Found a boot pistol...

[oddballaffliction]

Hi all! I was working on trying to salvage an old log corn crib I have on my land, and didn't this pop out of the ground from underneath it while I was raking! The old house next to it is on an 1863 confederate engineers map. I have a few dug civil war revolvers in my collection already. I just never thought I would find one myself! To me the speculation of why it was lost (or buried in this case) is more interesting than one in pristine condition. Will have to get back under there with the metal detector and see what else comes up!

 

[Ed Zeppelin]

Hi all! I was working on trying to salvage an old log corn crib I have on my land, and didn't this pop out of the ground from underneath it while I was raking! The old house next to it is on an 1863 confederate engineers map. I have a few dug civil war revolvers in my collection already. I just never thought I would find one myself! To me the speculation of why it was lost (or buried in this case) is more interesting than one in pristine condition. Will have to get back under there with the metal detector and see what else comes up!

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A little naval jelly and a good scrub brush should clean that right up.



Sent from my Commodore 64 running Windows 95

 

[UCVRelics]

Nice find. Look forward to seeing it cleaned up. Thanks

 

[Joe Whitworth]

A little naval jelly and a good scrub brush should clean that right up.



Sent from my Commodore 64 running Windows 95

Hi all! I was working on trying to salvage an old log corn crib I have on my land, and didn't this pop out of the ground from underneath it while I was raking! The old house next to it is on an 1863 confederate engineers map. I have a few dug civil war revolvers in my collection already. I just never thought I would find one myself! To me the speculation of why it was lost (or buried in this case) is more interesting than one in pristine condition. Will have to get back under there with the metal detector and see what else comes up!

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I'd take it to a competent gunsmith before attempting to shoot it. Just kidding, nice find and the other pistol looks like a sweet example.

 

[DixieRifles]

Hi all! I was working on trying to salvage an old log corn crib I have on my land, and didn't this pop out of the ground from underneath it while I was raking! The old house next to it is on an 1863 confederate engineers map. I have a few dug civil war revolvers in my collection already. I just never thought I would find one myself! To me the speculation of why it was lost (or buried in this case) is more interesting than one in pristine condition. Will have to get back under there with the metal detector and see what else comes up!

Hey! Where did you get that other boot pistol on the Right in your photo? I have one like that and I think I have found only 2 other examples like it.
My pistol is unique in that it has the same frame and grip but the barrel is Hexagonal and tapered.

I have several questions about the clean one:

Q1: Does it have serial numbers under the barrel and frame, where they join?
Have you removed the wood grips to see if they are also serialized?

Q2: I can't actually see a seam where the barrel attaches to the Frame. I suppose there is a seam and might be visible from another view or different lighting.

Q3: Even though the wood handle is missing as well as the main spring, I can see a stud at the bottom inside of the grip frame where the main spring would rest.

Q4: What caliber is it?

My research has discovered this pistol was likely made by local gunsmiths using a blue-print they bought. So it could have been made in New Hampshire or anywhere in the South. Each gunsmith may have added his own feature and selection of caliber.
Yes--- I did shoot my original boot pistol. I made some rough engineering calculations and my pistol has a lot of extra meat at the breech where the pressure would be greatest. I only loaded it with 10 grains and it still penetrated a full gallon milk jug through and through.

 

[oddballaffliction]

Hi Dixie, the boot pistol came in an estate auction lot in north Carolina. It was with a Manhattan revolver that was found in Antietam creek, and this just happened to be in there. They definitely have a lot of similarities. It does have a serial number in front of the trigger (735). Inside of the grip plates is bare. Yours appears to have a separate barrel that is screwed on. Mine is one piece with the frame as far as I can tell. I don't have my micrometers with me, but my eyecrometers say it is most likely .41 caliber. You are braver than I am. I don't think I would use mine!

 

[DixieRifles]

Hi Dixie, the boot pistol came in an estate auction lot in north Carolina. It was with a Manhattan revolver that was found in Antietam creek, and this just happened to be in there. They definitely have a lot of similarities. It does have a serial number in front of the trigger (735). Inside of the grip plates is bare. Yours appears to have a separate barrel that is screwed on. Mine is one piece with the frame as far as I can tell. I don't have my micrometers with me, but my eyecrometers say it is most likely .41 caliber. You are braver than I am. I don't think I would use mine!

Thanks. Its really interested to see that pistol. I tried to compare every inch of your pistol with mine. The Hammers arent a perfect match. The Nipple are different but one could have been replaced. Of course a different gunsmith may have chosen different hardware.
Knowing how they formed barrels, I would bet your barrel was made separately and screwed in the frame. They could have filled it smooth or even used a welding or forging to hide the seam. Some think my pistol is a "screw barrel" pistol but it is not. I've bore scoped my barrel and am convinced even more.

