Question about pewter nose caps.

[Rolf]

Has anyone used cast pewter nose caps on pistols?
If not, any reason why not?

Best regards

Rolfkt

[JTR]

Rolf,
The one and only pistol I've made, about 25 years ago, has a pewter nose cap.
I made a form and cast it in place, including the RR groove, just like you'd do a rifle.
It worked fine and is still hanging in there just like new.

Somewhere on here there's a good thread on casting in place pewter nose caps for rifles. A Search should find it.

Now whether it would be correct for the pistol you're making, I don't know.

John

[Rolf]

John,
I'm toying with an idea for a future pistol project. A long barreled target pistol with
a slim 14"-16" swamped barrel (0.40), double set triggers, iron furniture with silver accents and a Chevron pewter cast muzzle cap. I guess its what you would call a fantasy pistol. The idea is "what could have been, but never was". Most of the stuff I make falls in that category(like the silver filigree bison powderhorn).

Were pewter nose caps commonly used with iron furniture?
I've found the tutorial for casting pewter nose caps. It looks do-able.

Comments, suggestions welcome.

Best regards

Rolfkt

[Darkhorse]

I don't see why a pewter nose cap on a pistol would be any different than one on a rifle.
Personally, I like them. Did a chevron on my .40 Lancaster with iron furniture and dark stained stock (turkey rifle), looks real good to me and others who have looked at it.
There are a few little tricks. See if you can find my post from 3 or 4 years back. I think I detailed some things.

[JTR]

Rolf,
The pistol I made was similar to your fantasy pistol.
It has a 9" long tapered barrel, 45 cal., percussion lock, single set trigger, and is a half stock. It has iron furniture, and I also cast a pewter butt cap onto the grip. Since it was going to be a target pistol, I checkered the grip and for fun added a little carving around the tang.
Looks good, but the darn thing never shot well. I probably made a mistake by using a hooked breech set up, with the rear sight mounted on the tang instead of the barrel.

John