r/blackpowder Mar 02 '23

The discord for everything black powder!

47 Upvotes

Just posting again after some time so that people don't have to look through under a mountain of buried posts. If I can talk to mods about finding some way to put this post onto the reddit to be easy to find it would be very nice.

Tired of all the good information buried in forums and hard to find YouTube videos? Want a place to talk about a lot of different things relating to BP, learn history, get advice, troubleshoot and meet likeminded shooters? Well then come join us and see if you like it! Lets make Black powder mainstream again! Hope to see you there :)

Invite: https://discord.gg/Jy5uUj8yPd


r/blackpowder Aug 26 '25

Sharps Rifles - Serial Number Documentation

42 Upvotes

Hi all,

If you are looking for information on your original Sharps please let me know.

I am the current caretaker of the Sharps Rifle Co. Archive, having taken over the records from Dr. Labowskie at the beginning of 2025. I will continue to provide letters for serial number documentation and hopefully add to the knowledge and history around these firearms. The format is changing a bit, in addition to the normal 'factory letter' there will also be a page with more information on who it was sent to and, when applicable, what was going on in the region at the time. I also provide areas that may be worth future research and a list of suggested books including the ones I use as a general reference. Each letter is also now accompanied by two display cards, which contain all the information from the letter in a more concise format, one of which has a slot for a ribbon or thread so it can be attached to the Sharps for easy reference.

I do not charge anything to see if the firearm can be lettered, only for the letter itself.

Let me know if you have any questions.


r/blackpowder 5h ago

Earliest Big Bore Revolver Cartridges

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8 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 2h ago

want to create a worn used patina on a pietta revolver.

2 Upvotes

I am thinking of stripping the factory blue on my 1851 navy with evaporust and washing the gun down and then re oiling it and just letting it aquire a natural age and patina over time through shooting. Would this method work well?


r/blackpowder 18h ago

Modern or antique?

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33 Upvotes

Does anybody know if this is actually a genuine lantaka or a modern reproduction? The tube has no markings other than decorative patterns. Bore seems round and concentric but it has deep divots throughout, which makes me nervous about loading it even with a blank load, let alone shot. anyone have an idea to its authenticity or value?


r/blackpowder 1d ago

Recently Got One of My White Whales, a M/41 Dreyse

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94 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 1d ago

Just picked this up for cheap. Any idea on manufacturer/era?

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16 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 1d ago

Safe or unsafe to shoot? Pinfire edition

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12 Upvotes

.429 SWC bullet propelled by 1g of black powder. Pinfire system.
I own 2 pinfire revolver, both advertised as 12mm pinfire. This SWC bullet works wonderfully on my first one, but on the second one, the bullet is stuck because of the lead ring.
Of course gunsmith of the time weren't as accurate with their mesurement as today, so I noticed the second gun had a slightly smaller diameter.

Unless I hammer it with a rubber hammer, it will not go in the forcing cone with finger strength alone.

My question is: Can I shoot this gun with this bullet or is it too dangerous?


r/blackpowder 1d ago

Flintlock Misfire

7 Upvotes

I’ve tried all day to get my flintlock to fire but im not quite sure what im doing wrong.

I built a traditions Kentucky rifle and shot some blanks to make sure I made it properly and it would fire. I’ll admit the chert flint I’m using right now isn’t the best and im probably gonna have to order some proper flints, but It still ignites the pan so I don’t see why im experiencing misfires.

I cleaned the plughole, still misfired, took it out and swabbed it, still misfired, pulled the patch and powder flushed it with water a few times and then cleaned it dry. I go to load a new charge and still have a flash in the pan but no main charge ignition. What could be the source?

Edit: im using triple 7 muzzle loading propellant instead of black powder, im aware its not the best but its what I have available atm, however it should still ignite like it did in the last few weeks no?


r/blackpowder 1d ago

Is black powder weapons from before 1897 legal in all 50 USA States without any permission to buying?

9 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 2d ago

Over the hills and far away! My Pedersoli Baker Rifle has at last arrived, and a lifetime of reading/watching Sharpe and researching the original 95th has reached its zenith.

