1851 Navy Yank Pepperbox Revolver

[expat_alaska]

While not anywhere near historically correct, I was intrigued about how the cylinder was secured to the pistol. Turns out that the end of the arbor is threaded for the attachment screw (but I'm sure it's not that simple as that).

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=16989

I found this during my wanderings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbXVk2ehK24

I'd like opinions about loading 3 lead patched balls in one chamber with 20 gr FFFg BP. I realize that the balls are fired from a smoothbore chamber and not into a forcing cone/rifled barrel.

Anyone have any experience doing this?

Thanks in advance!

Jim

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

I would be surprised if there would be much of a muzzle velocity given this design.

 

[kBob]

Deleted

got to following Mikes You tube links and was commenting on another of his videos

-kBob

 

[alexander45]

Always found them intressting and with that little powder I doubt it would be a problem

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

I had read "somewhere" that "someone" had simulated a cb revolver cylinder only igniting and expelling a ball, like in a simulated chainfire and the velocity was less than 200 fps. I would be interested in actual mv data, to confirm or disproof for this little guy.

 

[Texas Moon]

They should of went all the way and finished it as a pocket gun.
Full length cylinder flutes.
Rounded Thunderer type grip.
Rounded off the front of the frame.

As it is it looks wrong.

 

[elhombreconnonombre]

Or since thus is another Pietta fantasy item, how about just adding a real barrel and modified lug, to go along with that long cylinder. I bet you can really load that cylinder up with a lot of bp and balls/shot.

 

[dancitizen]

intriguing, but I can't find a chrono test anywhere on the web.

 

[Nickel Plated]

Or since thus is another Pietta fantasy item, how about just adding a real barrel and modified lug, to go along with that long cylinder. I bet you can really load that cylinder up with a lot of bp and balls/shot.

That's what i was thinking. use a lengthened frame and arbor pin to make a "magnum" Navy

 

[Bigdog57]

Probably deadly enough at 'belly buster' distances.

 

[RyanM]

I wouldn't try that loading. That short of a "barrel" and that many balls over that small of a charge, and velocity is going to be nil. Extremely likely the balls would ricochet back at you and/or other shooters if they hit a wooden target stand. I'm not even 100% sure if 1 ball per chamber would give you enough velocity to not be a ricochet risk.

I've had a ricochet happen with an NAA Companion. Flinched (someone was shooting a .454 nearby), hit wood instead of paper, and the bullet landed on top of my shooting bag.

I even kept the bullet. It wasn't deformed by the impact at all.

 

[dickydalton]

Well, just doing some screen measurement, it looks like the pepper box has the equilivant of an inch and a half barrel if loaded with normal charges. This one I made has only a 2 inch barrel and shoots pretty darn good.
I will shoot it over the chrono this summer just to see what it does but at 20' into washed sand it penetrates about 4-5" and flattens the ball a bit.

P.S.
All that said, I'd probably buy 200 bucks worth of Swiss 3 F instead of it.

 

[perldog007]

here's a good ricochet story

Once upon a time far away and some years ago I was at the range with some nice handloads pushing a 255gr Keith around 900 fps out of my Smith. This couple was there checking out 'a gun' for Y2K... Yep. So the guy asks me what the fat chick is shooting, I reply that my wife ( actually g/f ) was operating a Taurus 65.. He goes back to his lane, I let one loose, he hits the floor.. No permanent damage but scared us all... Nobody ever saw a slug like that come uprange off the spinner before... Kismet?

ANYWHO>>>> I can tell you that the 2 ball remington multi ball load for .38 +p was 'interesting' at point blank range. I would start with two..... but that's me. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

 

[expat_alaska]

Or since thus is another Pietta fantasy item, how about just adding a real barrel and modified lug, to go along with that long cylinder. I bet you can really load that cylinder up with a lot of bp and balls/shot.

Even with that scenario, firing the pistol with multi-ball loads into a forcing cone and a rifled barrel may be hazardous. I think that the Walker is about max insofar as BP loads are concerned. This cylinder is MUCH longer than the Walker, and with multiple patched balls might get a ball stuck in the barrel with the load in the video.

Jim

 

[Bigdog57]

Got a good ricochet story. Bought my first C&B revolver from a K-mat in 1976. I was just as stupid as the kid who sold it to me, along with the .457 round nose flat base bullets! I had no loading data. Took the little Pietta 1851 Navy .44 Brasser to the woods, loaded as much Pyrodex as it would hold and still get the oversized bullets in, falt base outwards! Mega wad cutters..... Shaved a lot of lead.
I sent the first six through both sides of an old pick-up truck bed. The second six Is hot at a snake trying to shed it's skin by crawling through some moss. Never hit him but put the Fear of God in him!
Third set of six loads I shot at an old dead oak tree about four feet around. The woods was soft and spongy. Y'all know where this is going.......
Each shot I took from about 30 feet I heard this weird 'plop' sound. What is that!?
Finally emptied it and started walking to the tree. Saw all six lead slugs at my feet! Oh crap! Had I been any closer I'd have shot myself!
Well, the pistol finally called it quits, and the cylinder latch and it's spring both broke! I got new parts, but they did not fit. After a LOT of work, it still only cycles about half the time then locks up. I no longer shoot it. I learned a lot after that, and am much more careful these days!