[luvit]

.
Facts:
● .31 Caliber
● XXVI = 1970 (replica, Made in Italy)
● Gardone V.T. black powder proof house stamping
● Gardone proof house stamping
● ROUND BARREL, not octagon barrel

● Steel Frame, but it has a Brass frame on the grip.
Is this considered a steel frame? (steel frames are recommended for conversions and hotter loads, but my grip is brass)

It looks a lot like the pic in this link: BP REVOLVER-EMF 1849 POCKET .31 CAL. WS1210BBP1849 (http://jacobsonsguncenter.com/bp-revolver-emf-1849-pocket-31-cal-w1210bbp1849/)
The picture is low quality, but I think this is it, if Gunbroker actually has the right description...

If it's the same gun, E.M.F. no longer lists the gun on their site, but they do list a $200 conversion cylinder (http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/CARTRIDGE-CONVERSION-FOR-1849-POCKET-31-106p1206.htm#details) (sold out).

The Action and timing seems great. I just need some test caps & balls before I buy oodles of them. -- like what precise sizes?

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=179985&d=1361227047
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=179986&d=1361227047

[Jim K]

Unless there is a maker's name, I don't know how to tell one repro 1849 from another. They should all be .31 caliber and use the same size balls, and caps.

Jim

[luvit]

...They should all be .31 caliber and use the same size balls, and caps.
Jim, I guess to be more specific, It sounds like few owners know what size of caps (#10/#11) until they have bought and tried.
Also, different lead balls actually measure .310, .312, .313 .320, .386, etc, but are all listed as .31 cal.
So if I can make one purchase based on someone's good experience, then I can eliminate or reduce wrong purchases from "tying/buying"..

[MikeJackmin]

We have an excellent black powder forum here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=12

They can answer all your questions and help with whatever you need.

[luvit]

Thanks, I requested this to be move to BP forum.

[DoubleDeuce 1]

Your revolver has a steel frame. As for the cap sizes, I don't know. If the caps you get are too large, pinch them a bit before you put them on the nipples. You can also use 00 Buck for the balls. Try using FFFG black powder for your charges. It shouldn't be too expensive to get started and see what the revolver needs after some experimenting.:cool:

[kBob]

I use single aught Buck "0 Buck" shot for my .31 as it measures .323 and leaves a ring. Number ten caps stayed on mine best and worked best.

All that said no telling who yours or mine was made by and mine is a brass frame octagonal barrel gun.

You might want to use the search function on the THR/BP board and see what other folks hve been doing. I seem to recall someone in the not too distant past had some questions about a gun like yours with a Dragoon style barrel.

With these pig in a poke guns you just have to do what your or doing ( ask about) then decide what you want to try.

Nice looking gun and somehow I missed it of GB or I might have "fought" you for it.

-kBob

[luvit]

thanks for the buck shot tips.. and i was glad to read the FFFG recommendation.. i want to ensure my shots don't rise from being too hot.
my gun is not picture from GB, i just happen to find the exact twin on GB (all aspects including cylinder art).. so that's my only reference for make/model, so far, if the GB listing was correct.