Manual / Guide
Pietta's English instruction manual for its percussion revolvers, including the LeMat model: loading charges and ball sizes, the shot barrel, safety, disassembly and cleaning.
[email protected] ® F.LLI PIETTA ed.10/2015 HISTORICAL WEAPONS REPRODUCTION Instruction and Safety Manual for Black Powder Muzzleloading Revolvers and Carbines READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY BEFORE HANDLING, LOADING OR SHOOTING THIS FIREARM !! 58 ALWAYS STATE TYPE AND CALIBER OF GUN WHEN ORDERING SPARE PARTS. 28 SIDEPLATE SCREW 23 TRIGGER SPRING PIN 14 BARREL BAND SCREW REAR SIGHT PIN 9 22 NIPPLE CLEANOUT SCREW 27 HAMMER SCREW REAR SIGHT PLATE 8 21 NIPPLE 13 BARREL BAND REAR SIGHT ELEVATOR 7 20 ACTION TO BARREL HINGE SCREW 26 HAMMER REAR SIGHT BASE 6 19 BREECH PLUG 12 FRONT BAND PIN REAR SIGHT SPRING 5 18 FOREND SCREW 25 TUMBLER REAR SIGHT SCREW 4 17 FOREND WASHER 11 TOP STRAP BARREL 3 16 FOREND 42 BUTTPLATE SCREW 41 STOCK 40 MAINSPRING SCREW 39 MAINSPRING 38 STIRRUP 37 TRIGGERGUARD SCREW 36 REAR TRIGGERGUARD SCREW 35 TRIGGERGUARD 34 TRIGGER 33 FRONT TRIGGERGUARD SCREW 32 SPRING ACTION LOCK ACTUATOR 31 TRIGGER SCREW 30 FRAME 29 RECEIVER SIDE PLATE ENGLISH 54 SPRING ACTION LOCK ACTUATOR SCREW 52 FRAME BAND RING 51 FRAME/STOCK PIN 50 FRAME/PLATE PIN 49 SADDLE RING RETAINER SCREW 48 SADDLE RING RETAINER 47 SADDLE RING 46 REARSIGHT PLATE PIN 45 BUTTPLATE 44 BUTT SWIVEL BASE 43 LONG BUTTSTOCK SCREW 9:49 24 TRIGGER SPRING FRONT SIGHT BASE 2 15 SWIVEL 14-12-2012 10 TOP STRAP SCREW FRONT SIGHT BLADE 1 SMITH CARBINE .50 cal. PIETTA MAN AVAN-INGL 06-12-12 Pagina 59 SMITH CARBINE SM C AR BLACK POWDER MUZZLELOADING REVOLVERS AND CARBINES INDEX THIS MANUAL CONTAINS 4 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS 6 SAFETY PROCEDURES 11 LOADING 16 HANDLING 26 DECOCKING (UNCOCKING) 27 CARE AND CLEANING 29 STORAGE 32 LEAD EXPOSURE 33 STATE WARNINGS 34 NOMENCLATURES 37 3 THIS MANUAL CONTAINS: Important warnings which should be read and understood before using this firearm. Directions and procedures for handling, loading, firing and unloading. Instructions for care and cleaning. This instruction and safety manual is designed to help you in learning how to properly use and care for your F.lli Pietta firearm. Only when you are certain you have fully familiarized yourself with the function of your firearm should you practice loading, unloading and firing. This instruction manual should always accompany this firearm, and be transferred with it upon change of ownership. 4 WARNING: DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY F.LLI PIETTA SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PRODUCT MALFUNCTIONING OR FOR PHYSICAL INJURY, DEATH OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY RESULTING FROM EITHER INTENTIONAL OR ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE OF THIS FIREARM, ITS CRIMINAL OR NEGLIGENT USE, IMPROPER OR CARELESS HANDLING, UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS OR ALTERATION, USE OF DEFECTIVE OR IMPROPER CHARGES, OR FROM ITS USE FOR PURPOSES OR SUBJECTION TO TREATMENT FOR WHICH IT WAS NOT DESIGNED. CAUTION: PRIOR TO REMOVING THIS GUN FROM ITS PACKAGING, AND PRIOR TO LOADING AND FIRING, CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY READ THE ENTIRE INSTRUCTION MANUAL WHICH GIVES ADVICE ON THE GUN’S PROPER HANDLING AND FUNCTIONING. HOWEVER YOUR SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHERS (INCLUDING YOUR FAMILY) DEPENDS ON YOUR RESPONSIBLE COMPLIANCE WITH THAT ADVICE. IF UNFAMILIAR WITH FIREARMS, SEEK SUPERVISED INSTRUCTIONS. FIREARMS SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. WARNING: A FULLY LOADED UNCOCKED GUN, CAN FIRE ! WHEN THE HAMMER IS UNCOCKED, IT IS RESTING DIRECTLY ON A PERCUSSION CAP WHEN FULLY LOADED. A BLOW TO THE HAMMER RESULTING FROM A FALL/DROPPING OF THE GUN CAN CAUSE THE GUN TO DISCHARGE. TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGES CAUSED BY A BLOW TO THE HAMMER: ALWAYS CARRY ALL REVOLVERS WITH THE HAMMER DOWN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER, ALWAYS CARRY ALL MUZZLELOADING SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUNS OR BREECHLOADING PERCUSSION CARBINES WITH THE HAMMER AT HALF COCK POSITION AND UNPRIMED. IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THE SHOOTER A BETTER PROTECTION, ALL THE MUZZLELOADING PERCUSSION FIREARMS MARKED F.LLI PIETTA ARE SUBMITTED TO SEVERE FIRE TESTS EVIDENCED BY RELEVANT MARKINGS, MADE BY THE ITALIAN NATIONAL PROOF HOUSE OF GARDONE V.T. - BRESCIA - ITALY. WARNING - LEAD EXPOSURE DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING FIREARMS, OR HANDLING AMMUNITION MAY RESULT IN EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND OTHER SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (USA) TO CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM AND OTHER SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE. SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD. 5 BLACK POWDER Safety Precautions &Warnings Warning: CARELESS AND IMPROPER HANDLING OF THIS GUN COULD RESULT IN AN UNINTENTIONAL DISCHARGE CAUSING