AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Hallo!

It warms my heart so, and counters the cancer of discouragement, to see these heresies spreading.

This is.. hope.

Three Cheers and a Tiger!

Curt
Firearm Heretic

[dixieflyer]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Pards,
I still have some work to do with mine.
- I really need to find a good ramrod: would Lodgewood be best for this in your opinion?
- Mine is a cone in barrel conversion, and I have thought to get it "relined" so that I can live-fire. Recommendation on who might do this work, and what kind of cost I might incur?

Bryan, great work! Mine looked much like yours when I got it, except the stock had been cut at the lower band, and it was missing all original bands. Sure is nice to see these resurrected and brought back to life.

Thanks an advance for y'all's help and advice.

[Pumpkinslinger]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Super job Bryan!

[Archie R. Lib]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Bryan that is outstanding! I should send my stock to you for repair, as you most definitely have the Midas touch.... I certainly could use some work on mine!

Warren - I do not have first-hand experience with the quality of their work, but Whitacres in Winchester, VA is known to do relining.... They are at http://www.whitacresmachineshop.com/ or 540.877.1468. There is also a gentleman in Tennessee that has an excellent reputation for these, but his name escapes me at the moment. I'm sure Curt or Craig will know better than I someone that could work with you on yours.

VR

[dixieflyer]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Thanks Rich, just what I needed!

[Archie R. Lib]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

No problem Warren.

Also yes, Lodgewood can get you a ramrod. If you run into issues there I would check with S&S Firearms. They have a pretty good turnaround.

As for the cost, I think Whitacres runs around $250 for a reline, give or take.

Take care.

[CompanyWag]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Hi Warren,

I recently got a repop 1816 ramrod from Lodgewood to fit an original. No problems. Keep in mind the replacement ramrods for the Pedersoli 1816 repro are too thick to fit the channel on an original...but you probably already knew that.

Paul McKee

[dixieflyer]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Noooo, I didn't know that Paul, thanks for that heads up. Looks like I'll go with the Lodgewood.
I was really hoping that the preferred weapon for the Shiloh adventure/adjunct would be .69 smoothbores and that this old girl would get to see the elephant again slinging stuff at Johnnies, but alas, it is not to be. :( Oh well, I can still use it doing LH at Donelson, and the occastional western CS portrayal.

Rich, thanks for the advice as well. I had thought to go to S&S since that is where I got my barrel bands oh so many years ago. (Has it really been 22 years?) I've been itching to give Lodgewood a try though.

[Archie R. Lib]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Warren:

So why wouldn't you use that veteran pumpkin slinger at Shiloh?? I certainly plan on taking mine to return fire at you! Is it that you won't have the work done in time?

[dixieflyer]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

No Rich, the Paddle-Wheeler Adjunct event's regs are asking for M1861's and barring those asking for Enfields next. M1816/22's are on the acceptable but not preferred list. :(
S'Ok though, I'm sure February will find me haunting Ft. Donelson and its environs at some point , and hauling this old girl around.

[Archie R. Lib]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Alas.

Well, in the 6th Mississippi I'm sure we will be rife with them. Lookin forward to it. See you there, and at Donelson also I hope!

Don't fall off the boat.

Take care.

[WpnsMan]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Rich, Warren, et al thanks for the kind words.

Curt, there is always hope brother.

I always like a good challenge when it comes to saving a piece of history. Though, you have to pick your candidates carefully. In my case the musket while rough was basically all there so, I had minimal outlay for parts that required replacement.

When looking for something worth the effort, you should most definitely do your research on the cost of parts beforehand. That “great deal” on a post war cut down musket for $400 may not be the bargain you hoped it was. Unless you have access to cheap original parts, the cost of original or repo parts required to restore one of these can quickly exceed the original price and make a complete gun quite the better buy.

An eroded or bored out to smoothbore (a typical post war modification) shouldn’t be an issue for our purposes. If you want it relined for live firing the cost is in the $250 range from Whitacre. If it has also been cut short, “stretching” it back to its original length in conjunction with the reline will set you back about $280. If the forearm was shortened at the lower band (if you’re lucky) a replacement forearm will cost $75 from Dunlap. If the entire stock needs replacing it will cost you $275.

If dealing with an M1816 or M1842, the cost of middle and upper bands alone can exceed the purchase price of the musket if buying original. Hopefully reproductions are available but, you will still drop around $150 or more on them. Lodgewood is a good place to start but availability can be an iffy proposition. A repo ramrod is around $48, originals start around 3 times that depending on condition.

If you enjoy long term projects and can absorb the cost over an extended period of time or, luck into some good buys this route can be a rewarding experience. If not, be prepared to buy a decent original or a repo.

I also have a M1863 type I in worse condition that I am debating on whether to proceed with. As it stands now the numbers don’t add up to making it cost effective. Unless of course, I luck into a screaming deal on the required parts.

[dixieflyer]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Bryan, I got my repro bands from S&S, but I have no idea what I paid for them back then. Their current price for their repro upper and middle bands totals only $68.00.

[WpnsMan]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

Warren,

I hadn’t checked S&S, just my usual suspects, thanks.

A repo ’42 front band with a correct brass bladed sight will set you back $50 from Blockade Runner if they have them.

The ’42 front band is $45 from Lodgewood. They also have a repo middle band w/ swivel for $42 but only have original lower bands for $55. If you buy a complete set of Armi-Sport ’42 bands will run you $128 and I have no idea if they will fit an original or not.

When looking at their ‘16/22 listing, repo front bands are not currently available. A repo middle band w/ swivel will set you back $36 and again, they only show original lower bands for $55.

Add in any miscellaneous screws and/or springs for the lock or stock and you will quickly be there if not more.

The main point I was trying to convey was that these projects can quickly become money pits if you don’t thoroughly research ALL the required parts before you proceed. Preferably before you purchase said musket.

[dixieflyer]

Re: AS M1842 or Pedersoli 1816/22 Conversion

You are right Bryan, they can, but at the same time, I didn't want anyone scared off from doing this. I still think that for the majority of situations, one can "rehab" a beater M1816/22 for less than a repro costs and still come out with a better weapon.