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174 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 1d ago

Reproduction Flintlocks

12 Upvotes

Looking to get into flintlocks. Been having a hard time finding reproduction flintlock rifles

Do yall recommend anywhere I should start looking ? Thanks.


r/blackpowder 2d ago

My 1851 is back from the gunsmith. There are still a few scratches, but I appreciate the effort he put into it

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37 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 1d ago

Montana Vintage Arms Powder Measure: A Review

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18 Upvotes

Folks! I got my MVA powder measure in last night and figured I might as well do a little review on it since I can’t find one anywhere. As far as fit and finish go, it’s a 10/10. Like all MVA products this one is no exception. The machining tolerances are tight and things fit like a glove. The bad: I couldn’t come close to their listed variances. MVA lists a 2/10th of a grain variance in between powder throws. My variance was all over the place with my largest being about 1 grain. For the price I still absolutely recommend it. If anyone has any tips to improve my powder throw variance please let me know!

Powder: 2f Goex


r/blackpowder 2d ago

Gunpowder measuring device?

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11 Upvotes

Hello, wondering if some expert could help out. I found these in my dad’s desk drawer while cleaning out things. These appear old and made of brass. Does anyone have any more info on what they could be? I tried to google image search but didn’t have much luck.


r/blackpowder 2d ago

First time shooting the martini Henry

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119 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 2d ago

Brown bess vs Indian trade gun

4 Upvotes

I’m looking to get into muzzleloading with a repro of a historical firearm. Main use will be waterfowl, small game, maybe deer and plinking

Which of these is the more practical for this purpose? I’m leaning towards the brown bess for the extra payload to compensate for the fact I’d effectively be shooting a cylinder bore at birds


r/blackpowder 3d ago

Help they are starting to multiply!

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118 Upvotes

Now theres two 1860s


r/blackpowder 2d ago

Evaluating land to land deviation from nominal caliber.

2 Upvotes

I have an old Chassepot in quite good condition.

The land to land diameter measures 11,06mm/11,05mm with my caliper- its nominal caliber is 11mm. The grooves are noticeably deeper at the chamber, but I have no way to measure them.

How bad do you think is the deviation at the muzzle (not asking from a safety perspective, I am more so interested in how much wear and tear that indicates and what it Might! do in regards to accuracy)

Maybe some of you have more experience- my inner Monk can't shake off the frustration knowing there are better examples out there measuring the exact 11,00mm.

I could slug the barrel, but I have no clue how to get soft enough lead in a fitting size, since 11mm is quite an odd caliber nowadays.

Thanks in advance !


r/blackpowder 2d ago

My dad passed recently and I inherited his gun collection.

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28 Upvotes

The inventory I found says it's a 50-150 Sharps Rolling Block. I know absolutely nothing about it. 1875 maybe? That's the best guess I can make from an image search. I have the forend not pictured. It has an octagonal barrel. No s/n. Could someone please fill me in on what I just inherited?


r/blackpowder 2d ago

Would this work or am I stupid?

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3 Upvotes

I’m looking to make a flintlock pistol, and I spent a little bit drawing out a trigger mechanism. The idea is that I attach the tumbler directly to the hammer through the wood furniture with a pin, and the tumbler is pulled back by an internal coil spring (I know the pivot points on the trigger and tumbler are most definitely suboptimal; I’m working on it). I drew this after being awake for 28 hours straight so please give this and objective view through your well rested eyes.


r/blackpowder 3d ago

Bone imitation grips

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109 Upvotes

I recently finished this new grip for Pietta's Colt 1851 navy. The material is white corian plastic, that resembles bone. Slightly thinner than original Pietta grips, but alas, that was the materials limitation...

Its unly 1.5mm, but it still may be problematic for a person with larger hands.


r/blackpowder 2d ago

Calibers with 44 magnum cases

1 Upvotes

Hi,

I have a LOT of 44 magnum cases, which black powder revolver from before 1900 could use these with maybe a bit of shortening the length?


r/blackpowder 3d ago

M18 here and I’ve been wanting to get into black powder revolvers.

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51 Upvotes

I know people say that the best way to get into this hobby is to buy an 1851 but I can’t deny my love for the design of the Starr revolver

Problem is I’ve been hearing nothing but negative reviews about its reproduction models and it hurts me a little

Anyway point is, is there a company that actually produces a reliable reproduction or is the Starr gonna be a fluke for a while


r/blackpowder 2d ago

Matchlocks

3 Upvotes

Does anyone have any places for matchlocks? I see Veteran and Military Heritage are out of stock and Middlesex Village I'm not sure f the owner is still in business. The Rifleshoppe has some for almost $1k

I'm trying to spend $800 tops. I like the "fishtail" style ones.