INJURY, DEATH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE! Careless and improper handling of this gun could result in unin- 1 tended discharge causing injury, death or property damage. Safety must be the first and constant consideration when handling a firearm and ammunition. F.lli Pietta snc shall not be responsible for product malfunctioning or for physical injury, death or damage to property resulting from either intentional or accidental discharge of this firearm, its criminal or negligent use, improper or careless handling, or from its use for purposes or subjection to treatment for which it was not designed. NEVER alter any part or add or replace parts not supplied by 2 F.lli Pietta s.n.c. This product was designed to function properly in its original condition. F.lli Pietta snc shall not be responsible for product malfunctioning or for physical injury, death or damage to property resulting from unauthorized modifications or alterations. ALWAYS carry revolvers with the hammer down on an empty 3 chamber to prevent accidental discharges caused by a blow to the hammer or with the hammer set on the proper safety position (Read carefully the instructions paragraph about the various type of revolvers). ALWAYS carry muzzleloading side by side shotgun, muzzleloading or breechloading percussion carbine with the hammer at half cock position (or charging cock position) and unprimed (without percussion cap in place). ALWAYS handle and treat your gun as if it were loaded so you 4 never fire it accidentally when you think it is unloaded. NEVER think it is unloaded. NEVER take anyone's word it is unloaded. ALWAYS check it yourself with your fingers off the trigger and the gun pointed in a safe direction at all times, including while loading. NEVER lean over the muzzle. ALWAYS make capping the nipples the last step of loading. NEVER keep or carry any firearm with the hammer cocked. 5 Cocking the gun or pulling the trigger should only be done when you are ready to shoot immediately. This way, your gun cannot be unintentionally fired. 6 ALWAYS leave your fingers out of the trigger until you start firing. 6 Note: safety devices on guns are extras and do not substitute for safe handling. NEVER perch the gun on the half-cock notch as it may fall and 7 discharge, causing damage to property, injury or death. The halfcock position provides only partial security from accidental discharges. If damaged or modified it provides NO Safety. NEVER depend on this device to prevent accidental discharge ! ALWAYS keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. This 8 way, if it fires accidentally, personal injury, death or damage to property can be prevented. This is especially important when loading and unloading your gun. NEVER let the muzzle of the firearm point at any part of your body or at another person or at anything you do not intend to shoot, even if you think it is unloaded. ALWAYS be certain of your target before firing. ALWAYS unload all firearms when not in use. NEVER store or 9 transport a loaded firearm. Firearms and ammunition should be safely stored separately in locked receptacles minimizing the risk that the gun and ammunition could be easily available for loading and firing. ALWAYS store your firearms out of sight and reach of children 10 or visitors. ALWAYS make sure your gun is not loaded before cleaning, 11 storing or travelling or before laying it down, or handing it to another person for use. NEVER climb a tree, fence or wall while carrying a loaded 12 firearm. NEVER leave a loaded gun unattended or resting against a tree, fence or wall. Someone, especially a child, may fire it and cause injury, death or damage to property. NEVER shoot at a hard surface or at water. A bullet may ricochet 13 and travel in unpredictable directions to strike you or an object you cannot see, causing injury, death or damage to property. NEVER fire your gun near an animal as the animal's startled reac- 14 tion could result in injury or accidents. 7 Firearms and alcohol don't mix. NEVER drink alcoholic beverage 15 or take drugs before or during shooting sessions, as this constitutes criminal disregard for your safety and that of others. NEVER use a gun while you are taking medication unless you have checked with your doctor to ensure your fitness to handle your gun safely. Be particularly careful when unloading the revolver to check the cylin- 16 der to be certain a live round does not remain in it. Before loading the gun make sure it is not ALREADY loaded. 17 DO NOT use burning patches. 