1900s Belgium Flobert Help Needed

[Dan13]

I acquired a 1894-1914 Belgium Flobert .22 caliber rifle as best as I can tell. It has the later warnant lift up breech cap to load and eject the shells. When the hammer is fully down, it does not settle all the way down in the slot on the breech cap. Upon closer examination it appears the firing pin going through the breech cap is way too long. I know these were cheap guns and not many still are around, but hoping some members have one.

Before grinding down, can someone who has one let me know the length of their firing pin? You can measure without removing it. Also, if possible, let me know the thread pitch of the two pivot screws that hold the breech cap to the barrel. Mine has been replaced at some time with the wrong screws and the threads on the sides of the barrel are stripped out and needs to be fixed.

Even though these were cheap guns, they look nice with the octagon barrel, nice woodwork on the stock, and fancy trigger guards.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Some photos would be helpful, of the entire rifle and closeups of any markings. There was evidently considerable variation on the basic theme. It would be the wildest luck if someone here has the same exact model as yours, but stranger things happen.

Gun Parts/Numrich carries some Flobert rifle parts, but note the variety of different hammers found on this page: https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/flobert/flobert-2?page=2

You'll probably need to determine the original thread pitch yourself, and a rethreading will likely be in order in anyway.

If you are determined to shoot this rifle, might I suggest that you source some rimfire blanks? I don't belive these are considered safe with modern .22 rimfire ammunition.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2014/3/27/flobert-rifles/

 

[Dan13]

Thanks Dave, away from the house right now so no pics at the moment. I know I have the final version of the warnant system, so the date range is 1894 - 1914. I was afraid of needing to rethread, but a more modern 10- 24 would be easy to match. I already ordered the .22 Flobert CB cap ammo (ouch $$$), and read on this forum not to shoot modern .22 ammo.

I appreciate your advice.

 

[Dan13]

here are a few pics as requested. Hoping someone out there has one who could take a measurement of the firing pin length.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

here are a few pics as requested. Hoping someone out there has one who could take a measurement of the firing pin length.

Another thing might prove helpful should anyone have something similar: use a caliper and provide the length of the center section of the breech block where the firing pin passes through.

If nothing else, perhaps one of the gunsmithy types (not me!) in this group could give you fabrication advice.

Check out the process for dimensioning and fabbing a new firing pin, starting about 6 minutes into this video:

 

[indy1919a4]

Another thing might prove helpful should anyone have something similar: use a caliper and provide the length of the center section of the breech block where the firing pin passes through.

If nothing else, perhaps one of the gunsmithy types (not me!) in this group could give you fabrication advice.

Check out the process for dimensioning and fabbing a new firing pin, starting about 6 minutes into this video:

Thanks for that link..that was nonstop on the edge of your seat entertainment.. Thats a gun worth spending the big money for new made parts..

to the OP.. I would get another that works.. right now those are pretty cheap. (And they were made cheap). And what is worst is that the parts are really not interchangeable. They were made by 100s of different makers. And where as they look the same they are not. Some not even close..

 

[Dan13]

Indy, my Flobert may work as-is, I have not attempted to fire it yet. New to Floberts, but not to rifles, and it appears to me that the firing pin does not need to stick out 1/2" or so to fire a rim fire bullet. Anyone out there that has a Flobert with the warnant breech system can just let me know how far the firing pin sticks out from the breech block, even if it is not the exact version I have, will validate my assumption. No sense buying a whole new Flobert rifle when I can just file/grind the firing pin to the correct length.

 

[indy1919a4]

Well test it out.. the suspense is killing me.. You have a 22.. yank off the bullet (with your teeth is visually cool but unneeded) dump out the powder and try it out... If it does not set off the primer 1st time spin it in the receiver a few times because 22's primer is not spread as thick as some floberts

 

[Dan13]

Ok, the buggered up breech block screws were 10/24 pitch. So after very close examination with a tap and die pitch gauge on the frame threads I think the threads should be 10/32 pitch. I went ahead and retapped it and fit two 10/32 X 3/8" machine screws in place.

Still waiting for any info on firing pin length before I attempt to fire it with my new Flobert 6mm CB cap ammo. Anybody out there who can help me out?

 

[Dan13]

Took the Flobert out to test today with the changes I made and the .22 CB Cap ammo. I have not modified the firing pin yet. Shot great and pretty accurate. Only out to 10 yards to test, but dead on once I figured out the sights. First shot away from the face and in the ground just for safety, then 4 in the target.

I will grind the firing pin down some so the hammer sits more flush when fired.

Fun shooting a 100+ year old rifle!