Howdy, all! Didn't know where else to put this, since the Model 2 isn't exactly a 'top break". I found a really nice 1864-vintage Model 2 that I put on layaway. Price was only $725, as it has been refinished and the cylinder number doesn't match the rest of the gun, though it indexes and locks up properly just the same. I'm thinking about using it with some of the re-loadable shells that use .22 acorn blanks for primers. Would this fall into a proper category for an SASS "main match" gun? After all, the barrel is too long to qualify as a "pocket pistol", and it DOES have the .32 caliber minimum size. It's a 6-shooter, so I can load 5 and leave one empty. Be great for "style points", too!
Well aside from using a gun made in the 1860s that has soft metal and would wear fairly fast shooting CAS events, there are a couple of other problems. The guns were chambered in .32 short. You can't get enough BP or any of the subs to make the SASS smoke standard. If you try to load smokeless you will never get to the minimum power factor without risking destroying your gun. Not a practical choice for a main match gun.
If you'd like to use it, I certainly see no problem. I would not run anything but true BP in this old piece.
I have used the .44 and .41 RF adapters in several arms and find they work reasonably well. I do recommend using a just a primed, empty .22 cartridge (rather than a blank) to load these shells. I just pull the bullet (save for the lead pot) and dump the powder. Probably cheaper this way as well.
Regards,
Slim
Quote from: Pettifogger on January 18, 2009, 07:50:50 PM
Well aside from using a gun made in the 1860s that has soft metal and would wear fairly fast shooting CAS events, there are a couple of other problems. The guns were chambered in .32 short. You can't get enough BP or any of the subs to make the SASS smoke standard. If you try to load smokeless you will never get to the minimum power factor without risking destroying your gun. Not a practical choice for a main match gun.
Actually, they were chambered in .32
LONG rim-fire, also known as the "Smith & Wesson #2 cartridge" (the .22 short being known as the "Smith & Wesson #1 cartridge" at that time). And what's this "smoke standard" anyway? It's been a while since I've been to many shoots, and no big ones, so I'm a bit out of the loop...
As for "soft metal", it can't be any worse than the guys I've seen who shoot pre-smokless era SAA's. I shoot a pre-1892 Belgian double-barrel 12-gauge with BP-substitute-loaded brass shells (note: it's NOT Damascus steel!). At least the revolver is a genuine S&W and not a Belgian, Mexican, or Spanish knock-off...
Metallergy changed rapidly from 1840 to 1850 to 1860, etc. A Wnchester 1873 made in 1875 is far different than one made in the 1890's. Same with Colt Single actions, the steel in one made in the 1870's isn't as good as one made in the 1890's.
The smoke standard was established by SASS a few years ago to make sure people shooting in BP categories were shooting real BP loads. The standard basically requires that a BP round has to generate at least as much smoke as that generated by 1cc of Goex Cowboy in order for it to be legal to shoot in a SASS match.
Metallurgy did change rapidly during the Frontier Era, and while not 'soft' in the sense of the screws found in the various clones, it was pretty close - the metal was essentially wrought iron.
This is one of the big problems in shooting an original Merwin, Hulbert, as they had notoriously soft bearing surfaces.
Smith & Wesson didn't 'harden' their frames until 1914, by the way.
If you're going to shoot a period-original 'anything' - understanding original metallurgy and pressures is a very good idea, but I would never recommend that they be shot in anything but a side match, since spare parts are all too often found in other people's guns - and they can be pretty proud of them when they're doing the pricing.
Vaya,
Scouts Out!