18 DO NOT fire the gun when unloaded as it could result in damages to 19 the nipples, causing bulge and preventing the caps to properly lodge. Use soft lead ball only. Other materials or alloys will not travel freely 20 through the barrel. NEVER smoke while loading, shooting or handling black powder pro- 21 pellent. NEVER charge a muzzleloader directly from the powder flask. Use indi- 22 vidual charges from a powder measure when loading your gun. ALWAYS be certain that the ball is seated firmly against the powder 23 charge before firing any muzzleloading firearm. Any gap between the ball and the powder charge could cause excessive pressure and explosion of the barrel. If you can't push the ball against the powder charge, use a ball puller to remove it. Never remove the nipple when the gun is loaded. Keep all persons nearby to the rear of the shooter. Standing beside or in 24 front of the shooter is not safe. Flames, hot gases and percussion cap fragments might fly from the side of the gun causing serious injury. Treat a misfire or failure to fire with extreme care. Keep gun pointed in 25 a safe direction downrange and wait at least one full minute before attempting to reprime it. There is always a chance a spark is smoldering in the powder charge and the gun could fire at any second. Store black powder and percussion caps in separate locations and use 26 original containers when possible. 8 Black powder deposits heavy residues on all metal parts and eventually 27 it could jeopardize the good functioning of the gun. If black powder deposits on the cock position notch it could undo the proper functioning of the cock position. Thorough cleaning is necessary after each shooting session. Use a good black powder solvent or plenty of hot water. When the gun is cleaned and dry, apply a light rust preventative gun oil to all metal parts. While on the firing line, keep all black powder canisters closed. 28 If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or use this gun 29 safely DO NOT handle or use this gun. You must seek supervised instruction before doing so. Horseplay has no place around firearms. Guns can't think, you can. 30 REMEMBER, SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. BE A SAFE SHOOTER 31 AND USE COMMON SENSE AT ALL TIMES. WARNING: DEATH, SERIOUS INJURY, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE CAN RESULT FROM THE USE OF WRONG AMMUNITION, BORE OBSTRUCTIONS, POWDER OVERLOADS, OR INCORRECT COMPONENTS! Death, serious injury and damages can result from the use of wrong 32 powder or wrong caliber ammunition. For your safety and for all bystanders, all muzzleloading firearms are intended for use with BLACK POWDER ONLY. Use of any other propellent will result in serious injury to the shooter and damage to the firearm. Never under any circumstances attempt to use smokeless powder or a mixture of black powder and smokeless powder. Do not overcharge. Follow the recommended load data charts in this instruction manual and do not exceed the maximum charges. F.lli Pietta snc shall not be reponsible for physical injury, death or damage to property resulting from the use of improper propellent. Water, snow, mud, excess of lubrificant oil or grease or any other mate- 33 rial can obstruct the barrel of your gun and cause injury or fatality. ALWAYS check the barrel of your firearm for obstruction before loading and firing. If you observe any obstruction, IMMEDIATELY clean the gun to ensure your gun will function correctly and safely. 9 P WARNING: FAILURE TO WEAR EYE PROTECTION CAN RESULT IN EYE INJURY! ALWAYS wear safety glasses while shooting to protect your eyes 34 from injury by gun powder, hot gases, lubricant, dirt or metallic particles, carbon residue, sparks or other debris. Omit wearing safety glasses can cause injury to your eyes. ALWAYS wear safety glasses when disassembling and cleaning any gun to prevent the possibility of springs, spring tension parts, solvents, or other agents from entering and irritating your eyes. WARNING: EXPOSURE TO SHOOTING NOISE CAN RESULT IN PERMANENT HEARING LOSS! ALWAYS use the due cautions. ALWAYS wear and encourage others 35 near you to wear ear protection when shooting, especially on a range. Without ear protection, the noise from your gun, and other guns close to you, could leave a "ringing" in the ears for some time after firing. Repeated exposure to shooting noise could result in permanent hearing loss. 10 BLACK POWDER SAFETY PROCEDURES ALWAYS handle and carry revolvers with the hammer down on an empty chamber to prevent accidental discharges caused by a blow to the hammer or with the hammer positioned on the proper safety position. This paragraph will explain the various safety devices and safety positions designed at that time for every single gun. Always remember that these systems cannot be considered effective because they are not easy positions to find on the guns. The safest way is to always carry unloaded guns. 1851 NAVY MODEL There are 6 pins (part # 73) on the cylinder and there is a slit on the hammer (part # 18) where it hits the percussion cap. To put this revolver on a safety condition one of the 6 pins must be inserted into the hammer slit. Slightly pull the hammer backward so that the cylinder is free to rotate. When the pin is lined up with the hammer slit release hammer downward the cylinder. With a hand slightly rotate the cylinder right or left until the pin gets into the hammer slit (picture 1). This way the cylinder is locked. BE VERY CAREFUL, THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND DELICATE STEP. