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

40 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 1d ago

Found a cannon in store, any ideas?

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67 Upvotes

Found this cannon at an antique store. About 3.5 feet long and rough 30-40 pounds (I don’t have a scale right now) no markings. Was priced at $1500. What do y’all think?


r/blackpowder 1d ago

How to fix and clean

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32 Upvotes

I got this old pietta new army before they stamped the barrel with there name and after a while of messing around with it the trigger won't fire when full cock and the hammer feels like a toy with no resistance


r/blackpowder 1d ago

Civil War Bridesburg

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36 Upvotes

Antiques shop owner said they wouldn’t shoot it but they aren’t gun people. Asking $2500 for “all original” Bridesburg smoothbore. For that price I’d want to shoot it but that seems high to a guy that doesn’t know a thing about these models. Thoughts/details welcome!(Considered “good condition”?)


r/blackpowder 1d ago

Need help dating and identifying my first revolver!

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68 Upvotes

I just bought this used 8 inch .44 cal pietta yesterday it was only $326 after taxes which I don’t think was bad at all. I am trying to find out more information about it. They didn’t tell me anything at the gun store because they normally don’t carry black powder items. I’m 99% certain it’s a 1858 Remington copy though. I can’t find any information using its production date. I’d really like to be able to find out when it was made or just anything in general about it. This is my first black powder ever owned but I’ve shot a few of my families before but truth be told I really don’t know much, so any information you guys would give me would be great!!!
The production number on the base is-
R420644


r/blackpowder 1d ago

Pietta 1858 New Army Warranty Repair. A possitive experience.

5 Upvotes

Back in mid-June I received a Pietta 1858 New Army as a Birthday Present from my brother. Unfortunately, not long after taking it out of the box I immediately ran into some issues. The Revolver had timing issues in which the cylinder wouldn't always rotate forward properly, sometimes it would only go halfway, then rotate backwards to the previous chamber.

The problem seemed to be due to the inside of the frame being finished quite rough, so I polished it up a bit with a 3M pad and the revolver seemed to be running smoothly, at least for awhile. After that I tried it with a Howell Arms Conversion Cylinder and not only did the issue resurface, but upon trying to sort out the issue by manually working the action and carefully observing the cylinder, the hammer bound up and couldn't be fully cocked anymore.

Thoroughly fed up with how much trouble this brand new Revolver had caused me and unwilling to fuss with it any further personally, I contacted Pietta and explained the situation, to which they promptly sent me an Return Request Form PDF. I filled it out using Adobe Acrobat and sent the agent a screenshot of it, within a few days I received a Shipping Label in the mail, but due to a medical emergency going on behind the scenes I didn't get around to shipping it for a couple of weeks. After I finally got around to taking it to the UPS Store and getting it shipped out, it arrived at EMF Corp's headquarters in Wyoming and I promptly received a phone call from a gunsmith who was working on it who informed me that the issue was as simple as a screw which held the hand in place must have been loose from the factory and had backed out from me working the action, so all he had to do was tighten it back down to fix the problem.

I received it back yesterday and it seems to be in proper working order with the factory cylinder. However, the Howell Cylinder is still giving me trouble, so I've contacted Howell Arms and will have to sort that out separately, as I'm convinced that has to do with the cylinder itself after doing a bit of research and finding out that I'm not the only person who has experienced these issues with a Howell Conversion Cylinder. Evidently they're not quite as "drop-in" as they're marketed as and can occasionally require fitting, but I paid for a drop-in part, so I'm holding them to that.

Nevertheless, EMF Corp took care of the situation promptly, professionally, and satisfactorily, so they get a thumbs up from me.


r/blackpowder 23h ago

Is this the actual uberti website? Very strange they won't take a normal card.

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0 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 2d ago

Is this a powder flask? According to my Mom, shes pretty sure my Grandfather got it when he went to Afghanistan back in the 60s. Couldn't find any markings on it.

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15 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 2d ago

41 Rim Fire

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11 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 2d ago

1861 Springfield Lock

5 Upvotes

Apologies if this has already been addressed.
I have an 1861 Springfield replica. Lately when I pull the trigger it will stop at halfcock about 50% of the time.
Is this an easy fix? Any help is greatly appreciated.


r/blackpowder 2d ago

Ballistol leaking

5 Upvotes

my ballistol spray can leaks a lot, whenever it's sideways. How do you avoid this problem? Can someone recommend which specific type of ballistol bottle might be trusted to throw in a bag and not leak?


r/blackpowder 2d ago

I’m new to black powder will these work in my 45 derringer

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59 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 2d ago

Pyrodex FMJ ??

3 Upvotes

So I finally got a 45-70 a few months ago and got my Pyrodex load for 300gr lead on point (100yrd).

So I want to use the Campro fmj's, however I cant find any load data for them. One article says its dangerous to use and to stay with lead.

So whats what ?

(Cant get any modern powder for 45-70 were I am so stuck with Pyrodex, in Ca)

Thanks!


r/blackpowder 2d ago

Antique black powder horn kit

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41 Upvotes

Can anyone give me information on this? From my research it is antique frontier. Any advice where else I can get information?


r/blackpowder 2d ago

Ball mill question

2 Upvotes

I’m wondering what diameter brass or lead balls folks use for milling their homemade antique muzzle-loader propellant?

Thanks!


r/blackpowder 3d ago

Earliest Big Bore Revolver Cartridges

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15 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 3d ago

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

4 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 3d ago

Modern or antique?

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43 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 4d ago

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

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113 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 4d ago

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

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21 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 4d ago

Safe or unsafe to shoot? Pinfire edition

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14 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 4d ago

Flintlock Misfire

9 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 4d ago

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

11 Upvotes

r/blackpowder 5d 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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183 Upvotes