Looking for advise (mule-ear)

[beleg2]

Hi,
This is new project:
I get a Pedersoli barrel and stock, both used.
I would like to make it a mule ear rifle.
I can use the patent breech that was on the barrel but I have to make a liner for the nipple or cut the back of the barrel and use a standard breech plug and make a new hole for the nipple.




Any advise?
Thank you very much.
Martin

PS: hope my post is clear enough many times I make a mess.

[keweenaw]

It should be a simple matter to make a liner to screw into the old drum hole that is tapped in the end for your new nipple.  The current thread is some metric so unless you buy the appropriate metric die or can cut the metric thread on your lathe, it will be easiest to open it up to the next largest NF thread whose tap drill will clean up the current hole.  Alternatively if you still have the original drum you could consider cutting it down and using it as a liner IF the hole size is small enough to counter bore and tap for your nipple thread.

The down side on this is once that long, long liner is in, it might be very difficult to get it out again once it gets some corrosion around it, the flash path is very long, and that breech is hard to clean.  If you faced the current patent breech plug off at the edge of the drum hole you would still have ample (five full)  threads.  You could then set the barrel back.  This would necessitate buying an appropriate metric tap but a 12 x 1 metric tap (check the size) is all of $7.35, cheaper than a new breech plug and you wouldn't need to fit the new plug to  the tang.

Tom

[beleg2]

Tom,
Thank for the advise.
Probably the easier way will be to make the liner.
I Think it would be very difficult to me to fit the shortened existing breech plug.

Daniel,
I plan to make the mule ear myself and ad some kind of half cock or safety.

Thanks again.
Martin

[Metalshaper]

My Muleys have half positions.. and the new one I'm supposed to be finishing  ( My Underhammer is taking a bit, due to life and such ) is set up to use a normal 'vertical' traveling trigger. as a matter of fact, once I cut in and fit the fly, it could even use a set trigger?

have a scan of the old Navy Arms Poor Boy lock, if you need inspiration?? just shout me a PM and I'm e-mail it back. if you don't use it as a blueprint .. it has enough info to give you some ideas of your own. 

My bud has made a couple of versions with no half position. on one of his, it has a safety lever, that locks the hammer in the open position. on another he made a simple spring loaded Cap Ccover, that 'pops' out of the way, when you cock the hammer. a third has a simple gravity lock, that sets under the hammer and prevents it from setting fully down. when you re-cock the hammer, it drops/swings out of the way..

Respect Always
Jonathan/Metalshaper

[beleg2]

Thanks Metalshaper.
Email sent.

Martin

[Long John]

There are a lot of people that have had lot's of problems with the Pedersolli breech.  If it were my project, since it is a straight octagon barrel, I would saw off the breech and install a regular flat-faced breech plug and mount the nipple into the barrel side like the originals.

Best Regards,

JMC