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR GUN IS LOADED. To release the safety position cock the hammer and the gun is ready to fire. 1860-1861-1862 ARMY MODELS There are 6 pins (part # 14) on the cylinder and there is a slit on the hammer (part # 18) where it hits the percussion cap. To put this revolver on a safety condition one of the 6 pins must be inserted into the hammer slit. Slightly pull the hammer backward so that the cylinder is free to rotate. When the pin is lined up with the hammer slit release hammer downward the cylinder. With a hand slightly rotate the cylinder right or left until the pin gets into the hammer slit (picture 1). This way the cylinder is locked. BE VERY CAREFUL, THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND DELICATE STEP. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR GUN IS LOADED. To release the safety position cock the hammer and the gun is ready to fire. 11 1858 NEW MODEL ARMY/NAVY There are 6 slits on the cylinder and to put this revolver on a safety condition you must insert the hammer head in one of the cylinder slits. Slightly pull the hammer backward so that the cylinder is free to rotate. When the cylinder slit is lined up with the hammer head lower the hammer to the cylinder. With a hand gently rotate the cylinder right or left so that the hammer head gets into the cylinder slit (picture 2) This way the cylinder is locked. BE VERY CAREFUL, THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND DELICATE STEP. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR GUN IS LOADED. To release the safety position cock the hammer and the gun is ready to fire. 1862 SPILLER & BURR MODEL 1863 NEW MODEL POCKET There are 5 slits on the cylinder and to put this revolver on a safety condition you must insert the hammer head in one of the cylinder slits. Slightly pull the hammer backward so that the cylinder is free to rotate. When the cylinder slit is lined up with the hammer head lower the hammer to the cylinder. With a hand gently rotate the cylinder right or left so that the hammer head gets into the cylinder slit (picture 2). This way the cylinder is locked. BE VERY CAREFUL, THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND DELICATE STEP. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR GUN IS LOADED. To release the safety position cock the hammer and the gun is ready to fire. 12 1873 S.A. PERCUSSION REVOLVER There are 6 slits on the cylinder and to put this revolver on a safety condition you must insert the firing pin (part # 24) in one of the cylinder slits. Slightly pull the hammer backward so that the cylinder is free to rotate. When the cylinder slit is lined up with the firing pin lower the hammer to the cylinder. With a hand gently rotate the cylinder right or left so that the firing pin gets into the cylinder slit (picture 3). This way the cylinder is locked. BE VERY CAREFUL, THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND DELICATE STEP. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR GUN IS LOADED. To release the safety position cock the hammer and the gun is ready to fire. 1858 STARR D.A. MODEL There are 12 slits on the cylinder, 6 of which keep the cylinder in firing position and 6 in safety position. To put this revolver on a safety condition you must insert the main trigger (part # 21) in one of the cylinder slits. Slightly pull the hammer backward so that the cylinder is free to rotate . When the cylinder slit is lined up with the main trigger lower the hammer to the cylinder. With a hand gently rotate the cylinder right or left so that the main trigger gets into the cylinder slit (picture 4) . This way the cylinder is locked. BE VERY CAREFUL, THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND DELICATE STEP. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR GUN IS LOADED. To release the safety position cock the hammer and the gun is ready to fire. 13 1863 STARR S.A. MODEL There are 12 slits on the cylinder, 6 of which keep the cylinder in firing position and 6 in safety position. To put this revolver on a safety condition you must insert the bolt (part # 43) in one of the cylinder slits. Slightly pull the hammer backward so that the cylinder is free to rotate. When the cylinder slit is lined up with the bolt lower the hammer to the cylinder. With a hand gently rotate the cylinder right or left so that the bolt gets into the cylinder slit (picture 5). This way the cylinder is locked. BE VERY CAREFUL, THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND DELICATE STEP. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR GUN IS LOADED. To release the safety position cock the hammer and the gun is ready to fire. 14 PATERSON MODEL For this model there are no safety devices or safety positions. ALWAYS carry this gun unloaded. LEMAT MODEL For this model there are no safety devices or safety positions. ALWAYS carry this gun unloaded. SMITH CARBINE For this model there are no safety devices or safety positions. ALWAYS carry this gun unloaded. ALWAYS handle and carry revolvers with the hammer down on an empty chamber to prevent accidental discharges caused by a blow to the hammer or with the hammer positioned on the proper safety position. This paragraph will explain the various safety devices and safety positions designed at that time for every single gun. Always remember that these systems cannot be considered effective because they are not easy positions to find on the guns. THE SAFEST WAY is to always carry unloaded guns. 15 BLACK POWDER LOADING WARNING: BLACK POWDER IS EXPLOSIVE! PLEASE REVIEW THE WARNINGS OF THIS MANUAL REGARDING BLACK POWDER. BLACK POWDER CHOICE Black Powder is extremely sensitive and is readily ignited by heat, spark, static electricity, friction, pressure, flame, etc. 1 ONLY handle Black Powder in very small quantities. 