Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 No, no, do tell about your black powder collection I may prefer WWII for my wargaming, but I've always loved those old guns. Loading is a mission, cleaning is a mission - must be love. Please I don't want to completely hijack the other thread and figured if this was going to go on I should start a new one. I'm a big history and military history buff so have collected some stuff over the years. My Grandfather was a WWII vet, Merrill's Marauders and my Dad's half-brother was a B-25 captain dropping supplies to the French resistance so I've been steeped in it all since I can remember. My Dad was also a history buff with a love for the mountain men and early American trappers as well as the whole Louis and Clark era and journey. He was a buckskinner and I grew up shooting black powder, hanging out in a teepee while we camped in the summer and watching him shoot, craft and throw tomahawks with his buddies. Dad passed away three years ago, miss him dearly, and I now have his stuff as well as mine. That love of history translated, naturally, into wargames, books and then weapon collecting, for me at least. I do Civil War reenacting now and have quite a collection of Black Powder stuff to go along with my WWII stuff. It's these two eras that have the MOST draw for me. So I figured I'd show some of my collection... I'll repost the WWII rifles and legend first... Iver Johnson M1 Carbine .30 caliber carbine. M1 Garand, Springfield Armory, caliber .30-06 Model 1903 Springfield .30-06, serial number dated 1936 re-barrelled and restocked WWII S-stock, November 1944, bayonet is Springfield Armory marked 1942 Auto Ordnance Thompson .45 semi auto Russian Mosin Nagant 91/30 dated 1943 with spike bayonet, caliber 7.62x54R British Lee Enfield No.4 Mk1 with bayonet dated 1942, caliber .303 German Mauser k98, Nazi marked dated 1940, caliber 8mm Mauser (7.92x57mm) Japanese Arisaka Type 38 with bayonet, made in Tokyo between 1935-1940 caliber 6.5mm Japanese 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 And since it was already brought up by the carbine grogs among us, here is the M1 carbine with the correct 15 round mag instead of the 30 round. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Now for the Black Powder, where to begin... These are all modern reproduction, mind you. US Model 1842 Springfield .69 caliber smoothbore US Model 1855 Harpers Ferry .58 caliber rifle US Model 1861 Springfield .58 caliber rifle Austrian Model 1854 Lorenz .58 caliber rifle Here's a closeup of the dummy Maynard tape primer system on the '55 Harpers Ferry rifle The business end of the .58 and .69 caliber. Massive. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Just for fun, here is a picture of me (on the right) and my pards in full gear, we do Western Fed impressions 49th Indiana volunteer infantry, taken at the Nash Farm outside Atlanta by a period camera. The original picture is a tintype. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 US M 1842 and the 1858 2 band Enfield Rifle .58 caliber The Enfield lock, here you can see the nice color-case hardening Cap and ball pistols, my favorite. Colt 1851 Navy .36 caliber and a Colt 1861 Navy .36 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Here's the whole collection of cap and ball revolvers. Starting at the top Colt Walker .44 Colt Dragoon .44 At the left is a Remington 1858 New Model Army .44 in stainless and to the right a Remington Model New Model Navy .36 blued. Left to right under those are... Colt 1851 Navy .36 Colt 1861 Civillian Model Navy .36 Colt 1861 London Model Navy .36 Colt 1860 Army .44 Colt 1860 Army .44 that I took the blue off to make it have that older patined look This is a prized piece inherited from my Dad, this was completely hand made by Danny Powell, one of the old gunsmiths from back in the 60's and 70's. It's a .45 caliber flintlock 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 These three my Dad made himself, they are my most prized. Top is a .36 caliber flintlock squirrel rifle Flintlock .62 caliber smooth rifle circa 1790s My all time favorite and probably one of the most accurate rifles I own and the one he was most proud of, Curly Maple .54 caliber, percussion Hawken rifle with double set triggers. Gorgeous. Finally, .45 caliber poorboy custom flintlock made by (I forget offhand) .40 caliber Hershel House flintlock rifle .75 caliber Indian trade gun flintlock by Blue Jacket Sanders 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Oh, how could I forget this, Sharps breach loading .54 caliber carbine. I cast and load all my ammo. Everything I shoot is hand made by me and my girlfriend. It's quite satisfying knowing every round going down range was hand cast and loaded by us. Here is a .54 ringtail bullet for the Sharps, a .58 Minie Ball next to that, and a comparison of .36 and .44 caliber round balls. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 .58 Minie Ball and .69 round ball comparison. Also a buck and ball load which was one .69 round ball and three .30 buckshot 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 Here's my girl, Basia, aiming the Harpers Ferry Rifle at the actual battlefield at Harpers Ferry! And finally, a little video of her shooting the Richmond Rifle .58. You can really see the heavy impact of those big soft lead minie balls when it hits the dirt. Pretty impressive. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaws Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Its not CMBN related but anyway. Why do I live in the Netherlands.. You have a great selection of weapons. If I would have only one here in the Netherlands I would get arrested :mad:. I like them all but the Thomson is one I dream about:cool:. Thx for sharing:). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baneman Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Awesome, thanks for posting all those. I've always liked the Colt Army for that amazing fluting. My father is also heavily into guns - he started out making rifle stocks as he was good with wood and ended up qualifying as a gunsmith. Unfortunately he only had one replica black powder revolver ( Colt Navy copy ) as well as a flintlock pistol he bought on holiday in Spain. I miss plinking with them, but now I live in the UK, it aint possible 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottie Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 You guys are so lucky , i would love to try some ww2 weapons. Just impossible legislation in the UK keeping enthusiasts away from guns .... I want to live with my brother in Canada 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pešadija Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 That's definitely a bad side of not being American. