Harmonica Gun

WaddWatsonEllis · February 12, 2010, 08:53:07 AM

Hi,

I have just started to become a docent at the Sacramento Museum, and they had this rifle that I had never seen before called a 'Harmonica Rifle'.

I am guessing that if it was new to me (I have been in and around firearms for over 50 years) that it might be new to someone here ... so I am posting this info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonica_gun

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2572031130099763970IrmFQA

Story · February 12, 2010, 11:34:25 PM

That's pretty neat.

Some guys are still making them
http://underhammers.blogspot.com/2009/07/wades-at-it-again-ingrhams-underhammer.html

Check what an original goes for
http://www.jamesdjulia.com/auctions/catalog_detail_shots.asp?Details=30409&sale=209

Lot 334.
VERY RARE KENDALL PERCUSSION HARMONICA RIFLE.
Est: $9,000.00 - $12,000.00
SOLD: $10,350.00
http://www.jamesdjulia.com/auctions/div_catalog_209_sh.asp

Roscoe Coles · February 13, 2010, 01:48:32 AM

While not that common, these were well known before the Civil War. John Brownings father (John Browning sr.) made harmonica rifles in Ogden Utah before the War. They are an interesting design and suffer from many of the failings common to revolver rifles (including the tendency to gas cutting and the occasional chain fire). It would be a very cool reenacting gun.

kflach · February 15, 2010, 02:41:21 PM

These are rather cool. I've never seen nor heard of anything like them.

Thanks WWE!

p.s. Does this mean you've got all your things together? I haven't seen any pictures of you in your role but I've been looking forward to it.

Angel_Eyes · February 15, 2010, 03:01:31 PM

A version of this mechanism, based on what looked like a semi-auto match pistol, was actually proposed and developed as a replacement for our confiscated cartidge pistols.

It could be loaded with .32cal wadcutter bullets, only available from the pistol maker.

Who sez that the British Arms industry is ripping us off

AE

kflach · February 15, 2010, 03:31:02 PM

It looks like something you'd have seen one the show "Wild, Wild West" (James West and Artemous Gordon).

Trailrider · February 15, 2010, 06:31:27 PM

Quote from: Roscoe Coles on February 13, 2010, 01:48:32 AM
While not that common, these were well known before the Civil War. John Brownings father (John Browning sr.) made harmonica rifles in Ogden Utah before the War. They are an interesting design and suffer from many of the failings common to revolver rifles (including the tendency to gas cutting and the occasional chain fire). It would be a very cool reenacting gun.

In point of fact, Jonathan Browning (John Moses' father) made the magazine portion of the harmonica rifles with a slight chamfer or recess at the mouth of each chamber. The lever-operated cam forced the magazine hard against the breech face, providing a fair, if not perfect gas seal. The magazine was NOT mechanically advanced. Rather, the camming lever was pushed down to free the mag, and the mag had then to be moved by hand to the next chamber. At one time I started making a replica. I have one magazine with five or six chambers (can't recall, and I can't get at the parts right now. I machined the receiver and the upper tang using high alloy steel, rather than wrought iron, and have a .44 caliber barrel threaded to it. Unfortunately, I lost the use of the milling machine and other machinery I was using, and never made the side plates or the cam and lever. Never made the lower tang, nor the stock. Browning senior used an underhammer lock mechanism, and I bought one of those cheap "boot pistols" to use. This was about thirty-five years ago, and I've never had the time (nor particularly the inclination) to finish the rifle.

WaddWatsonEllis · February 16, 2010, 12:10:26 AM

kllach,

I have everything but two articles to finish it .... and so few people know about Californios that I could probably fake those ... but I am still waiting for what promises to be a beautiful 8 1/2" bladed Damascene Belduque that Josh Dabney is making for me, and the Botas de Alas (Spanish leggings worn like chaps) that the Belduque will tuck into is being made by the Master, Chuck Burrows (kinda like Young Frankenstein, I want to genuflect every time I say his name *S*)

I recently found a reenactment hat that is closer to what was worn by a Californio than my present John Sutter/Sam Houston straw 'plantation hat' ... the reenactor died and his widow wants to sell it. Fortunately, his head size was as big as mine (7 1/2-7 3/4"), so I am going to pick it up this weekend.

Both the Belduque and the Botas are due to be done by the end of this month. When I get them, I am changing my profile to show the outfit in the profile, so it will be really obvious.