2 DO NOT overcharge. follow the recommended load data charts in this instruction 3 ALWAYS manual. 4 NEVER exceed the maximum charges specified in the manual. 5 DO NOT use burning patches. 6 NEVER smoke while loading, shooting or handling black powder. 7 NEVER charge a muzzleloader directly from the powder flask. use individual charges from a powder measure when loading 8 ALWAYS your gun. CERTAIN that the ball is seated firmly against the powder charge 9 BE before firing any muzzleloading firearm. Any gap between the ball and the powder charge could cause excessive pressure and explosion of the barrel. If you can't push the ball against the powder charge, use a ball puller to remove it. 10 NEVER remove the nipple when the gun is loaded. store black powder and percussion caps in separate locations 11 ALWAYS and use original containers when possible. on the firing line, ALWAYS keep all black powder canisters well 12 While closed. soft lead ball ONLY. Other materials or alloys will not travel freely 13 USE through the barrel. 16 WARNING: NEVER LOAD YOUR GUN WITH ANY TYPE OF SMOKELESS POWDER OR OTHER PROPELLANT! For your safety and for all bystanders, all muzzleloading firearms are intended for use with BLACK POWDER ONLY. Use of smokeless powder or other unauthorized propellant could result in damage to the revolver and/or injury to the shooter or bystanders. ALWAYS use BLACKPOWDER ONLY. NEVER under any circumstances attempt to use smokeless powder or a mixture of black powder and smokeless powder. F.lli Pietta s.n.c. shall not be responsible for physical injury, death or damage to property resulting from the use of improper propellant. BLACK POWDER LOADING DATA Make no mistake about it, black powder is the only propellent powder that is safe to use in a muzzleloading firearm. The reason for using black powder and black powder only is quite basic and it is related to firearms design. When used as a propellent, black powder generates a relatively low breech pressure. Replica firearms, even with their modern steel barrels, are not designed to withstand the high pressure produced by modern smokeless powder. Black powder is available in different granulation sizes : 1f or Fg – largest granulation type, to be used mainly with big caliber firearms 2f or FFg – to be used with .50 cal. firearms and .10, .12, .16 and .20 ga. side by side 3f or FFFg – standard granulosity, recommended for .31, .36 and .44 cal. revolvers 4f or FFFFg – granulosity used for flintlock primers only Keep black powder off heat sources. 17 Loading RECOMMENDED BLACK POWDER LOADING DATA AND BALL DIAMETER Use the following loading information to select the powder charge and the ball diameter. SUGGESTED GRAINS FFG FFG 8,20 mm Round _ .375” 9,55 mm Round .44 REVOLVER .454” .44 COMPET. REV. CALIBER BALL DIAMETER BALL DIAMETER .31 REVOLVER .322” .36 REVOLVER BALL TYPE GRAINS GRAMS MIN-MAX MIN-MAX FFFG FFFG GRAINS MIN-MAX GRAMS MIN-MAX _ 7-9 0,5-0,6 _ _ 9-12 0,6-0,8 11,55 mm Round _ _ 12-15 0,8-1 .464” 11,80 mm Round _ _ 12-15 0,8-1 .20 ga REVOLVER .27” 6,85 mm Round 25-35 1,6-2,2 .50 SMITH .510” 12,95 mm Ogival .10 SHOTGUN Pellets no 8 _ .12 SHOTGUN Pellets nO 8 _ _ _ _ Round 72 4,5 Pellets weight 32 Round 60 3,9 Pellets weight 36 35-50 2,1-3,2 THE MAXIMUM GRAINS OF BLACK POWDER FFFG BALL TYPE CALIBER BALL DIAMETER BALL DIAMETER .31 REVOLVER .322” 8,20 mm Round _ .36 REVOLVER .375” 9,55 mm Round .44 REVOLVER .454” 11,55 mm Round GRAMS MIN-MAX _ 12 0,77 _ _ 22 1,42 _ _ 35 2.26 THE MAXIMUM GRAINS OF PYRODEX DATA 18 FFFG GRAINS MIN-MAX FFFG BALL TYPE CALIBER BALL DIAMETER BALL DIAMETER .31 REVOLVER .322” 8,20 mm Round _ _ 9 .36 REVOLVER .375” 9,55 mm Round _ _ 17 .44 REVOLVER .454” 11,55 mm Round _ _ 28 GRAINS MIN-MAX WARNING: NEVER EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LOAD SPECIFIED IN THE LOAD DATA CHART ABOVE. PERCUSSION CAPS A Percussion cap is a small metal cap, which is coated with a priming mixture on the top of its interior. This priming mixture fires when it is struck. To fully load the revolver, place a percussion cap on a cylinder nipple. When struck by the hammer, the percussion cap's priming mixture explodes, igniting the powder charge. Try to keep water, grease, dirt, or other contaminants out of the open end of percussion caps. Failure to do so can cause misfires. WARNING: NEVER CARRY A CYLINDER THAT IS CAPPED! A Capped Cylinder loaded with powder and ball is the equivalent of a small firearm. A capped cylinder can discharge if dropped or struck. ONLY place a percussion cap on cylinder when you are ready to fire. Failure to do so can result in an accidental discharge causing injury, death or property damage. NEVER carry the gun with the hammer resting on a percussion cap! A light accidental blow to the hammer can readily cause the gun to discharge. 