First BP revolver and a few questions

[Roinex]

Hello all,

The lady and I were out around town today and dropped in a local gunstore to look around. We had been wanting to get into black powder shooting for a while now and today we decided to just put the money down on one. The barrel is marked Navy Arms Co. Ridgefield NJ, made in Italy, and Black powder only, 44 cal. I think it is a Remington Navy, but I am not sure and any help identifying is very much appreciated.

The other question is when it comes to loading. Are wads necessary to use after the powder when shooting any kind of black powder, and are patched balls what should be used in a gun like this?

Thank you all.

 

[Rudedog]

Don't use patches with a cap and ball revolver.
The wad is used on top of the powder and under the ball to prevent "chain fire", which is simultaneous firing of multiple chambers. If you don't use a wad the use a grease such as Crisco or Vaseline on top of the ball to prevent chain fire.
Your gun looks like a Remington replica, if it is a .44 then it is the Army model of 1858.
Try .451 round ball of pure lead and #11 caps. Your gun store should have black powder supplies. Oh you'll need powder flask with a 20 or 22 grain spout and 3f black powder, have fun.

 

[Chawbaccer]

On the Black Powder home page, there is a post at the top called "Blackpowder Essentials". It has a couple links to using a revolver.

 

[Roinex]

Thank you very much, both of you. I did not see the sticky at the top, I will read up on things there.

 

[BADUNAME30]

Welcome to the 'Dark side' Roinex.

 

[Pancho]

Roinex, I have a question about your gun for the forum. Is it a blued gun that someone has stripped the blueing from the frame and cylinder or is it a stainless frame and cylinder with a blued steel barrel and loading lever?

 

[AlexanderA]

It looks like it's in great condition except for the bluing wear on the barrel and loading lever. If it was my gun I would strip the bluing off those parts (Naval Jelly will strip off the bluing almost instantly). That would make it look a lot better. (Make sure to keep it well oiled afterward.)

 

[rodwha]

I was curious about that too Pancho. Looks like blued stuff on a stainless frame.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

looks like Pietta grips, and the frame looks to be in the white to me.

 

[unknwn]

I'd investigate the needed ball size closely before buying supplies and loading/firing the gun .
All of my 1858 .44 caliber revolvers use .454" balls.
Not to say that it couldn't need .451" balls, but loose balls lead to problems that can be dangerous.
While the balls that are a few thousandths larger would be a bit tougher to ram into an undersize hole, they will go in and will definately seal the chamber.
But if the gun does need the larger ball and you end up using the smaller ones, it could result in a tied-up cylinder -or- possibley even a chain fire.
Either one of those is desperately NOT something that you want to deal with.

 

[Roinex]

As far as I can tell, it looks like a stainless with bluing on the barrel, loading lever, and hammer. I may get around to stripping the bluing off, depends on what the lady thinks as well. It's already more her gun then mine and it hasn't even been used yet. Never done it before, but I like to learn how to do things myself if I can.
Will look more into the needed ball size. Is it generally safer to use a larger ball then necessary if unsure about the exact size needed?

 

[Skinny 1950]

Looks like a mixmaster..stainless frame and cylinder...steel barrel.
A magnet could settle the debate.