Got a new (to me) flintlock smoothbore...

OK I just won a bid on Gunbroker for what is described as an "1803 style" caliber 65 smooth bore musket with no markings. It looks like an 1803 but not really, or maybe a Baker but not really, or a Jaeger but not really. I'll have to wait and try and figure out what it is. I'm sure it is a reproduction of some sort.

It's certainly a very interesting piece. Regardless of it provenance, if it shoots well then it's a keeper.

Howdy!

I have seen this same same style or make of gun before. You might want to consider never shooting it, for your own safety. If you take the barrel off, you will likely notice the breech plus is tack welded into place.
They were made back some 30 and 40 years ago as wall hangers, over seas. The locks are no good, and is just outright dangerous to shoot.

Some make lamp stands out of them.
Not trying to slam your gun, just trying to warn you of the dangers that lye underneath.

Looks like it was made by the same folks that made those cheap sea service dragoon pistols. Definitely check the breach to see if its tack welded. If so, hang it on the wall.

Don

I had one and shot it It has a two piece barrelI wouldnt shoot it today,although it shot very well.

At the price I got in it there is plenty of room to upgrade it. I'm pretty good at making sow's ears into silk purses. That's why I said have to wait to see what it is.

I think it is an "Ultra-Hi" Japanese concoction from the 60's or 70's. A buddy of mine picked one up for $50 a few days back and brought it to a primitive camp as a conversation piece. A few guys knew enough about it to recommend against shooting it. Problems mentioned were: soft frizzen won't usually spark, two-piece barrel can easily become a two piece projectile, and like others have mentioned, the breechplug can easily become permanent jewelry for your forehead. Be careful, be very careful! It might be the sow's ear that was never intended to be a purse.

IIRC, the barrel steel was called into question also.

I have one someone gave me.

The rifle came in and I have taken it all apart. It looks like an ultra-hi but not quite. All of the ultra-hi guns I have seen have crude scrollwork on the locks and cock’s and Japan stamped inside them.

There are no markings on it anywhere. The breech plug is screwed in and the barrel seems to be one piece. I made a tool to check for any seams in the bore and did not feel any. The lock functions perfectly and throws a good spark. So far I have proof tested the barrel with a double charge 120gr FFG and patched 600 ball without any problems. It started raining so I have not yet proofed it with the 300% charge of 180gr.

A friend and fellow gunsmith said it looks like a kit gun Dixie Gun Works sold as a trade gun in the late 60’s and early 70’s. He remembered reading about Dixie Gun Works recalling two piece barrels and replacing them. If my final proof works out I won’t have any qualms about shooting it and if it will group it’s a keeper. I may even refinish the stock.

Sounds like you got a shooter and not one of the kind some of us have seen. Glad it held up well when proofed and that the breach is sound. Have fun with your new to you smooth bore.

Don

She passed the 300% with flying colors and makes good smoke...









Maybe someone might have some info on the lock. It's single bridled with no marking. Sorry about the fuzzy pictures.

You have a simple and rugged hunting piece. A bit crude compared to the high dollar guns but it does indeed shoot just fine.

I once had a Japanese sea service flintlock pistol with the same type of lock with no bridle, and philips head scows, it did spark well, but was pretty crude and had poor architecture.

Hell of a good flame thrower ya got there.

Looks like an Ultra-High to me, Japanese made70's era(1970's).
Nit Wit

I have one of the pistols, same lock. I need a frizzen for it. I wont shoot the barrel, just want to use the lock. The barrel breech looks welded then ground flush,and dont see any seams, the tang is welded on.

Looks like a winner to me, I have been wanting a big bore flinter like that for a while, would make a good hog gun.

It's 65cal but it's a flintlock and ya can't go no better. :thumbsup:

Just ran across this thread and the pictures are gone, thanks to Photobucket and Tinypics so I'm adding the ones I could find here as Angie advised back then. I couldn't find the pictures of proofing it or the lock. If I find them I'll add them later.




Edit found the lock pictures.

I made a video about proofing the barrel but it was too large to attach here. So I uploaded it to Youtube it's only 40 seconds.