19 LOADING MUZZLELOADING FIREARMS WARNING: FOR YOUR SAFETY AND FOR ALL BYSTANDERS ALWAYS USE BLACK POWDER ONLY ! If there is one rule that you must not break when loading black powder firearms, it is the following: use black powder only. Do not be at all tempted to either load your weapon with smokeless powder of any sort, nor attempt to mix black powder and smokeless powder together. Wipe away any grease and oil from the cylinder chambers, the 1 inside of the barrel, the nipples and pockets around the nipples. Use a degreasant such as refined petroleum lighter fuel to rid the revolver of grease and oil before attempting to use the weapon. Make sure each nipple is firmly seated. 2 Draw the hammer back until it clicks in the half-cock notch (loa3 ding cock position), thus allowing the cylinder to rotate freely. Do not load the weapon with powder and ball yet but place a 4 percussion cup on each nipple. Fully cock the hammer and pointing the revolver downrange, 5 pull the trigger to fire the cap to dry out the base of the chamber and nipple. This will insure ignition and clear away any oil in the nipple port. Repeat this procedure for all nipples to insure that each chamber is thoroughly dry and clean. Check to be sure no unfired caps have been inadvertently left on the nipples. If so, fire them. Place hammer at half cock position (loading cock position) and 6 rotate cylinder to remove all spent caps. Hold the muzzle upward. Using a revolver powder measure, pour a measured charge into a chamber. Rotate cylinder. Repeat procedure for the other chambers. Lay a pre-cut patch or a dose of semolina over the muzzle. Place a properly sized ball or bullet of pure lead onto the ope- 7 ning of the chamber. 20 Rotate cylinder to place chamber in line with the loading lever 8 plunger. Using the loading lever, apply smooth and uninterrup- ted pressure to seat ball into the chamber and firmly on top of the powder. The ball should lay .040" (1mm) below the cylinder edge. A thin ring of lead will be shaved off the ball at the opening of the chamber. This occurence illustrates that the ball is properly fitted to the chamber and will not move off the powder during the firing of the other chambers. Do not crush the powder. Normally only five chambers of a six-shot gun or four of a five-shot gun or eight of a nine-shot gun are loaded. The gun is to be used and carried with the hammer resting on the uncapped nipple of the unloaded chamber. By doing so you reduce the possibility of accidental firing. WARNING: TO AVOID AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE, ALWAYS LOAD ONLY : FIVE CHAMBERS OF A SIX-SHOTS GUN FOUR CHAMBERS OF A FIVE-SHOTS GUN EIGHT CHAMBERS OF A NINE-SHOTS GUN WARNING: ALWAYS USE AND CARRY YOUR GUNS WITH THE HAMMER RESTING ON THE UNCAPPED (WITHOUT PERCUSSION CAP IN PLACE) NIPPLE OF THE UNLOADED CHAMBER ! Fill the remaining portion of each loaded chamber with grease. Suitable 9 products are natural lube, water pump grease or vegetable fat like crisco. This not only helps form a gas seal when the ball enters the barrel, but also prevents chain firing of all chambers at once, and aids in cleaning. With the gun pointed in a safe direction and hammer in half cock posi- 10 tion, place the proper size percussion caps on the nipple of each loaded chamber. ALWAYS place the hammer down on the empty safety chamber to pre- 11 vent accidental discharge from inadvertent striking or dropping of the gun and consequent unintentional shot. The gun will now fire each time the hammer is full cocked and the trigger is pulled. Your gun is now ready to fire. 21 ABOUT THE LE MAT REVOLVER We recommend the following ball sizes for the two different calibers of this gun: .44 cal.: .454" (mm 11,55) -(part no. 8) .20 ga. : round grapeshot balls .27 cal. (mm 6,85) approx 3/4 ounce to 1 ounce - (part no. 14) After loading the cylinder and the center barrel, NEVER place any cap on the nipple under the hammer, for the .20 ga. The cap could be misplaced (too high) causing a double percussion which would fire 2 shots simultaneously. WARNING: A CAP, IF PLACED ON THE NIPPLE UNDER THE HAMMER FOR THE .20 GA. COULD BE MISPLACED, CAUSING A MISFIRE THAT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE: NEVER PLACE A PERCUSSION CAP ON THE NIPPLE UNDER THE HAMMER FOR THE .20 GA. ABOUT THE 1873 S.A. MUZZLE LOADING PERCUSSION REVOLVER .44 CAL. This is the black powder percussion version of the 1873 S.A. cartridge revolver and therefore does not feature a loading lever. For easy loading of the chambers, remove the cylinder as follows: open the loading gate located in the right side of the frame. Place the hammer in the second notch, the cylinder should be now free to rotate. Slide the base pin and rotate the cylinder clockwise toward the loading gate. Use the proper loading stand (our