Numrich underhammer pistol

[Jim in Wisconsin]

I just bought an old Numrich underhammer pistol. I thought it was 36 caliber, but the bore diameter is actually .352 with 8 grooves. I have some .350 Hornady balls and managed to try one with a patch, but that is way too tight. I think a good size would be about .335 to .340, but that doesn't seem to be a common size at all.
I have a lathe and made a die and punch to size some .350's down to .334, just to try that. They end up looking more like a bullet than a ball and didn't seem to be very accurate, like all over the paper at 20 yards or so.
I see Track of the Wolf has cast balls of .340, I should order some of them. Any other ideas?
I don't suppose anyone else has one of these oddball pistols.
Thanks

[Hank in WV]

Jim, can you post a picture? Not sure if I've ever seen one.

[Jim in Wisconsin]

I'm not very good with this computer stuff and don't know how to put pictures on here, but if you search for Numrich or Hopkins and Allen Boot Pistol you'll see them.

[PetahW]

.

There's a pic in this thread: https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/underhammer-pistol.125702/


FWIW:

* H&A underhammers have undersize bores, compared to other maker's - my .36 H&A Heritage took patched .340" balls, which I got from www.trackofthewolf.com

 (I would strongly advise obtaining an extra nipple specific for the H&A, and a nipple wrench, from TOTW @ the same time)

(Other brand .36's take a .350" ball)

Alternatively, .330" OO buckshot or a Hornady .314" SWC boolit can be used, both with patches.

* I used (and still do) about 15gr (+/-) FFFg for my H&A and T/C .36's - any brand of Holy Black you can get your paws on will do nicely.

.

[Hank in WV]

Aah, thanks guys, I do remember seeing them now. Another case of CRS...

[Jim in Wisconsin]

Thanks Petah - I opened up the die to .339 and tried it again today. That's about the right size with the patch material I have and they seemed to be more accurate, although I only fired a few times. I'm using 22 grains of black 3F. I'll order some of those .340 balls from Track of the Wolf. The nipple that came with it was not the right one, it was too long. I had one from a revolver (I think) that was shorter and works good. The thread is 6mm - .75
I like this pistol - even though it's sort of ugly!

[Jim in Wisconsin]

I've been shooting this pistol with the .340 balls and it works great.
The next problem is that the trigger pull is too light - the angle of the sear notch doesn't match the trigger "spur" correctly. I would like to buy a new hammer and possibly trigger, but they don't seem to be available. Numrich doesn't have them. Pecatonica Arms shows a buggy rifle action and I contacted them about parts, but they referred me to Deer Creek. I emailed them but they never answered.
I suppose I could try altering the notch with a Dremel cut-off wheel, but not by hand. I'm not steady enough for that! I would have to make some sort of set-up on a little milling machine to hold everything.
Any other ideas?

[Winter Hawk]

they referred me to Deer Creek. I emailed them but they never answered.

I have had that problem every time I email them; telephone works best.

~Kees~

[Butler Ford 40]

http://www.bagmolds.com/UNZIPPED/htdocs/1.shtml

[Jim in Wisconsin]

I took it apart today with the intention of adjusting the sear notch on the hammer. I found out that the pin that the hammer pivots on was bent - not just a tiny amount, but very noticeably. It is 1/4 inch diameter with a head on one end and an internal 8-32 thread on the other.
 I have a small South Bend lathe and made a new pin. Now the trigger and hammer fit together better.

That .340 bagmold sounds good - thanks Butler Ford 40 ( does that refer to a 1940 Ford?)
 

[Hanshi]

I have an H&A that's a rifle, however, and not a pistol.  I bought mine around 1965 or so.  They used the same action and parts as the pistol, plus the bores are undersize too.  My rifle is parked .45 but is in reality a .44.  It is no longer fired but was very active for many years killing deer, bobcats and squirrels.  The accuracy was astonishing, to say the least, perhaps due to it being "gain twist" rifling.  A cheapy ball mold came with it and it was easy to see it was no more than and old iron hair curler.  The ball was far from symmetrical but did load and shoot okay.  Later I got a .44 mold which worked better.  I did manage to shoot .440" ball from it using thin patches.  Sometimes buckshot of just the right size can be found and used.
You have a very useful pistol with one of the best barrels available at the time.  I suggest spending time with the pistol and find out what load works best.

[Jim in Wisconsin]

I do shoot it once in a while with the track of the wolf 340 balls and mink oil greased pillow ticking. I made a set of walnut grips so that the grip angle matched that of a 45 colt auto.
The main thing I've learned about shooting these pistols is that I'm a lot better with a rifle!