H&A peep sight & buggy rifle

[walruskid1]

I've had the sight in my parts box for years and finally found a rifle to go with it. A nice buggy rifle to go with my off hand. I sold my heavy Target underhammer years ago and kept a spare rear sight. I was happy to see that the buggy rifle was drilled and tapped.

 

[Rat]

Very cool buggy rifle...what caliber is it?

 

[walruskid1]

.45 depending on which rifle I use either a .440 round ball with a .015 patch or a .445 with a .010 patch

 

[Rifleman1776]

My wife won stacks of awards with one of those. The trigger needs some work to ease up and smooth out but that is a simple job.

 

[Newtire]

I have one that's kind of rectangular. Someone gave it to me. Very simple. Went crazy (not a long trip) & bought a few of those things. Numrich used to sell them. Should have bought them back then instead of now. Great guns! Even got a cutaway model. Why anyone needed a cutaway is beyond me??

 

[Sinner]

Nice! The underhammers are my favorite rifles!

 

[kemart17]

Nice! The underhammers are my favorite rifles!

just built an underhammer this, love shooting and hunting tree rats with it.

 

[smo]

Here’s mine! They are great little rifles, and very accurate too.
Mines a .36 cal.

 

[Newtire]

Here’s mine! They are great little rifles, and very accurate too.
Mines a .36 cal. That is one beauty of a case. Good to have all your stuff in one place too. Just grab it and go! Won't end up at the range & forgot your powder.

 

[smo]

Yes it is, I didn’t build the box.

The Gentleman who did is no longer with us.

 

[Sinner]

Awesome SMO!

 

[Metalshaper]

Awesome SMO!

Here is one I made.. H&A styled clone. Mechanism on an insert to avoid the pins through the
frame.. I trot this one out every once in a while when people talk Underhammers

Respect Always
Metalshaper/Jonathan

 

[Sinner]

What a great looking rifle, Super job! What caliber is it? I'd love to see some more pics.

 

[Metalshaper]

What a great looking rifle, Super job! What caliber is it? I'd love to see some more pics.

.45 caliber, 1" a few barrel approximately 31" long.
Under rib is wooden, ramrod pipes were banded in an attempt to resemble the frame.. I'll get more pics when I'm on a computer n not this tablet ( that seems to hate photos )

The double set mechanism is a selfish result of being told ' better gun builders than you have tried and can't make a working double set underhammer ' the inserted works function in about 3.5" of space BTW

Truthfully an UH, if made properly doesn't require a D trigger.. I plan on remaking the works to be a single trigger, since I found a week spot/Crack in the original piece..

Respect Always
Metalshaper / Jonathan

 

[Van1955]

Buggy rifle? This is new to me. Can someone define a " Buggy Rifle"?

 

[Metalshaper]

Back east , where the underhammer flourished originally... were also in areas of of devout church goers.. the story goes that after the services, families gathered to picnic.. afterwards the gentlemen wandered off to have impromptu shooting matches? The guns were small 'buggy rifles' that could be carried in their transportation and not take up much space. Finer versions had take - down stocks or removable barrels and we're fit into light carry cases.. complete with bullet molds, powder flasks and tools to maintain them..

That's how some say they got the name?

Respect Always
Metalshaper / Jonathan

 

[Gene L]

I've only heard Buggy Rifle applied to H&A underhammer rifles. I suspect H&A coined the phrase but don't know.

 

[Metalshaper]

I've only heard Buggy Rifle applied to H&A underhammer rifles. I suspect H&A coined the phrase but don't know.

Back in the day, the underhammer buggy guns went by such names as..Hilliard, Kendall, Ruggles, Carliton, Cook, Bacon, and Billinghurst to name a few. Hopkins and Allen were not even thought of back then!

At some traditional muzzleloading groups/competitions the H&A underhammers are not allowed to compete! Since they are a "modern" designed firearm... now before anyone mentions the generic CVA, Lyman, TC guns being modern,,, their overall design is tradional .. one club questioned my use of a Mule ear rifle

Respect Always
Metalshaper / Jonathan

 

[Eterry]

Jonathan, that's a lovely rifle. I have a friend who's the proud owner of an original Hilliard, he let me take pics and measurements, but it can't be bought.
I have a copy of a Billingshurst, 40 caliber Montana target Barrel. I need to get some Lyman sights on it.

 

[Eterry]

Hilliard under hammer