La Francais Darksider pistol

Pony Racer · October 07, 2007, 10:26:08 AM

Here she is - my first gun bought with a C&R license - made things very easy.

I got her from dealer on Gunbroker.

Her bore is extremely clean - oh best of all she was made in 1918 - and is nitro proofed.

I have some very low loads coming in and the guy that makes them insures his work and is giving me pointers on using bp and soft lead 44 caliber balls in the cartridges he makes from 44-40 cases.

He actually said that these guns have gotten a bad rap, evidentally due to many being coverted post WWII and shooting hot 45 acp loads out of them that eventually wore them out. The 1873's produced after 1915 were all made for nitro/modern powder, and while hot loads are in no way recommended, the guns were built, after 1915, for modern powder.

I plan to shoot them mostly with B/P cause that is what they were originally designed for and will make things much easier reloading wise.

Dick Dastardly · October 07, 2007, 11:53:50 AM

Ho PR,

Since I'm a gambler, I'd wager that you will have the only one at the first match ya shoot it at...

Glad another old gun will be put to good use.

DD-DLoS

Delmonico · October 07, 2007, 12:14:26 PM

Reminds me of a 1947 Studebaker pick-up, that thing is so ugly it's cool.

Very neat and unusual old gun.

Silver Creek Slim · October 07, 2007, 12:38:03 PM

Kewl!

Slim

hellgate · October 07, 2007, 12:49:34 PM

It looks like a double action. Not "legal" for Single Action Shooting Society matches but probably OK in a NCOWS category. It reminds me of the "dog pistols" that were popular around the turn of the century for personal defense by bicyclists that were commonly attacked by stray dogs while traveling.

Pony Racer · October 07, 2007, 02:00:28 PM

It is one of them pistols I just had to have from studying WWI and victorian era battles.

HG - I plan to shoot her whenever wildbunch category is offered - once I get the loading down and figure out where she shoots.

I may ask at some local matches to shoot her - once I get the hang of her - I have found locally that if something is period correct and you want to shoot it locally you can - you just have to ask first.

If she works well and does me good for wild bunch I may start looking for SECOND one - I think again I will be patient and wait out a post 1915 copy - shooting something that has been nitro-proofed for military use but saw very little use - just makes you feel better pulling the trigger:)

I will post more once my ammo arrives.

PR

hellgate · October 07, 2007, 08:27:00 PM

Soooooooooooooooo....................... what caliber is this thing? What kind of ammo will you be firing in it? do you have to modify an existing case or what?

Pony Racer · October 07, 2007, 09:49:00 PM

HG, the caliber is 11mm French - very close to 44 Russian in size - unfortunately the 44 russian cases rims are too thick.

It looks like the easiest thing to do will be take 44-40 cases down to correct length, their rims are perfect for french 11mm and then get the right sized 44 caliber C&B ball and load it into the case.

Otherwise I have to find a source of hollow based .451 bullets.

The reloading guy says he knows people who shoot the guns for fun with the 44 soft lead balls and they report outstanding accuracy at pistol ranges. I have to imagine that would be good enough for what we do.

I ordered 100 rounds from the reloader guy and am getting 100 shells converted to 11mm french - then I intend on using those to help me build my own.

It will definitely be some work, but for me that kind of work I like.

I'll post pics of ammo and brass when I recieve it.

litl rooster · October 07, 2007, 10:48:57 PM

good post PR cain't wait to see it in action

hellgate · October 07, 2007, 11:05:15 PM

You might want to mike the forcing cones on the chambers to see how far down the ball/bullets are gonna get squinched and then check the bore diameter to see if the cylinder throats need to be reamed out. That way you can find the right diameter ball/bullet for the gun's bore diameter.

Pony Racer · October 08, 2007, 07:54:00 AM

HG, I here you there.

Hopefully, in another month or so, I will get to do a shoot and see my friend and gunsmith Lincoln County Regulator and we will get that done.

The gun balances very well and the sights are pretty standard style.

I plan to down load the take apart schematics sent me and clean her today/tomorrow.

PR

Arcey · October 08, 2007, 09:00:47 AM

It just looks so.... so..... french......

Shouldn't have a problem if ya wanna play with it. Just won't time ya in category is all.

Pony Racer · October 08, 2007, 09:25:50 AM

Here is where patience is hard - got an email from another pard selling same pistol but made in 1876.

I can get it at cost - while it is not nitro rated - I planned to shoot the gun in black powder anyway.

Decisions, decisions....

Tks Arcey - hoping to see ya'll in November - might be able to get mattaponi Oct match - but not counting on it right now.

PR

Drydock · October 08, 2007, 08:20:06 PM

Now find yerself a Lebel, an you can be Beau Geste at the next Muster! Mais ouis?

Delmonico · October 08, 2007, 09:21:15 PM

Quote from: Sgt. Drydock on October 08, 2007, 08:20:06 PM
Now find yerself a Lebel, an you can be Beau Geste at the next Muster! Mais ouis?

I think they made "The Last Remake of Beau Geste" quite a few years ago.

Pony Racer · October 09, 2007, 08:10:45 AM

Sgt that is a little freaky - I have been looking with renewed interest at a Berthier or Lebel rifle.

Nebraskie is a ways away for me but we will see how work is going and how the new bioy is by that time.

Would be a nice trip out west for me.

PR

Steel Horse Bailey · October 10, 2007, 08:46:23 AM

Congratulations for putting an old shooter back into business! It has a great look - and yes Arcey, it DOES look French!

VERY!

In spite of their most recent uhh ... leanings, they WERE our only friends ... back in 1776 or so.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · October 10, 2007, 10:24:20 AM

The French Airforce is flying cover for our guys from Canada in Kandahar Province.

Steel Horse Bailey · October 10, 2007, 10:30:14 AM

Quote from: Sir Charles deMoutonBlack on October 10, 2007, 10:24:20 AM
The French Airforce is flying cover for our guys from Canada in Kandahar Province.

Good on 'em!

The new French Military can be very competent, if their politicians give 'em a chance! Glad they're supporting our Canadian friends!

Bead Swinger · October 10, 2007, 01:02:27 PM

I thought both Rapine and RCBS made some hollow-base molds in .44-.45. They might not be the right diameter. I couldn't find the Rapine listings, but RCBS has some .455 HB designs listed. There is an .455" 250 Grn HB 450 Revolver RCBS Mould and a .455" 45-265-RN-HB 455 Webley RCBS Bullet Mould listed on the buffalo Arms site. If they're too big, could these be sized down to what you need?

Here's an article I found... http://www.gunsworld.com/french/18xx/1873_carl_us.html. If what the guy says is true about his 1873, (being overbored) then the .455 HB designs sound perfect.

It sure looks like a sweet piece, even if it is French.

Please let us know how she shoots for you.