Strange rifle

[tallPercshooter]

Just saw a custom halfstock rifle, nicely made, that is unlike any I have seen before. Instead of having a drum and nipple, or a patent breech, the nipple is screwed directly into the slanted flat of the octagon barrel, just about where the breechplug ends. The otherwise normal percussion lock has the hammer bent over to the left, so that the hammer impacts the nipple in the barrel. Very neatly done and probably works well. Why it was done this way I can't guess. No pictures but you can search a certain well-known gun auction site and search on "D Bowman" to see good views of this rifle.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Why it was done this way I can't guess ...

It certainly gives a direct STRAIGHT flame path to the charge and is easier, less bending the hammer.

 

[smokepolehall]

I am wondering if your talking about a mules ear lock n i think you are. Yeah don't see many of them around anymore

 

[chorizo]

Not a mules ear and just exactly as described!

 

[smokepolehall]

All righty then, pfhhhht

 

[2 shots]

under hammer / mule ear confederate conversion

 

[chorizo]

Talk about a field expedient way of getting around having a bolster

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Dunno how you could see the sights very well. Breech plug could be made from a bolt with the correct thread. Interesting though.

 

[oreclan]

This system was not uncommon when you consider all the military flint to percussion conversions that used this system during the middle of the 19th Century.

 

[Scota@4570]

That looks like a very practical way to do it. The shorter you can make the flash channel the better.

I have made under hammer and side hammer guns with the nipple screwed into the side of the barrel. The reliability of these guns is much better than guns with a drum or chambered breech and snail. The lock time is also faster.

 

[Okie Hog]

i've seen period rifles with the nipple screwed into the barrel.

 

[longcruise]

It looks like it would have a short breech plug.

 

[tallPercshooter]

Someone liked it a lot. Final auction price - $1,035.

 

[flembo]

In late 1800s the Springfield Armory converted many Flint lock muskets to percussion in that manner. The one shown is a mod 1816 converted in1848 this was an armory conversion.