Underhammer Muzzleloading Black Powder Guns

The 19th Century was a period of incredible innovation, especially regarding firearm development.
The "Underhammer" action is in my opinion, the most elegantly designed ignition system ever developed for Muzzleloading guns.

With very few simple parts, this type of gun is reliable and durable.
Plus, the action is under the barrel, so the sightline is unobscured, and Underhammer pistols were used by competitive target shooters.

There were many different Underhammer designs, and they were all very simple, easy to use and maintain.

DIY Gunsmiths are still making Underhammer Muzzleloading pistols and rifles to this day!

I am building my own Underhammer pistol that is only intended to set off caps and not fire any type of projectile. Over the coming months I plan to document the building process here on my blog.
I am considering using an Underhammer action for a homemade single shot airgun that I am also in the process of building.
Canadian firearm law doesn't allow me to legal build a projectile firing black powder pistol, but a non-firing, cap gun is within the legal framework of CDN gun laws.