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Message started by HAPPYDAN on 05/08/14 at 10:08:00

Title: Hey Gunners - Muzzleloader Question
Post by HAPPYDAN on 05/08/14 at 10:08:00

First the background. My Father in Law, whom I used to shoot flintlock rifles with, passed away 2 years ago, and his estate has been in probate (sibling rivalry?). He left a muzzle-loading 12 gauge shotgun to me, crafted circa 1850-1860 by a gunmaker in Camden NJ named Neff. It is a plain utility piece, no embellishment. We have not been able to find any reference to the gun or the maker, so we don't know the value. If anyone here has a clue, please let me know. Next up, he used the gun in competition, so it does shoot. But, it's a Damascus-type forge welded barrel. If anyone has detailed info regarding the safe, proper loading of this type shotgun, please share your expertise. Thanks

Title: Re: Hey Gunners - Muzzleloader Question
Post by shorty on 05/08/14 at 10:14:08

check out this link:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/muzzleloader_shotguns.htm

Title: Re: Hey Gunners - Muzzleloader Question
Post by Boofer on 05/10/14 at 19:01:43

A quick check of American gunmakers, literally thousands, shows Neff Hardware, George Neff, Peter Neff, William Neff, and a collections of these names with "and sons" added.

Title: Re: Hey Gunners - Muzzleloader Question
Post by Ed L. on 05/11/14 at 06:45:11

If it is a rocklock don't use any black powder substitute like Proydex only use real black powder. For the main charge keep with FF and for the flash pan use FFF or FFFF if you can find it. I would get the firearm checked out by a gunsmith if you can find one that knows about real old guns. All the load information I have is for modern muzzle loaders, not like that old girl you have. I would think around 35 grains of F powder would be a safe start with #7 shot, I use that load in my .50 caliber pistols and a round ball. It's around a .69 caliber so don't go shooting any round balls out of it, you might burst the barrel
Have fun and be safe

Title: Re: Hey Gunners - Muzzleloader Question
Post by WD on 05/11/14 at 08:25:53

Paul Bunyon Rifle Range, Puyallup, home of western Washington's largest mountain man group. One of those guys can run you through the drill with it. Or call old man Welcher in Tacoma if his shop is still open.

You did say in another thread you're a west sider, and I grew up there...

My 1800s 12g double is a forged Moore and Harris English made caplock. Had it inspected, barrels passed muster according to the crew at Dixie Gunworks. Need to restock mine and get it usable. It belonged to Lisa's great great grandfather, President Davis' personal military courier and survivor of both Shiloh and being a P.O.W...

Title: Re: Hey Gunners - Muzzleloader Question
Post by HAPPYDAN on 05/11/14 at 11:48:56

6D7E3A0 wrote:

Thanks, that's some good info. That sounds like you have a real heirloom piece there, also. And yup - I live in Gig Harbor. So the PBers sound like the place to go. Now the bad news. It arrived OK, but was in a broken case, apparently had been in a storage locker or something for those 2 years while the other kids argued. Moisture got to it, so now I have a damaged stock and a rusty barrel. It has a well made caplock, which after a thorough cleaning and relube, looks and works good. I am researching methods of restoring the rest of it. Regarding shooting it, I have no experience with a B/P front stuffer shotgun. Rifles, cap and flint - lots. Even a finicky C&B wheel gun (sold that one!) My go-to field gun is a Charles Daly O/A .410, which I reload the hulls with American Pioneer Jim Shockey Gold 3F (BP substitute, as black powder is illegal here - classified as a low explosive). But stuffing a 3 inch hull on the work bench is a lot different than a running all that powder, shot and wad down a 30 inch barrel (outside, in the wind and rain, of course!). Also not so good, they didn't send the possibles bag, so no cleaning attachments. So before I get to shooting, I have some busy work to do. But Thanks to all for you responses. :)