Shooting a jezail rifle

Will M · 4th April 2021, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Should not damascus barrels present higher risk of blowing up after a certain period of active shooting? After all, they are composed of multiple layers of steel forged together.
In short, it is better to be a coward for one minute than a corpse for the rest of your life.

Ariel we all become corpses sooner or later! Shooting damascus barrels represents no risk when they are in good condition and loads do not exceed the intended pressures. Use does not hurt them, abuse does.

Battara · 5th April 2021, 12:20 AM

I'm of 2 opposing opinions:

1. I am fascinated by scientific exploration of the shooting of these weapons

2. I am highly cautious because of the aging of metals. I will never shoot off my Moro lantaka cannon because it might be anywhere from 150 - 400 years old and blow up in my face.

(not unknown for some owners of old lantakas who shot off their cannons).

SchildaBrit · 5th April 2021, 11:42 AM

"1. I am fascinated by scientific exploration of the shooting of these weapons

2. I am highly cautious because of the aging of metals. "

I agree with both points, but they are not in opposition. They interact - experimental interest must be tempered by feasibility.

However, before I progress to the (literally!) vital question of safety,may I suggest that those still in doubt about the feasibility of firing old guns acquaint themselves with the worldwide activities of the MLAIC.

I would particularly like to draw your attention to the numerous YouTube contributions of

Balázs Németh

who is the MLAIC Member for Hungary. He has seriously tested a greater variety of old guns than the rest of us are ever likely to see, let alone handle. His contributions can be found via

capandball.com

or a direct search.

Richard G · 5th April 2021, 05:15 PM

This has nothing to do with the physical practicalities of firing old guns, but here, in the UK, we have a bureaucratic problem. Paraphrasing somewhat -
To own and fire a firearm you will have to possess a firearms certificate that entitles you to own firearms and lists the firearms you own. There are hoops to be jumped through and they are not that easy to obtain.
Antique firearms are exempt from this requirement providing they are obsolete and held as curios only.
If you decide to fire it, it is no longer a curio, becomes a working firearm and has to be licensed.
So if you want to sell it you can now only sell to someone who holds a firearms certificate, i,e. licensed to own a firearm.
Of course, you can apply for it to be de-licensed but the authorities are not keen on this flip-flopping. They want an antique firearm to be either an antique or a firearm, not both.
Regards
Richard

5th April 2021, 11:42 AM	#3
SchildaBrit Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 33	Shooting old guns "1. I am fascinated by scientific exploration of the shooting of these weapons 2. I am highly cautious because of the aging of metals. " I agree with both points, but they are not in opposition. They interact - experimental interest must be tempered by feasibility. However, before I progress to the (literally!) vital question of safety,may I suggest that those still in doubt about the feasibility of firing old guns acquaint themselves with the worldwide activities of the MLAIC. I would particularly like to draw your attention to the numerous YouTube contributions of Balázs Németh who is the MLAIC Member for Hungary. He has seriously tested a greater variety of old guns than the rest of us are ever likely to see, let alone handle. His contributions can be found via capandball.com or a direct search. Last edited by SchildaBrit; 5th April 2021 at 11:54 AM. Reason: Spelling!

5th April 2021, 12:20 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,323	I'm of 2 opposing opinions: 1. I am fascinated by scientific exploration of the shooting of these weapons 2. I am highly cautious because of the aging of metals. I will never shoot off my Moro lantaka cannon because it might be anywhere from 150 - 400 years old and blow up in my face. (not unknown for some owners of old lantakas who shot off their cannons).

5th April 2021, 05:15 PM	#4
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 415	This has nothing to do with the physical practicalities of firing old guns, but here, in the UK, we have a bureaucratic problem. Paraphrasing somewhat - To own and fire a firearm you will have to possess a firearms certificate that entitles you to own firearms and lists the firearms you own. There are hoops to be jumped through and they are not that easy to obtain. Antique firearms are exempt from this requirement providing they are obsolete and held as curios only. If you decide to fire it, it is no longer a curio, becomes a working firearm and has to be licensed. So if you want to sell it you can now only sell to someone who holds a firearms certificate, i,e. licensed to own a firearm. Of course, you can apply for it to be de-licensed but the authorities are not keen on this flip-flopping. They want an antique firearm to be either an antique or a firearm, not both. Regards Richard