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.

Black Powder Caplock Muzzleloader Antique Guns

North American Caplock muzzleloader, 18 gauge(.647cal.) /20" smoothbore  barrel. Circa 1830-40

J. Bourne & Son SXS 12 gauge Caplock muzzleloading English Coachgun/Shotgun
2 x 22" barrels / .729 caliber bore or 12 gauge
Made in Birmingham, England
Circa.1840-45

Flobert-style  .50 caliber muzzleloader handgun
10" smoothbore barrel
 #11 Percussion cap "center-fire" hammer fired single action
Circa 1870?

Flobert guns were typically chambered for 6mm or 9mm "flobert" cartridge ammunition.
They were popular low powered,  indoor target shooting guns and backyard/garden guns for plinking and shooting small pests and vermin.
I can't find any reference online to this type of muzzleloader handgun made with a flobert action, and a modified flobert rifle stock.
It may have been someone's custom gun  project, but I'll never know for sure.
I did also buy an antique  flobert shoulder stock in but the action didn't fit properly into the shoulder stock.

One day the global pandemic will be over, and I will have some fun blasting soup cans with these relics from the 19th century.

Volcanic Repeating Arms Pistol would make an AMAZING replica Air Pistol!!!

I have always wanted to see Umarex, Crosman and other Airgun manufacturers release replicas of 19th century firearms, especially certain firearms like the Volcanic Repeating Arms Pistol!

Smith & Wesson worked on this handgun, which was chambered in .31 caliber rimfire  and .41 caliber rimfire, and it's ammo were lead bullets with powder and primer built into the base of the bullet.

The Volcanic pistol was a commercial failure, mainly due to its lack of power, but the lever action mechanism was later perfected  and evolved into the Lever action rifles made by Winchester.

Hopefully someday there will be an Airgun replica.

The gun pictured is a non-firing, fully functional replica that I owned for a while, but recently sold on gunpost.ca, and it's someone else's turn to appreciate this amazing bit of history.

Even more interesting Improvised Modified Homemade Firearms from around the World

My first Antique Black powder Muzzleloader Gun!!!

I have been shooting and collecting Airguns for many years, and have often thought about learning more about black powder muzzleloader guns.
In Canada, there are certain  "Antique" firearms that were made before 1898 that don't require firearm licenses.

This double barrel English Coach Gun is one of those antique firearms that doesn't require a Canadian gun license to own.

It was made by Bourne & Son, in Birmingham, England between 1840-45.
It's a 12 gauge side by side, 22 inch double  barrel Caplock action,m shotgun.

I have been enjoying myself reading different books and manuals on these types of firearms, and will update this post as I have more to say on this subject.

T4E TR-50 .50 cal. Co2 Revolver

I have ordered a T4E TR-50 .50 cal. Co2 Revolver and 500 rounds of Riot-Ball ammo!!!
I am patiently waiting for camouflage.ca to ship my order, which also includes 4 x 90 gram Co2 cartridges (so I can finally test out my new used Walther SG9000 Co2 BB Shotgun)

More Improvised Homemade guns ....

Improvised Firearms & ZipGuns

Homemade improvised firearms and zipguns article from TFB "the firearms blog":

improvised-firearms and zip-guns

I  enjoy collecting photographs of homemade guns from around the world, and i have a few interesting  books and e-books  on this subject.

I have also  made a few of my own homemade pistols that are  of similar design, except they are  non-firing cap-guns.

I love my homemade Airguns, as well as improvised homemade guns!