easy to obtain , I don't cast so I just buy what I can find.

I've also used .530's in smoothbore .58's and was able to smack bowling pins at 50 but that's with a musket. Not gonna get match grade accuracy but I'm more interested in getting the balls down a fouled bore.

I can't find what size the ball was in the .54 Pistol service cartridge of the 1840s-1860s except it was "the same ball as used in the 1841 Rifle" although I believe 2 sizes were used in those at various times.

I though your name sounded familiar! Lol. I want to say I read it was .525” but could be wrong. I tried that size in paper cartridges and it was a bit too snug, would foul out in just a couple shots. My best groups were with .520” Hornady balls, a .015” patch, and about 40 grains of 2Fg powder in that Harper’s Ferry. Enjoy it, it served me well!

 

[cositrike]

Hey I just bought your Harper's Ferry Pistol

I only used .490's in cartridges for my .54 Plains Pistol because they were easy to obtain , I don't cast so I just buy what I can find.

I've also used .530's in smoothbore .58's and was able to smack bowling pins at 50 but that's with a musket. Not gonna get match grade accuracy but I'm more interested in getting the balls down a fouled bore.

I can't find what size the ball was in the .54 Pistol service cartridge of the 1840s-1860s except it was "the same ball as used in the 1841 Rifle" although I believe 2 sizes were used in those at various times.

I think you’ll find that 0.53” was standard. That’s what I’ve been able to find out.

 

[Steve Blancard]

I've got .530" balls and both .010" and .015" patches. But I think the latter will be too tight. I'll find out soon