Trying to fix a very old muzzloader

[johndeeere1979]

i have a jh Johnson Great Western Gun Works from Pittsburgh Pa and i am trying to get in in working order.

First the hammer does not stay back and took it apart and the sear spring is broke is there any where i can get this part or will it have to be made.

second the tang on the ( i thing is is called the barrel plug) is broke. i think it can be welded.

Third the stock is a little cracked and i don't know if it can be repaired or not but need to fix the other things before i worry about that.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Dixie Gun Works, Union City, Tennessee is one of the best places to find Black Powder parts, etc. Good Luck!

 

[Cosmoline]

Do you have any pics of the tang crack and stock break?

The stock should be fixable, though how hard depends on several factors. I've had good luck with Gorila glue, but it WILL leave a visible stain so if your crack is on the outside that's a point of concern.

 

[johndeeere1979]

are the barrel plugs removable

 

[tkendrick]

Go over to muzzleloadingforum.com and post this question on the gun builders blog. There are some VERY GOOD guys over there, and they'll know.

 

[Jim K]

FIRST! MAKE SURE THE OLD GUN IS NOT LOADED!!!!!!

It is very common for old muzzle loading shotguns to be found loaded, and sometimes they go off, causing injury or death either from the shot charge or by the old rusted barrels blowing up.

The tang can be welded or brazed, and the sear spring should be no problem to either have made or find. If there are gun shows in your area, look for the parts folks (usually at least one at the larger shows), otherwise get a Dixie catalog and write with measurements you need. (Make the measurements oversize - you can take off metal to fit, it not easy to put on.)

I wouldn't even try to remove the breech plug; they are usually in so tight that you will break or bend it if you try to turn it.

Now, one more piece of advice. Get it in "working" order if you want, but DO NOT fire it and try to mark it in some way that no one else will. Those old guns may have been pretty good at the time (GW was a wholsale house, the Brownells of its day) but time has almost always taken a toll and made them questionable, if not downright dangerous.

Jim

 

[Cosmoline]

Ditto that Mr. Keenan. I remember playing with an old caplock pistol as a kid and discovering much later the thing still had a charge and ball in it from some previous owner. Almost won an early Darwin with that thing.