Item. No. AC565). Follow then the same loading instructions as for all others muzzleloading black powder revolvers. ABOUT THE SMITH CARBINE This hinged frame carbine is considered a blackpowder breech loading firearm. It requires therefore the same precautions as with the blackpowder muzzleloading revolvers. The Smith carbine cannot be loaded directly from the muzzle like other muzzleloading rifles but requires brass re-usable cartridge case (our item AC460 of our catalog) which must be loaded following the same procedure used for loading the chambers of the revolvers' cylinder. Press upwards on the "T" shaped bar inside the trigger guard (part no. 32) to allow the barrel to swing down for loading. The barrel is chambered to lodge the cartridge case. 22 Insert the cartridge case and fold up the gun. Place a cap on the nipple. After shooting, open the frame and remove the cartridge case. To clean the barrel, open the frame and use a wood, aluminum or brass cleaning rod and a swab. WARNING: DO NOT PLACE THE CAP ON THE NIPPLE UNITL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT ABOUT THE MUZZLELOADING SHOTGUN Stand with the rifle on its butt with the barrel pointing to a safe position and away from your face and body. Make sure the hammers are at a rest position (loading position) and that the nipples are uncapped. Measure and pour the powder down the right hand barrel first, using an adjustable measure or pre-weighed charges. Strike the barrel several sharp raps with the heel of your hand; this will settle the powder into the barrel chamber. Place on the muzzle an over-the-powder wad (preferably of cork). Remove the ramrod from the thimbles and place the head over the wad. Carefully press the wad past the muzzle and ram it smoothly down to a firm seat on top of the powder charge. Mark your ramrod at the top of the barrel so that in future loadings it can be used as a gauge to easily determine that you have used the proper load and it is seated correctly. Measure and pour the desired weight and size of shots down the barrel. The over-shot card wad is the last major operation. Push one corner of the wad down past the muzzle and collapse the rim of the wad slightly. Place the head of the ramrod over the card wad and press it smoothly down the bore until it lodges solidly on top of the shots charge. It is a wise practice to mark your ramrod on the muzzle. A reference mark on the ramrod will insure that all future shots are seated to the same depth. Start now loading the left hand barrel. Finally, place the caps on the nipples and your gun is now ready to shoot. ABOUT THE 1858 STARR DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER WARNING: NEVER MANUALLY COCK THIS GUN, READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS FIRST. 23 The 1858 Starr Revolver is unlike that of any Black Powder Revolver made. Please read and understand the functions, features and operation before handling, loading or shooting this firearms. MAIN FEATURES OF THE 1858 STARR D.A. Take down bolt – This is a knurled bolt located on the right side of the 1 frame. Unscrew and remove the bolt to allow a quick and easy removal of the cylinder. Trigger switch – This switch, located on the back of the main trigger, is 2 used to change from “double action” mode to “single action” mode. Switch up: Double Action Firing – Switch down: Single Action Firing. Secondary Trigger – Located on the rear of the trigger guard. This trigger 3 will fire the gun when in the “Single Action” mode. DOUBLE ACTION MODE When The Starr revolver is used in the “double action” mode, the main trigger will be performing all of the functions and the gun will fire by simply pulling the trigger fully to the rear. SINGLE ACTION MODE If you pull the main trigger in the “single action” mode, the hammer will cock back and the cylinder will rotate to the chamber to be fired but unlike the double action mode, the hammer will not fall. To fire the gun, pull the secondary trigger. WARNING: IN THE “SINGLE ACTION” MODE THE MAIN TRIGGER IS USED TO COCK THE HAMMER. TO ACTUALLY FIRE THE GUN, THE SECONDARY TRIGGER HAS TO BE PULLED. THE STARR REVOLVER IS UNABLE TO BE MANUALLY COCKED BY THE HAMMER. HALF COCK POSITION Draw the hammer backward of about 1/4 and you will feel the hammer “click” into its half cock position. This will allow the cylinder to rotate freely for easy loading and priming. NOTE: When rotating the cylinder for loading or priming, to ensure that you do not scratch the cylinder, you will need to pull gently on the trigger to lower the cylinder stop bolt. 24 TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Ball seated without powder: sooner or later this seems to happen to everyone. It may be necessary to take apart the cylinder and use a worm or similar device to remove the ball or unscrew the nipple and push out the ball. Ball non seated against the powder charge: if due to powder fouling or other circumstances, a ball becomes lodged part way down the barrel, then the revolver must be disassembled and the charge removed. A stuck ball cannot be fired out of the barrel safely because it will act as a bore obstruction and possibly damage the revolver or worse. Never fire a muzzleloading firearm unless the ball is seated against the powder charge. If the cap fired but the chamber did not, the nipple may be clogged. If the cap did not fire, either the hammer did not hit hard enough or the cap is defective. If the cap is not defective the cure is to cock the hammer and flick out the cap fragments from the previous shot which sometimes get caught under the hammer. To remove the fragments use a knife blade or a small screwdriver. 