Underhammer actions.

[Dave Faletti]

A friend is considering making an underhammer rifle.  He doesn't have the tools to make the action so I am looking for what is available off the shelf.  What is out there that you guys have or used?  What quirks, issues or problems might I run into.  I have made regular side locks but haven't made an underhammer myself.  I did a search but didn't find many prior posts.  I know there have been more than what I could find. 

[SPG]

Dave,

I'm finishing up a "Turkey Match" .45 underhammer utilizing a H&A action. I've cleaned it up quite a bit and set it up for a taper-pin takedown. It has an 42-inch 1 1/8th Goodein barrel, fancy American walnut done in a Hilliard pattern with crescent buttplate, some inlays and engraving. I like it and intend to fit a couple more barrels to it as well as have Keith Kilby case-harden it. Underhammers are sort of a an acquired taste, but very practical and useful.

Steve

[greybeard]

Search "The Underhammer Society"    and go from there

[Metalshaper]

Dave,

 Look for the Underhammer  Rifle book, by Jeff Baron.

http://underhammers.blogspot.com/2008/11/underhammer-rifle-book-for-builders.html

Also look for a copy of the Underhammer  book by Herschel Logan

http://www.amazon.com/Pictorial-History-Underhammer-Gun/dp/B0007DQFWM

 The underhammer is as simple or as complicated as you want to make it! 
I've made a few of them and really enjoy the challenge of creating something a bit
different from the others..  Look for names like Kendall, Hilliard, Billinghurst.. they are some of the best examples you can copy!!!

link to a Kendall/Hilliard style pistol < but could be made as a rifle! >
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/metalshaper/UHpistol-1.jpg

this link is of my latest build  if your interested?
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/metalshaper/Double%20Set%20Underhammer/PA310403.jpg

Hope it helps??
Give me a shout if I can be of any more assistance!!

Respect Always
Metalshaper/Jonathan

[Captchee]

 I would agree , the underhammer society would be a good place to start .
 When it comes to the actions themselves . I would recommend one that the  buttstock actually inlets to the action , not the  type where the  butt is held to the action by tension alone …
 I also feel that  while the interchangeable  barrel actions are nice . IMO the  actions that  the barrels screw to , instead of  attaching by  set screws , is a far more  accurate action .

 nice looking buld you have there Dave

[Kermit]

John Taylor in Puyallup, Washington. His website doesn't show much of his work, but his actions--and other work--are excellent.

http://www.johntaylormachine.com/38.0.html

Links to other places with photos of his actions:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=33307
http://www.huntamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?463-Latest-Underhammer-Project
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=86882
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=73329

I've got one of his actions on a current project. Brass Taylor action, 32" x 12ga Colerain OTR, curly myrtle. Coming slowly--I'm too dang busy!

[rickw]

There's an underhammer lock kit available from Muzzleloader Builders' Supply:http://muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/cgi-bin/mbscart/agora.cgi. Search for "underhammer".
I like underhammer guns and will probably build one myself one day.
Rick W

[T.C.Albert]

I had Charlie Bowers install his action on mine...I sent him the barrel
(a 48" DeHaas .50cal) and my butt stock wood, which I had previously sawn for fit and profile...he did the rest...he fitted up the action and his breech system to the barrel, and he fitted up and attached the stock to the action...his work is excellent. 
TC

[smallpatch]

Dave,

I have one of the MLBS underhammer kits just collecting dust in my shop.  Let me know if you're interested.  I'd let it go cheap.

[kutter]

Pecatonica River sells a H&A type action.
http://www.longrifles-pr.com/actions.shtml

..bottom of the page...

[BrentD]

I built my underhammer rifle using an action from Blue Grouse.  It is similar to the H & A and made of 4140 steel. Appropriate for my .45 18" twist barrel that I shoot with paper patched bullets up to 550 gr. 

If the guy is still making them, I highly recommend them as drop-dead reliable. 

Mine I had set up for a threaded barrel mounting. 

It ain't pretty per se, but it has been $#*! on whitetails to ridiculous ranges. 

Brent

[shortbarrel]

Dave:
          There is a rifle I made last year listed in the Underhammerblogspot.com. First page of older post, listed as Holmes Underhammer.  The action  has pictures and is explained in the text. Very strong action and a little different from the rest. If you would go on down in the older post, you will also see a lot of  pistols I made with different kind of actions.  Might give you some ideas. Regards

[westerner]

I have a underhammer rifle.  It shoots BULLETS!      BULLETS!!   


 UNDERHAMMER!!! BULLETS!!!        Joe.

[shortbarrel]

whats a underhammer bullet? i"m kind of dumb in picking up things .would like to have a good laugh to.

[stuart cee dub]

 I recently bought an underhammer action from Fire and Steel out of FL . I have not yet mounted a barrel to it ,one is on order from Rice ,but I was pleased with the quick turn and friendly prompt replies to my e-mail.

While underhammers may not be the typical long rifle action they are certainly period .Really more of a New England thing depending on the action style .I bought mine specifically to use for a target rifle .
Underhammers can be easily coaxed into having a nice trigger pull.

Rick R had one he had just built a couple of years ago at a winter shoot up here in MN on what I would call a traditional looking  trigger plate action from somewhere out of TX .I lusted after one ever since .It was all curly maple ,very sleek looking ,uninterrupted by a side lock .Very natural looking .
The simplicity alone would save hours of labor .But some concider them only slightly more lovely then a Sten .

[westerner]

whats a underhammer bullet? i"m kind of dumb in picking up things .would like to have a good laugh to.

On the right. Thats a underhammer bullet.   You're not dumb. Dont be so hard on yourself. You just never seen one before.  





 PEEPSIGHTS!!    


              Joe.