Harper's Ferry model 1816 Flintlock

Catfish

Catfish

straight-up ninja'n
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is my latest new toy and I suppose it's technically a Milsurp, right?

This is, the best I can tell, an Original Harpers Ferry Model 1816 flintlock smoothbore musket, .69 caliber, lockplate 1821. I found some BP in stock last week and I'm ordering flints and balls today - hope to give the old girl a real 200th Birthday party soon!
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Definitely - after what I found in the barrel I may not shoot it, or maybe just with minimum charges only... I have to see how bad it is. I bought this on GB and had it shipped via USPS. Turns out the seller boxed it up with a charge in it! After about a hour of cussing and poking I managed to get this mess out of the chamber. Looks like a re-enactors charge of paper-wrapped powder and wax. Must have been in there for years and smelled like a sewer when I started scrubbing. ugh!

A fair amount (~5%) of this was magnetic so that's not a good sign.

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And if I am not mistaken, that's smokeless powder. Is that common for re-enactors?
 
Ugh! Sure that wasn't mud daubers? Or someone's ancient paraquat-weed stash?

Catfish said:
And if I am not mistaken, that's smokeless powder. Is that common for re-enactors?
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No. BP substitutes, maybe. In general, smokeless in MLs is asking for trouble.

But I'm an enactor, not a re-enactor, so ... grains of salt and all that.
 
Okay so... I spent the better part of 3 hours scrubbing the old sewer pipe this thing has for barrel and finally got it "cleaned" up more or less. I still can't get a patch to come out smoothly- it snags at the bottom and I have to muscle it out, every time.
Amazon delivered a cheap chinese bore scope today and I had a peek. Here's what I found at the bottom:

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The black areas are bare steel, I'm sure there's no residual BP fouling because of how I scrubbed it. There's major pitting and erosion, and I probly shouldn't even try to shoot this thing, even with light loads.

Does anyone know anywhere to source a replica barrel? I checked TOTW and they don't list one. It's 69 cal, smooth bore, 42"
@Dave951
 
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Catfish said:
Okay so... I spent the better part of 3 hours scrubbing the old sewer pipe this thing has for barrel and finally got it "cleaned" up more or less. I still can't get a patch to come out smoothly- it snags at the bottom and I have to muscle it out, every time.
Amazon delivered a cheap chinese bore scope today and I had a peek. Here's what I found at the bottom:

View attachment 421837

The black areas are bare steel, I'm sure there's no residual BP fouling because of how I scrubbed it. There's major pitting and erosion, and I probly shouldn't even try to shoot this thing, even with light loads.

Does anyone know anywhere to source a replica barrel? I checked TOTW and they don't list one. It's 69 cal, smooth bore, 42"
@Dave951
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☹️
 
I'd check with Bobby Hoyt before replacing the barrel. He might be able to reline it and get it shootable.
 
I vote for a replacement barrel. Then your relic is intact and original, but you can choot it safely. Not too difficult to swap, and you won't wear out the lock or mess up the wood just from chootin' it.

If TOTW has none... mebbe Pecatonicka Long Rifle Supply?
 
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I’ll look at all options. Thanks!
 
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