25 BLACK POWDER P HANDLING The term "Single Action" means that the hammer of your revolver must be manually drawn fully rearward, or cocked before firing each shot. In the process of cocking your revolver, you should note that there are two separate hammer positions, each one having its purpose. LOADING AND UNLOADING POSITION 1 Draw the hammer backward and you will feel the hammer click into its first position (if you listen carefully, you can hear it). In this position the cylinder rotates freely clockwise. This permits you to load or unload your revolver.(fig.1). FIRING (full cock) POSITION 2 Draw the hammer fully rearward to its full-cock notch. Make sure it clicks into this rearmost position. Your revolver is now ready to fire. (fig2). CAUTION: NEVER ATTEMPT TO FIRE YOUR REVOLVER IN ANY POSITION EXCEPT THE FULL-COCK POSITION. ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE TRIGGER IN THE HALF-COCK POSITION WILL STRAIN THE MECHANISM AND POSSIBLY MAKE IT UNSAFE. (IT MIGHT EVEN BREAK IF YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH). 26 BLACK POWDER Decocking (Uncocking) the Revolver If you have your revolver in the full-cock position and change your mind and don't want to shoot, carefully follow these steps: Make certain that the revolver is pointing in a safe direction. 1 Make certain both hands are dry and not impeded in any way, gloves, 2 bandages, cold, etc. Fully draw the hammer back with your thumb and continue holding it 3 fully rearward while pulling the trigger backward. Hold the trigger and hammer back in this position. While holding the trigger back, slowly lower the hammer downward 4 past its half cock notch (half-cock notch loading position) until it rests on the cap. REMEMBER, YOU ARE LOWERING IT TOWARD A LIVE CHARGE! Be careful and keep the firearm pointed in a safe position. Pull the hammer back until it clicks on the half cock notch (half-cock notch 5 loading position). The cylinder is now free to rotate. Make the cylinder rotate until the empty and unprimed chamber is lined 6 up with the hammer. Slightly draw the hammer rearward and pull the trigger. When the 7 hammer past its half-cock notch (half-cock notch loading position), lower it slowly down against frame. 1 2 4 3 Fig A - With the thumb controlling the hammer as shown above (1). squeeze the trigger to permit the hammer to break free (2) Fig B - When hammer is free, immediately release trigger (3). Then lower the hammer slowly to its resting position completely down against frame. 27 B P Caution!! YOU SHOULD PRACTICE THIS IMPORTANT GUN HANDLING SKILL WITH AN UNLOADED REVOLVER UNTIL YOU HAVE DEVELOPED THE PROPER CONTROL AND TOUCH TO DECOCK YOUR REVOLVER SAFELY. Caution!! USE EXTREME CARE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECOCK THE REVOLVER. AS THE THUMB SLIPPING DURING THIS PROCESS CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE IF THE TRIGGER IS HELD TO THE REAR. Caution!! REMEMBER, WHEN YOU FULLCOCK YOUR REVOLVER TO SHOOT IT AGAIN, YOU ROTATE THE CYLINDER. WHEN YOU DECOCK YOUR REVOLVER AND DECIDE NOT TO FIRE, THAT CHARGE IS STILL LIVE IN THE CYLINDER AND WILL ROTATE WITH EACH COCKING. DO NOT FORGET ABOUT THIS CHARGE. IF YOU FIRED PRIOR TO THE DECOCKING OPERATION AND START FIRING AGAIN, THE HAMMER WILL FALL ON ONE OR MORE EMPTY CHAMBERS AND STILL WILL FALL ON THE LIVE CHARGE. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL OF THIS LIVE CHARGE. 28 BLACK POWDER Care and Cleaning Caution: ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE REVOLVER IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES IN CASE YOU LOSE CONTROL OF SOME SPRING-LOADED COMPONENT WHICH COULD INJURE YOUR EYES. Caution: YOUR MUZZLELOADING FIREARM MUST BE CLEANED AFTER EACH SHOOTING SESSION TO PREVENT RUST AND CORROSION FROM DAMAGING THE METAL PARTS. INITIAL CLEANING PROCEDURE FOR OPEN TOP FRAME BLACKPOWDER REVOLVERS (COLT'-STYLE REVOLVERS) – MAKE SURE YOUR GUN IS UNLOADED Remove the wedge, located just forward of the cylinder by tapping it 1 with a wooden or plastic wedge and a hammer through the slot in the side of the barrel. Proceed in this way: place the hammer in loading/unloading position, place the barrel on a small rise, put the punch on the wedge body that is sticking out of the barrel from the opposite side to that one of the screw and using a hammer strike it until complete removal from its seat. The wedge has a conical shape and therefore it’s well locked; use a certain strenght to remove it. After the wedge is removed, separate the barrel from the frame. 2 Place hammer in half-cock position (loading pos