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Military Firearm Restoration Corner

Jap Tower Flintlock Pistol


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I bought a ca. 1970s Japanese Tower pistol, flintlock, .69 caliber, some time ago. I drilled a touch hole in it and have fired it a few times. It's pretty spectacular when it goes off. Lots of boom and fire. .682 balls, or a bit smaller, are what it really needs.

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Aren't those big bore flintlock pistols name something like a Howdah pistol.

 

Biggest bore I ever shot was a 72 caliber smooth bore long gun. I missed an Oak tree about 10-12 inches in diameter at about 35-40 yards. The co-worker I was with blew two huge holes in a dying Saguaro Cactus. We were shooting it with Pyrodex with a pinch of 2400 in the flash pan. The Pyrodex didn't make a huge muzzle flame but a dense, thick smoke cloud enough to irritate my eyes..

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It was a stinkin' monster! I bought it (and sold it) on Gunbroker. I had no idea how big it was. It was something like .75 caliber, but more for looks than function. I've now shot the Tower pistol about six rounds total. That sucker has some kick! It's hard to aim and hit anything with it. I'd hate to be on the receiving end though. I shot it through an old microwave and it didn't seem like anything was stopping that huge ball.

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To jump slightly off subject. I really enjoy shooting muzzle loaders but don't like cleaning them afterward. I usually get nagged cleaning pistols in the kitchen sink. I usually hear "we eat off dishes that go into that sink". Long guns, I remove from the stock and jump in the shower with them.

 

Following a friend's advice. I spray engine degreaser or one can use any water soluble solvent down the bores before leaving the range. Really aids in cleaning and softening up black powder fouling. Dragging the kerosene stench into the house though wont make the wife happy. The last time I used engine degreaser at the range. The kerosene odor stayed in my SUV for several days. I never did get the smell out of a hard shell carry case and had to store it outside. If there is a next time with real black powder. I'll take my truck and rinse the solvent off outside with a garden hose.

 

I got hooked on Hodgden's Triple 7 for muzzle loaders and cap & ball revolver. Burns cleaner, less fouling, lower ignition point and lower flame temperature vs Pyrodex. Best of all it is not necessary to clean asap. Guns can be cleaned in a conventional manner instead of the hot water and soap method.

 

Even though the odor of black powder and the substitutes to a lessor degree can be obnoxious. Especially when using Mutton Tallow for patch lube. Just wouldn't feel right shooting black powder without the stink.

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I hadn't heard of that. Here's what I do, and it works. Boil some water, take the gun outside and pour the hot water down the muzzle. On revolvers it's different. I have a cheap, dedicated cake pan that I put the parts in and boil the water, then roll the parts around. I life the barrel to dump water, let it down to fill back up, and repeat a few times. No oven to dry. The water evaporates quickly.

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Wow..What cal was the top one?

It makes the 1858 Rem look lie a cap pistol!

karl

 

The 1858 Remmy was my favorite BP pistol but I wound up giving it to my son after he took a liking to it. I used to shoot it the ol'fashion one handed bullseye style. I clustered on the target the same as a modern handgun shooting bullseye style. Wish I had bought two when steel frame were only about 120 and brass only 99. I never have figured out why they're named 44's but shoot 45 cal slugs. The instruction manual said .450. Mine slugged a hair larger than .451 and I shot several home cast slugs intended for 45ACP.

 

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