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmar Bijlsma Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Its not CMBN related but anyway. Why do I live in the Netherlands.. You have a great selection of weapons. If I would have only one here in the Netherlands I would get arrested :mad:. I like them all but the Thomson is one I dream about:cool:. Thx for sharing:). Jaws, I think you'll find the Dutch gun laws not as restrictive as you might think. You can get your hands on pretty much any gun you like. But it will take time and effort to get the required permits. And it's a costly hobby. If you are interested you should make enquiries at a local gunclub. Make sure you pick a club that suits your shooting needs. If you are looking to fire rifles or blackpowder, find a club with the lanes fit for your shooting needs. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaws Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Jaws, I think you'll find the Dutch gun laws not as restrictive as you might think. You can get your hands on pretty much any gun you like. But it will take time and effort to get the required permits. And it's a costly hobby. If you are interested you should make enquiries at a local gunclub. Make sure you pick a club that suits your shooting needs. If you are looking to fire rifles or blackpowder, find a club with the lanes fit for your shooting needs. Thx Elmar Will do some research on this. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyJJ Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 How's your Lee Enfield shoot in terms of accuracy? Any time I've fired off a friends at our nearby range, I've found it to be "inaccurate" to say the least. I am not the best shot (although could manage an FNC1A1 with some really decent accuracy in most conditions) and find my targeting off with the Lee Enfield. Maybe it's his model or is there some history that they wildly vary in accuracy? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 How's your Lee Enfield shoot in terms of accuracy? Any time I've fired off a friends at our nearby range, I've found it to be "inaccurate" to say the least. I am not the best shot (although could manage an FNC1A1 with some really decent accuracy in most conditions) and find my targeting off with the Lee Enfield. Maybe it's his model or is there some history that they wildly vary in accuracy? It's probably just his individually, how old is it? Condition? Barrel condition, is it shot out? Mine is super accurate actually though the peep sight is a bit different and takes some getting used to before becoming proficient with it. One of my buddies actually shoots the Lee Enfield better than any of the other bolt actions I have. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YankeeDog Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Lee Enfields have a very good reputation for accuracy. Of course, when you're talking about a vintage firearm, it all depends on condition. It doesn't matter how accurate the piece was when if first came out of the gun shop if the barrel is shot out. It's also worth noting that there are a lot of so-called "Khyber Pass" knock-off Lee Enfields still out there, built over the decades by gunsmiths in Northern India and Pakistan. In many cases, the gunsmiths would make at least some attempt to counterfeit these pieces to look like authentic Lee Enfields, but a knowledgeable collector and usually easily tell the difference. These pieces vary wildly in quality; some are actually very well made. Others are probably more a danger to the shooter than any target. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyJJ Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 It's probably just his individually, how old is it? Condition? Barrel condition, is it shot out? Mine is super accurate actually though the peep sight is a bit different and takes some getting used to before becoming proficient with it. One of my buddies actually shoots the Lee Enfield better than any of the other bolt actions I have. It's definitely original, early 40s. I'll get the date and production details next time I manage to hook up with him, and have a real good look at the rifle as well. External condition is fine but you're most likely right about the barrel being worn out, or perhaps improperly cleaned over the years. I now this one's changed hands a fair bit and was picked up for a song. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicky Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 Got my RAF Marksman badge with an old Lee-Enfield in the 80s. Still got the bruises to prove it Lee Enfields have a very good reputation for accuracy. Of course, when you're talking about a vintage firearm, it all depends on condition. It doesn't matter how accurate the piece was when if first came out of the gun shop if the barrel is shot out. It's also worth noting that there are a lot of so-called "Khyber Pass" knock-off Lee Enfields still out there, built over the decades by gunsmiths in Northern India and Pakistan. In many cases, the gunsmiths would make at least some attempt to counterfeit these pieces to look like authentic Lee Enfields, but a knowledgeable collector and usually easily tell the difference. These pieces vary wildly in quality; some are actually very well made. Others are probably more a danger to the shooter than any target. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Captain Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 I love the Lee-Enfield. Mine is in excellent condition and shoots great. It has the long range adjustable sight too. Someone took good care of mine before I got it. I got a great deal on it considering the almost perfect condition it's in. Honestly, I think the Lee Enfield is one of the great combat rifles of it's day. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle2 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I don't mind shooting a Lee-Enfield, but I'm not a big fan on the, "cock on closing" system. I much prefer the Mauser, "cock on opening" system better. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waycool Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Amazing collection of firearms. Thanks for the post. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggum Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Great collection ! I would pay to shot all those WW2 weapons... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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