Once I am paid up again, I ran into a copy of a Winchester and Main (San Francisco leatherworkers generally held to be the people who started making the Slim Jim holsters), along with a belt cap bag to match. I am thinking about getting a set of those ... I'll include the Winchester and Main pic and the drawing Josh did to show me the knife design ... the curly lines on the scales (The scales will be curly maple) are silver imbeded wire ....

Roscoe Coles · February 16, 2010, 12:57:19 AM

Hey Wadd its Main and Winchester, not Winchester and Main. They are a good California maker, established in San Francisco in 1849. I owned one of their SAA holsters (sold it for $700 years ago and regret it) and a pal had a carved one for a dragoon!

WaddWatsonEllis · February 16, 2010, 01:12:03 AM

Roscoe,

That was 1849, right?

Ms. Purdy does a nice rendition of the original Main and Winchester Slim Jim with matching bullet pouch ... the pics from '1849er Purdy' are actually from her online catalog. So I think that one of her holsters and matching pouch are in my future ....

Roscoe Coles · February 16, 2010, 03:38:31 AM

Yep, 1849.

I went and looked at the Purdy stuff and the carving is nice but the finishes don't look right. To "Tandy Leather." What is she charging for these (couldn't find the prices)? If they are anywhere near what Rick Bachman (old west reproductions) is charging I would go there. Heck, thats where I'd go anyway. Here is the difference. She, and many others, are copying pictures out of Packing Iron, whereas Rick owns most of the holsters in Packing Iron. He is a student of period leather and his holsters are patterned off of original pieces in his collection, not pictures. I have never seen anyone do a more authentic holster than Bachman (they may exist, but I can't imagine how). My only regrets about Rick's work is that I don't have the cash to buy a lot more of it.

Check them out and check the prices with the ones you are looking it.

Roscoe

WaddWatsonEllis · February 16, 2010, 08:30:14 AM

Roscoe Coles,

I tried to look at Rick Bachman's work, and could not find any examples when I searched for Rick Bachman.

When I searched for New West Reproductions, they show as being done by a Jim Green. On that site, there was a California Slim Jim holster that was interesting, but no cap 'n' ball bag ....

The prices on the Jim Green site are pretty much in allignment with the rest of the the custom made holsters available, and looks really nice ... just don't know what leathermaker I am going to go with ... I have Will Ghormley holsters for my Navy Arms Schofield, have a previous relationship with both him and Chuck Burrows ...

Right now, I am still paying off the Belduque and sheath. I also have an 'okay' Oklahoma 'Slim Jim' holster that will be fine for docent duty (i.e., it looks okay and holds the pistol okay). So I am looking more at getting something in the summertime, and just searching for right now ...

kflach · February 16, 2010, 09:18:10 AM

End of the month...

I'm looking forward to it! I've watched your 'journey' with great interest. I kinda feel like I've been on it with you because you've kept us involved with what was going on.

I appreciate that.

WaddWatsonEllis · February 16, 2010, 09:51:35 AM

kflach,

Since we were talking about Josh Dabney and my Belduque, I thought you might like this thread showing the rise of the knife from a piece of Damascus Steel.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,31167.0.html

kflach · February 16, 2010, 10:28:20 AM

That's very cool! I set it to notify me so even if you don't see my name on that thread I'm keeping track of it.

Thanks!!!

Roscoe Coles · February 16, 2010, 06:22:43 PM

Its "Old West Reproductions" and here is the link.

http://www.oldwestreproductions.com/

WaddWatsonEllis · February 16, 2010, 09:53:20 PM

Roscoe Coles,

I liked the Winchester and Main Slim Jim.

I also bookmarked his website so that I can return when I get my shekels together ...

Thanks!

Roscoe Coles · February 16, 2010, 10:15:52 PM

Main and Winchester

Ricks work is well worth the money.

WaddWatsonEllis · February 16, 2010, 10:22:20 PM

Roscoe Coles,

I thought I had it right that time; was thinking that Main & Wiunchester was what I had been incorrect with. At any point, I stand corrected.

Now all I have to find is the money to make an order ... LOL.

That is, after I get done paying for that Belduque Josh Dabney is making for me ...

Trailrider · December 21, 2010, 01:51:35 PM

Pards,
Awhile back I sold the component parts for a harmonica rifle to a gentleman, who then finished it and has been shooting it. Unfortunately, I can't find his name or how to contact him. I have some old drawings I made about 40 years ago when I started it (40 years???!!!!). Thought he might be interested...

Would appreciate him contacting me.

Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all!