Pedersoli 1841 Rifle

[Rockbridge]

I recently purchased an 1841 rifle by pedersoli. At first glance it's pretty close right out of the box, the only glaring problemishes are the modern markings, but they are rather small. It's the early version with the simple notch rear sight, it's in .58 caliber though it should be in .54 in this configuration. The barrel is a very nice brown and the case hardening is also done well. Fit and finish is nearly perfect. Lock plate is marked Harper's Ferry 1847. The front site is a brass blade. And there are inspectors stamps in the stock opposite the lock plate. Overall it's a good looking rifle. Thought I'd give some of the details that pedersoli leaves off of their site.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Pedersoli 1841 Rifle

Not to rain on the parade, but the browned barrel finish on the Pedersoli US 1841 appears to be painted on...at least according to Todd Watts, who has had a couple come to him to defarb. Otherwise, I agree Pedersoli seems to have done a good job with their US 1841 overall. It brings up an interesting point in the sense that none of the modern Italian reproduction gunmakers ever used the cold rust barrel browning finish from the mid-19 century but still, brown paint? I was disappointed to find that tidbit out...

The stock also has the modern type walnut stained finish, but one expects to have to do that much meaning refinish the stock with boiled linseed oil.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Pedersoli 1841 Rifle

Ordered one of these from Cabela's to check out more closely. Pedersoli appears to be using the old Euroarms tooling for their US 1841 and it is a good repro, but also wanted to check out the barrel finish to be certain that what I had heard was correct. Had dinner with Todd Watts tonight and he confirmed the barrel finish is in fact spray painted on the barrel, not actually browned. As he put it "...the barrel finish just peels off." Good in a way, it will be easy to remove. I am going to have him refinish the barrel properly. The really early Italian US 1841s were very nice, Bernadelli, Zoli, etc. Hard to find them now. During the 150th cycle five years ago Watts and I did up a good half dozen or so as we found them. Wish I'd kept one of them for myself like Todd did. The rifling in the barrel of his ancient Bernadelli is still incredibly sharp and deep. That rifle has to be at least 30-35 years old.

This brings up an interesting point as the correct barrel finish is actually built up until you arrest what is actually the rusting of the metal barrel. An excellent commercial product that used to be available was called "Laurel Mountain Forge Barrel Brown and Degreaser." It will brown or blue as desired. The best part is the product also contains a detergent which causes it to resist the oil in your fingerprints. This means that you can apply the solution and card the rusted parts bare-handed, a huge convenience let me tell you as most of us don't have a bluing tank like Watts has in his shop.

I have been looking for a good US 1841 Percussion Rifle for a project piece for at least a year. No luck. The early war events are coming up again.

[mike44thva]

Re: Pedersoli 1841 Rifle

An excellent commercial product that used to be available was called "Laurel Mountain Forge Barrel Brown and Degreaser." It will brown or blue as desired. The best part is the product also contains a detergent which causes it to resist the oil in your fingerprints. This means that you can apply the solution and card the rusted parts bare-handed, a huge convenience let me tell you as most of us don't have a bluing tank like Watts has in his shop.

Its still available Craig.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/388/1/LMF-BROWN

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Pedersoli 1841 Rifle

Hallo!

I have been using it for many years, and having tried just about everything else that was, or is, on the market (short of building a "sweat box."
IMHO, it is about as 'fool proof' as one could hope for. AND, is just as slick for rust-bluing (Enfield barrels or even to get a Period look for other barrels such as Sharps Rifles or Carbines. A pard of mine uses it to redo the bogus modern hot tank blue on Italian revolvers to get a more Period look.)

They also make "Permalyn Gun Stock Finish" which, when cut with Japan Dryer, replicates very well the Period look of a period (not modern BLO) linseed oil hot oil dipped stock. And thanks to the thinning effect and drying effect of the Japan Dryer, one can completely do a stock in a couple or three hours (at room temperature, faster on a warm sunny day) rather than days or weeks.

I will be mixing some up to refinish two WWII Mauser K98k stocks this week.

Curt
.