The only other example that I've seen is on display at Parkers Crossroads Battlefield (Tenn) interpretive center. It is a dug relic and rusty like your find, except it has the main spring. This one has a short, round barrel and they claim it is .22 caliber but I dont see that.

So do you own the one in good condition?

My pistol in a display frame.

 

[oddballaffliction]

Very nice display! The seam between the barrel and frame could very well be hiding. Bore scope is a a great idea. I have a few others I could do as well. I'm amazed at how cheap those have gotten. Yes, the non dug example is also in my collection, but I could probably be talked out of it!

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

The pistol is interesting, but that log building is really great!

 

[scooter748driver]

Thanks. Its really interested to see that pistol. I tried to compare every inch of your pistol with mine. The Hammers arent a perfect match. The Nipple are different but one could have been replaced. Of course a different gunsmith may have chosen different hardware.
Knowing how they formed barrels, I would bet your barrel was made separately and screwed in the frame. They could have filled it smooth or even used a welding or forging to hide the seam. Some think my pistol is a "screw barrel" pistol but it is not. I've bore scoped my barrel and am convinced even more.

The only other example that I've seen is on display at Parkers Crossroads Battlefield (Tenn) interpretive center. It is a dug relic and rusty like your find, except it has the main spring. This one has a short, round barrel and they claim it is .22 caliber but I dont see that.

So do you own the one in good condition?

My pistol in a display frame.
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Not to drift or derail this thread, but could you post a picture of the entire display please? Very interested. Thanks!

 

[DixieRifles]

Not to drift or derail this thread, but could you post a picture of the entire display please? Very interested. Thanks!

Not a problem as this pistol is the subject of this thread.

I found a frame that looked like old barn wood and added a background of what I think a covered poker table looked like.
I googled and printed up period money and cards, which I had to do some editing to get them spread out in a hand. Also, I was missing one of the 8's so I copied duplicated the 8 that I had and added a Club from one of the aces.
I didn't use any wires or hooks to hang the pistol. Instead, I mounted a single dowel and covered it with the green felt. The Hammer grips this dowel(look real close). Just cock the hammer and remove the pistol. (That dowel or the felt has come loose now so it can rotate a little.)
Since this photo was taken, my buddy sent me a replica gold piece. I taped a hook on the back and hung it off the felt.

 

[Paul Yancey]

Nice display. Like the use of Dead Man's hand.

 

[DixieRifles]

@oddballaffliction

Compare this dug relic to the one you found under your cabin.
This is on display at the Parkers Crossroads Battlefield Interpretive Center. I thought it had a main spring but it doesn't.

This doesn't look .22 caliber to me. Notice it has a tapered round barrel and the bore is off-center.
It is also missing the Spur Trigger.

 

[scooter748driver]

Not a problem as this pistol is the subject of this thread.

I found a frame that looked like old barn wood and added a background of what I think a covered poker table looked like.
I googled and printed up period money and cards, which I had to do some editing to get them spread out in a hand. Also, I was missing one of the 8's so I copied duplicated the 8 that I had and added a Club from one of the aces.
I didn't use any wires or hooks to hang the pistol. Instead, I mounted a single dowel and covered it with the green felt. The Hammer grips this dowel(look real close). Just cock the hammer and remove the pistol. (That dowel or the felt has come loose now so it can rotate a little.)
Since this photo was taken, my buddy sent me a replica gold piece. I taped a hook on the back and hung it off the felt.

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That's great! Love it! Thanks for sharing it

 

[oddballaffliction]

Those dug ones on display look extremely similar to my non dug one. Thanks for sharing! Definitely not .22 cal! The one I found under the log building looks like it is probably either an Allen & thurber, or a Bacon. At least to my eye.

 

[rcarpenter69]

Hi Dixie, the boot pistol came in an estate auction lot in north Carolina. It was with a Manhattan revolver that was found in Antietam creek, and this just happened to be in there. They definitely have a lot of similarities. It does have a serial number in front of the trigger (735). Inside of the grip plates is bare. Yours appears to have a separate barrel that is screwed on. Mine is one piece with the frame as far as I can tell. I don't have my micrometers with me, but my eyecrometers say it is most likely .41 caliber. You are braver than I am. I don't think I would use mine!

Mine sounds exact to yours. No SN on grips. 73 or 78 in front of trigger. Non threaded barrel. 6" overall. 3.1" muzzle to nipple. My barrel measures .300"

 

[7thWisconsin]

That is so awesome! Best I ever found in my yard were old gaslight fixtures!