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1850's John Brown Underhammer Rifle

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Joined
Aug 29, 2016
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Good Day All,
I recently picked up a new addition to my collection and thought I would share it with you. . It is an 1850's Fremont NH John Brown Underhammer rifle. The seller says it is a .40 cal and is a very heavy rifle. I have not received it yet but I do have pictures. It is missing the front sight but the rear tang sight is still present. I hope to get this rifle back into firing condition so I can take to the gun club. I will post more pictures soon.
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I really like Underhammers, especially New England and target rifles. Can you post better pics of the sight and is it missing an elevation rod?
Mark
 
I really like Underhammers, especially New England and target rifles. Can you post better pics of the sight and is it missing an elevation rod?
Mark

I probably should have just hit the like button on Mark's post as there isn't much for me to add. I do like underhammers and own 2 originals as well as several H&As though I never seem to get a chance to shoot them. I too believe there is a missing piece in the rear sight that would be used to adjust the elevation.
 
My very first rifle was an underhammer, and I still have it. I took a lot of game with it and it got fired a lot. It's now retired and out to pasture; it earned that.
 
Typically they are a threaded rod, of appropriate length, and have a unfurled disc attached to facilitate rotating the rod. As the rod rotates the sight goes up and down.
 
It is missing an elevation rod and I do not know what one looks like. Can you help?

The best way to determine what the adjuster looks like is to research Brown's underhammers as they likely all have the same style if they have an adjustable rear sight. If it isn't possible to find one of his guns then an examination of the rear sight and tang would probably suggest a workable solution.
 
The best way to determine what the adjuster looks like is to research Brown's underhammers as they likely all have the same style if they have an adjustable rear sight. If it isn't possible to find one of his guns then an examination of the rear sight and tang would probably suggest a workable solution.

Looking at the rear sight tang you see a metal plate with a small hole that slides up and down when you loosen the screw on the side. Could the elevation rod be a stationary support or is the sliding plate a coarse adjustment? If I can find a photo of the rod I can make one on my metal lathe.
 
NIce rifle! I can't tell from the pics, but I'm assuming the breech plug is surrounded by the wrist of the stock? Does it have a frame extending down the wrist?
 
Well Done, looks like it's a shooter. Flash cups will protect the underside of the barrel but not stop debris from hitting your arm. Sounds more like you are getting blow back from an enlarged nipple blowing the cap off.
 

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