New (To Me) Flintlock Question

[hotfxr]

I was just given a flintlock smooth bore 68 cal pistol. Don't get all jealous, I will have to trade something for it, I just don't know what he wants yet. It seems to be a shorter barreled version of the Sea Service pistol I already have. So far the only markings on it I have found "JAPAN 608" printed on the barrel. It looks like it has been used, at least by the rust in and around the pan, but not abused. The guy who gave it to me said he bought it back in the 70's and shot it back then, but not in the last 10 years or so. I've had this in my hands for two days now and I haven't taken it apart. I know, unheard of from me.
The barrel, thimble and trigger guard are all pinned in. Normally this is not a problem, it's just on this pistol, the pins only go in on the left side and don't come out on the other side.
That's one conundrum, here is the other. It didn't have a flint in the jaws and the guy swore it used to spark up every time. I sat down last night with my box of flints and must have tried 30 or so different flints. Not one single solitary spark from any. So I put in my cheater flint just to be able to burn up some powder.
In the pictures, the steel ramrod below is the 3/4" to short won that came with the pistol. I made a quick brass one with a jag that is too small cause it looks better.

So does anyone know much about these made in Japan pistols? Let me know.

[hotfxr]

The other side.

[Dogshirt]

sounds like an Ultra-High by Miroku. I've never had any in hand experience, but have heard they are
notorious for weak springs. As for the spark, I don't know.

[hotfxr]

So brother Dogshirt, I kind of have to make this one a shooter. The barrel is too short for tightening barbed wire. 

[Hanshi]

You may have your work cut out for you.  Never having any experience with this type pistol, the problem with the barrel pins is odd indeed.  For the lock maybe better springs is the answer.  The frizzen could also be soft. 

[beowulf]

they were notorious for having soft frizzens , so that`s where you should start ! would also take the lock apart and clean it up , some were really rough ! but ( good news ) I`ve seen a few that were reworked into decent shooters !

[flintboomer]

If I remember right those went for $29.95 or something like that.

My only experience with Ultra High was a poorly made copy of the TC Hawken. It shot ok when you could get it to go off which was about 1/3 of the time and the lock? It would have helped if they had understood how it should work instead of just copying the TC lock and getting everything wrong that they copied.

I don't think they realized that some people would actually try to SHOOT them.

[hotfxr]

Took it apart, cleaned it up, refinished the wood. The pins were actually nails. Pounded them through and replaced them with some pins I had laying around. The breech bolt on this is only 5/16" in thickness and you can clearly see the seam on the inside of the barrel. This clearly will not be used for any serious shooting. It will however fit nicely alongside my other "pirate" pistol and be used for entertaining kids in the front yard.

[Hanshi]

Fix the lock problem and it might make a very good "beater" pistol.

[hotfxr]

Fix the lock problem and it might make a very good "beater" pistol.

I put my last Kypers Flint on it. It fires every time.

[beowulf]

 

[Papa]

These, along with many others, were very inexpensive and also very poorly made. Inferior parts, workmanship and architecture. If you trade into it make sure you give him something you really don't want or have nothing in.
Mark

[hotfxr]

These, along with many others, were very inexpensive and also very poorly made. Inferior parts, workmanship and architecture. If you trade into it make sure you give him something you really don't want or have nothing in.
Mark

Actually, I kind of, almost, not really, feel bad about how things went on this deal. After I fixed it up and realized it would never be used as a weapon, I gave it back to him. His response was to hand it back to me and said keep it. Then he gave me the Great Plains pistol that has not yet been fired (he didn't like the way it looked) and offered me $300 for my Jukar .45 flintlock rifle that I never really warmed up to. (I really don't like that two piece stock and whoever put it together wasn't a woodworker.) Since I got the rifle for, if memory serves me correctly, around $150, I came out pretty well overall.

So now the "Pirate Pistol" goes with the other one and anytime we have a gathering at the house, kids from 6 to 60 love shooting them. I load them with black powder and some powdered non dairy creamer and let them fire away. They get the noise, extra smoke, and a cool ball of flame out the barrel. Along with the cannon, everyone has a great time. Annoying my neighbors is just added bonus. 

[Hanshi]

Ah!  That GPP, however, is a whole-nuther-story.

[Papa]

You did very well, on the "Junker" alone.
Mark