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Numrich Arms Underhammer

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The buggy rifle was just a short barreled version of the regular rifle. They have a 20" (if I remember right) barrel. I have one on the basement that was really bad shape when I got it and I'm not sure I can save it, may just use the parts. They were avaliable in various calibers, mine is .45 with a plastic shotgun butplate. The gun articap pictured came late in their production and I don't have a clue as to what they called it. The term buggy rifle dates back to the original underhammers themselves and they often were long barreled pistols with a detachable butstock.
 
One way to set a barrel up for a ramrod is to use a coupling nut. Select an appropriate size nut and drill out the threads for the size of your ramrod. Either solder it to the barrel or dovetail it in. Then drill and tap a hole in the bottom of the nut for a fore end attachment screw. I attached one like that to one my barrels over ten years ago using high grade steel epoxy and it's still on there.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Hardware-Fasteners-Nuts-Rod-Coupling-Nuts/N-5yc1vZc2gl


That's a great idea....thanks Semi
 
If you have an original Billinghurst it would be a crime to modify it in any way. Now if you could come up with a way to attach a removable forearm that wouldn't require any alterations or leave any marks.


I'm sorry, I should have said its a Billinghurst Repro...not an original. It was gonna be a trap gun with a 10ga barrel, then Ken put a heavy 40 cal barrel on it...10 ga on it now. Wanna bust a spring Gobbler
 
I always wanted one of the rifles, maybe some time I will find one. I have a weakness for under hammers. I keep looking and hoping.
Hi,
This is one I restocked for a client in the style of Nicanor Kendall, a great Vermont maker of under hammers during the 19th century.

dave
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OK, I now have a question for the underhammer experts.
There is a screw on the top side of the receiver next to the stock.
When I went to remove it, I discovered that it was just a screw head that had been glued into the hole.
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I need some info on what-how- this is supposed to be/do so I will be able to effect a repair.
The stock is held on with a long bolt though the butt end, so I know it was not for the stock.
The hole goes about 2/3rds of the way through the receiver with a lot of threads showing. (.901" deep) where the receiver is 1.3" in diameter, so the hole goes most of the way through. I cannot find a schematic anywhere that shows a breakdown of this part of the receiver. I am wanting to use this hole as the back anchor point of a 2 hole tang sight. Any idea what the thread size and pitch of this hole is? I don't think walking in the hardware store with the gun to try screws on would go over real well.
 
That hole is for a really neat peep sight that was available from H&A. I wish they were still available. I could use about a half dozen of them.

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Thank you for the information, can you tell me the thread size and pitch?
I need to clean up the hole and fit a screw to hold down the tail end of a pedersoli ghost.
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The sight will be fit and the edges softened and rounded to look more natural with the lines of the gun.
These sights are all steel and tough as nails and can be adjusted for elevation and windage.
 
Don't know the thread size for sure GRIZ. Just looking at it I would guess 1/4x24. Your best bet is to take the breech to a hardware store and try different bolts to see what fits.
 
Dug around until I found the stuff to finish the mount.
Installed a threaded coil in the giant hole and dropped it to a 8/32.
Drilled and tapped the receiver with 8/32 hole for the front screw. Only screw I had was a phillips head, I will change that after the next hardware store trip.
Drilled out the peep hole in the stem and threaded it (12-40) to fit a Williams aperture.
I removed the rear dovetailed sight.
I enjoy being able to change the aperture from range to hunt mode in mere seconds.
I'll get it back to the range this weekend and get it sighted in, now that I can see the sights again!
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That hole is for a really neat peep sight that was available from H&A. I wish they were still available. I could use about a half dozen of them.

I had several of those sights left over from my shop when I first joined here. I sold them quickly to members for very cheap money. Don't mind, glad they are being enjoyed. Those sights were crude and simple but worked well. Personally, I wouldn't try drilling for a peeper on that breech myself. The surface is rounded and curved. I would be sure to get drill bit drift and a hole not centered or perpendicular to the barrel. A trip to a machinist would be in order and worth the money.
 
I had several of those sights left over from my shop when I first joined here. I sold them quickly to members for very cheap money. Don't mind, glad they are being enjoyed. Those sights were crude and simple but worked well. Personally, I wouldn't try drilling for a peeper on that breech myself. The surface is rounded and curved. I would be sure to get drill bit drift and a hole not centered or perpendicular to the barrel. A trip to a machinist would be in order and worth the money.
I had no issues drilling and tapping the hole. I padded it and locked it into the vice on the drill press table. Drilled the hole at 300rpm with a touch of oil on the tip. Hole came through easy and perfectly. I put the tap in the drill press chuck and used the chuck lock to turn the tap. (Back and forth, back and forth) Tap made a really clean thread.
It took a total of about 5 minutes for the (w)hole operation. When I dress down the sight I will slightly concave the bottom of the sight to fit the receiver. This is the 8th or 10th receiver and tang I have drilled and tapped like this and the job is really quite simple. Keep a sharp bit and a sharp tap. Small taps and bits are really cheap compared to a machinists bill.
 
They are great guns. This is my .45 caliber Heritage Model that my dad bought in 1970 and gave to me in 1981. I haven't shot it in a long time but hope to remedy that soon. It's all original except for the ramrod.

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I am in the U.K.
I will have a table at Baltimore next month (T4) and I will probably bring over some BSA #8 folding rearsights --- pre WW1. They are made to fit onto the wrist of the rifle (most commonly a Martini .22).
They may well do... and can be fitted either to the wood or with a simple drill-&-tap job onto the rear of the action body. Being "folding" you can then also have ready access to what I call the MID-sight.
You can see them if you get onto <www.rifleman.org.uk> which is the BEST site that I know.
best regards to all
Jim Hallam
V-P, (British) NRA -- founded in 1860
 
OK, "Ghost" has been mounted.
Just got back from sighting it in.
Once I found the POI and got it adjusted, I got an excellent group at 100 meters.
It settled in at 80gr 2F Old Ensford, .575 ball, .010 patch with Mink Oil.
These are really fun to shoot, and the direct barrel ignition system seems 100% reliable.
This one is now on the list to draw blood next deer season.
The new nipple cured the excessive backpressure issue. It behaves normal now and does not send cap-shrap all over me and the bench.
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I picked up an original numrich 45 cal brand new in the box and never shot last year. It looks like just made. I had one of the H&A 45 underhammers made in the 90's and it did not shoot as well as the older ones.

George
 
Anyone making thinking about making a Peep sight for the H/A,, U/H ,looks basic and it would appear there is a need/market.
 
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