Caplock Target Rifle

[California Joe]

Thought some of you guys might dig this so I took a few pics....

This rifle is in my local museum, it was made by a local family of gunsmiths during the Civil War. It's a great example of a period target/sniper rifle. Back action lock, heavy barrel with matching bullet mold, ivory mounted bullet starter, custom rear sight. It's a beautiful rifle. The craftsmanship is excellent....

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/6499/belknaprifle003le2.jpg

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2613/belknaprifle004aa5.jpg

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1782/belknaprifle005lr9.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1300/belknaprifle006em9.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8458/belknaprifle009ug5.jpg

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7443/belknaprifle010ff8.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6775/belknaprifle014ok1.jpg

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/812/belknaprifle015nx9.jpg

[Hollis]

Thank for posting that, great pictures. Have you seem them with a false muzzel for loading. It is a part of the barrel that is cut off an dhas alignment dowels so it seats in the muzzel of the rifle, It allows for a sharper angle on the crown of the barrel.

[no bic]

The workmanship in most of the old rifles like that is amazing. Considering they were basically hand made.

I have a Winchester M1886 (~100 years old) black power rifle in .45-90 and I was pleasantly surprised at how accurate it was when I first shot the thing. It has a trajectory like a rainbow but it hits where you tell it to.

[BillySing]

that's a beautiful rifle, the pics dont do it justice.....what's the furniture made from?

[rhino]

amaizing CJ, thanks for posting

[Durandal]

Thanks for sharing CJ. A great looking gun.

[Hollis]

The workmanship in most of the old rifles like that is amazing. Considering they were basically hand made.

I have a Winchester M1886 (~100 years old) black power rifle in .45-90 and I was pleasantly surprised at how accurate it was when I first shot the thing. It has a trajectory like a rainbow but it hits where you tell it to.

There are a lot of myths about Black Powder firearms. The Whitworth rifle, with it's unique hexagonal rifling ( like H&K) was a sniper's choice during the American CW, If memory is right there was a kill out to 1300 Yards. The only major problem was range estimation, BP has more of a rainbow trajectory, IE' range estimates are critical,

[California Joe]

They have it under glass so the flash was bouncing a little bit. The furniture on it appears to be nickel silver. Hollis is right, from what I've read the Whitworth was an outstanding snipers rifle. I've seen some of the real heavy barreled target rifles that were pressed into service with the false muzzles etc. Some of the damned thing weigh 20 pounds or more. Some of them used those long brass scopes also.

[Limeyfellow]

When I was back visiting England last month I made sure to go to the Royal Armouries. They have so many examples of the finest firearms you can possibly imagine. Well worth a visit.

[TacoDelRio]

Great looking sights. Not a helluva lot has changed in the last couple 100-200 years.

[Geezah]

Tag, why because it deserves to stay at the top;)

Great pics, thanks for posting.

[rhino]

There are a lot of myths about Black Powder firearms. The Whitworth rifle, with it's unique hexagonal rifling ( like H&K) was a sniper's choice during the American CW, If memory is right there was a kill out to 1300 Yards. The only major problem was range estimation, BP has more of a rainbow trajectory, IE' range estimates are critical,


http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3343/1whitworth1gi1.jpg

ahhh, you had to remind me of my lost love:-( , few years back I learned about this beaty of a gun, I wanted to buy it but they are hard to find, there are places that sell the kits to hand made your own so I promised myself to do that one day, ahh I do hope that day comes soon though

[Hollis]

ahhh, you had to remind me of my lost love:-( , few years back I learned about this beaty of a gun, I wanted to buy it but they are hard to find, there are places that sell the kits to hand made your own so I promised myself to do that one day, ahh I do hope that day comes soon though

Yes about 13 years ago, Navy Arms had them, and that was the last of them, Made by Parker Hale. I have not seen them around. I missed buying a repro too.

[rhino]

Yes about 13 years ago, Navy Arms had them, and that was the last of them, Made by Parker Hale. I have not seen them around. I missed buying a repro too.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO................................

[California Joe]

Yeah, I have an old Navy Arms catalog around here somewhere that had them in it.

[Hollis]

I use to be a Navy Arms Dealers back them. Since then they no longer do direct distribution and use a series of wholesalers. NA is a great company, they are very honest in their descriptions of Military Surplus. The other firearm I missed buying from them is a Mortimer fowler(SP?).

[oldsoak]

I use to be a Navy Arms Dealers back them. Since then they no longer do direct distribution and use a series of wholesalers. NA is a great company, they are very honest in their descriptions of Military Surplus. The other firearm I missed buying from them is a Mortimer fowler(SP?).

- theres always a next time fella. Was it one with plain steel or damascus barrels ? Some of the period guns are so beautifully made, you'd want permission from the Pope, Chief Rabbi or the Archbishop ( preferably all three ) before you'd put powder and ball to 'em. I handled a volunteer Enfield the other day, and had to lie down in a dark room afterwards...:lol:

[Hollis]

- theres always a next time fella. Was it one with plain steel or damascus barrels ? Some of the period guns are so beautifully made, you'd want permission from the Pope, Chief Rabbi or the Archbishop ( preferably all three ) before you'd put powder and ball to 'em. I handled a volunteer Enfield the other day, and had to lie down in a dark room afterwards...:lol:


Navy arms had repros, very safe to shoot. No kidding about the Damascus barrel..... They are real prudy... but now deadly.

Fortunately I have a Parker DH, made around 1900, owned my a Great Grand father of ours is does not have Damascus barrels.

My oldest shooter is a 1818 Springfield. I don't think I would ever attempt to shoot a Damascus barrel firearm. On the 1818, I pulled the breech plug and inspected it very carefully before firing.

Thanks for mentioning Damascus barrels, there maybe someone on the forum that does realize how deadly they have become.