Pre-1899 firearms - need advice

[Chris]

I'm wanting to pick up a couple of usable pre-1899 firearms... anyone have any advice on what to look for?

I had been thinking about a couple of S&W top break .38's but frankly don't really know what to look for and what to avoid. Revolvers would be my first choice but right after that I'll start looking for an appropriate 12 ga. and possible a rifle or two.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[KahrMan]

Don't know a lot about the old stuff but I did just pick up a Danish m-1867 rolling block in 11.7 Danish (basically a 45-70).  

It is a cool old rifle.

[xsubsailor]

 I looked for years for a Model 97 Winchester shotgun but couldn't afford it when I found one. 

[Chris]

5 hours ago, KahrMan said:

Don't know a lot about the old stuff but I did just pick up a Danish m-1867 rolling block in 11.7 Danish (basically a 45-70).  

It is a cool old rifle.

I was looking at an 1884 Springfield in .45-70 but man it's pricey. Totally jealous of your rolling block. 

[1gewehr]

Here's a quick list off the top of my head:

Mauser 1894 7mm

Mauser 1896 broomhandle

Mosin nagant rifle

Nagant revolver

Krag Jorgensen rifle

Colt 1878 and other pre 1899 revolvers

Level 1886 rifle

Level 1892 revolver

A little research will dig up many other possibilities.

 

 

[Chris]

Ooooh, I hadn't thought of a Krag. That'd be fun. Thanks!

 

[KahrMan]

When these were first made they shot a rimfire cartridge.  Thats why you see two firing pin holes in the pic below.  However, with the adoption of the 8mm M1889 Krag-Jorgensen the need to update or abandon the Remington design became acute. In 1896 they were withdrawn from infantry service, converted to centerfire cartridge and issued to coast and fortress artillerymen.

 

This rifle was made in 1882 and converted to 11.7x51 somewhere around 1896-1897.

 

 

[Chris]

That's awesome! Is it still shootable?

[KahrMan]

Yes but I have not shot it yet.

[gregintenn]

Got a budget in mind?

[Chris]

Cheaper is obviously better, but I'm not afraid to spend a little money on the right gun(s).

[Handsome Rob]

Atlanta cutlery have a TON of old Nepalese Martini Henrys in .450-577

Some are junk decorations, many are restoreable with a lot of work, lots are restoreable with a bit of work, a few are fully functional. Obviously price depends on condition, but they run the gamut from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand. A fair example will cost a bit more up front, but if you don't mind getting dirty, you can build a really nice rifle by using one as a base & sourcing parts.

There are even online tutorials of forming your own brass.

[1gewehr]

Remington Rolling Block!  Forgot about that one.  Many were made in 7mm Mauser.  Some were made in 8mm Lebel.  Very strong action.

[Ramjo]

Remington Rolling Block!  Forgot about that one.  Many were made in 7mm Mauser.  Some were made in 8mm Lebel.  Very strong action.

Been wanting one of those myself.


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[gregintenn]

18 hours ago, 1gewehr said:

Remington Rolling Block!  Forgot about that one.  Many were made in 7mm Mauser.  Some were made in 8mm Lebel.  Very strong action.

Assuming it hasn't sold, there's a nice looking one, although refinished, in the gun store on the square in Lafayette cheap.