I am looking to get help identifing information about a CVA flintlock.

[FlyFisherman6]

I have done a bit of research and I am having a lot of trouble finding info about 40-45ish year old CVA's. The rifle is a Connecticut Valley Arms, Inc Black Powder Only .45 Cal. The the barrel is octagonal and the serial number is 078904.

Other indentification features are two barrel wedges and two triggers

Thanks

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Going to need photographs my friend.

LD

 

[FlyFisherman6]

Going to need photographs my friend.

LD

I should have thought of that. I have attached them.

 

[Choctaw]

Mountain Rifle?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Yes a .45 caliber CVA mountain rifle. The duel "spurs" on the trigger guard are one of the distinct features. A .45 is a very nice one to have....the other one to look for is one in .58.
Gosh I hope the bore is good. It will likely be a round ball rifle, so you want to find .440 round ball, and .015 patches.
You WILL need real black powder, as the CVA locks tended to be a bit less sparking than American made locks, and black powder substitutes are notorious for not working well with flinters.

LD

 

[FlyFisherman6]

Thanks guys, I am glad that it was easily recognized. Yes, the rifle is very clean and the bore is beautiful. It was passed down to me and I know it hasn't been shot more than 30 times since being new. I was given round balls and mini balls. I was wondering which should shoot better. I will start shooting round balls with it.

What is real black powder? The powder I received with the gun is probably 30ish years old. It isn't wet and shoots without hesitation. Should I look for something else?

Yes a .45 caliber CVA mountain rifle. The duel "spurs" on the trigger guard are one of the distinct features. A .45 is a very nice one to have....the other one to look for is one in .58.
Gosh I hope the bore is good. It will likely be a round ball rifle, so you want to find .440 round ball, and .015 patches.
You WILL need real black powder, as the CVA locks tended to be a bit less sparking than American made locks, and black powder substitutes are notorious for not working well with flinters.

LD

Thanks guys, I am glad that it was easily recognized. Yes, the rifle is very clean and the bore is beautiful. It was passed down to me and I know it hasn't been shot more than 30 times since being new. I was given round balls and mini balls. I was wondering which should shoot better. I will start shooting round balls with it.

What is real black powder? The powder I received with the gun is probably 30ish years old. It isn't wet and shoots without hesitation. Should I look for something else?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

What is real black powder? The powder I received with the gun is probably 30ish years old. It isn't wet and shoots without hesitation. Should I look for something else?

Well IF it came with powder it's probably black powder. It should say so on the container. You must look and read the label, for IF it says "smokeless" then somebody got confused and you must not use it.

So on the label form Black Powder, you should find a numeral followed by a capital letter "F", and you may see the "F" followed by a "g"....so it will somewhere on the label read 3Fg or 2Fg.....some brands it will be simpler such as FFFg or FFG, and you count the amount of capital "F" letters that you see.

Under NO circumstances use 4FG or FFFFg for the main charge....that granulation powder as far as beginners are concerned is for use only in the lock. Here are some examples:





LD

 

[midland man]

I love the 45c rifles I wished I had that one he has!

 

[PeashooterJoe]

The barrel is rated for ball 1 to 66 twist and made in usa. Also might want to repair the crack in stock as seen in picture. JMO Peashooterjoe

 

[FlyFisherman6]

Thanks everybody!