Handguns My 1858

Marmite

Cadet
Joined
Mar 28, 2021
Hello

I recently acquired this revolver.Serial 291xx
In .44 caliber.The mechanism is tight and crisp.

It had not been fired in a very long time,the bore was caked in dust and the nipples frozen in place. The muzzle was in terrible condition with the crown corroded and peened in.

I gave the muzzle a few strokes with a flat file.I cleaned the bore,then honed it with a cast slug coated in valve grinding paste.

Unfortunately the nipples I bought are a bit small for #11 caps.So I will have to buy some more.

20210328_172031.jpg


20210328_172023.jpg
 
I really do like Marmite. The stuff from New Zealand is probably the best.

I have heard that a .462" ball suits these old guns best?

What does everyone think?
I can't say as I just collect them and would never shot one.
 
Google "Marmite"
Warning : It tastes a lot worse than it sounds.

Oh, yes, the accidental creation from the laboratory of a German scientist, made from a yeast byproduct - sounds like the start of a story that begins "It was a dark and stormy night....."
That said, let me congratulate our poster on his acquisition of one of the classic revolvers of the War, the Remington Army .44 caliber percussion revolver.
 
I really do like Marmite. The stuff from New Zealand is probably the best.

I have heard that a .462" ball suits these old guns best?

What does everyone think?
I don't remember the size of the ball I used in mine (reproduction pistol), but as long as it shaves some lead from the ball's diameter when you load it; it doesn't need to be any bigger than that.
 
I can't say as I just collect them and would never shot one.
Whoa ain't that true. I would never fire these old guns unless your ok with mauling your hand or face. Ain't worth the risk. Done both Rev War and CW reenacting and saw a repo Brown Bess Musket flame up at the flash pan and the Lock blown out. Sent a nice flame upward. Guy was not seriously hurt but face bright red and facial hair singed. Luck him and that was a repo. I've heard other horror stories of firing old guns. Better they sit on a Wall.
 
Oh yeah, that’s a nice Remington, it’d be a shame not to shoot it.
You first but make sure your Insurance Company will cover you for loss of a hand from firing old guns. Check with Lloyd's of London since your over there to see if they will cover you.
 
I’m generally not an advocate of shooting original pieces but...If you should decide to shoot it, have it inspected first by a good gunsmith and use real black powder only. No pyrodex, no 777 and certainly no smokeless. Slug the barrel - you may have to try a couple different sized balls to find the “right” one for your piece. Make sure you get a good lead ring when loading to prevent chain fires and proper sized caps as you note for the new nipples as you can get chain fires there from ill fitting caps. Use a lighter load than originally prescribed, again real black powder only, and enjoy.
 
Back
Top