LOADER FOR BABY DRAGOON

Bamavol

I noticed that 2 each 31 cal Colt baby dragoons recently sold on Gun Broker. I was interested but they went for more than I could go. It got me thinking. I like the look of these guns because the have no ram mechanism. So, does anyone sell a ramer that will seat the ball with out removing the cylinder? Is there a need for such a tool?

allen griggs

I don't know of a loader that will work without removing the cylinder. You do need some kind of tool to load this gun because you are cramming the bullet into the cylinder, and you should be shaving a little lead "donut" off as you do.
I have a loading device made by Uberti that works pretty well, and I have a homemade one that also works well.

Bamavol

I posted this topic because I think that a pocket tool could be made that would load with out disassembly. If so, would there be a market for it. Where can you buy the loading tool that requires disassembly? What did it cost?

allen griggs

https://www.vtigunparts.com/ab2240000Equick/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=145&cat=Black+Powder++Wrenches+&+Tools

CAL01 Uberti .31 bench top loading tool, $30

powdersmoke

Some gunmakers used to supply a ramming tool for these pistols. I've made one myself of brass for a BP revolver I had (since sold it with the pistol). Not hard to do if you have access to a lathe.

rgerge

Get a .31 remington, great little guns!![;)]

powdersmoke

Had a 31 cal Remington pocket. Bad design on the loading lever. Broke twice at the pivot pin. I was using .310 diameter ball if I remember me correctly. Talked to a gunsmith and his opinion was they are for show not for go. He repaired several of them at every re-enactment. I don't know if I'll own another. I did notice someone makes an all steel model, perhaps its better made.

ken44-40

I dont believe there is any way to load the cylinder on a Baby Dragoon without at least taking the barrel off. A loading tool like the one for the Paterson could be used. Other than that, there isn't enough clearance to load the cylinder with the pistol fully assembled. The chamber mouth is always obstructed, at least a little, by the barrel. They were originally designed to be disassembled and loaded using the arbor to push the ball into the cylinder.

Ken(who likes the little Baby Dragoons too)44-40

Graywolff

Hello Bamavol, Your interest in a baby dragoon is well taken. They are a fairly rare colt. There was a brass ram loader manufactured for the baby dragoon in the late 1840's. It is more rare than the gun itself. It would only be appropriate to place this with an original Baby dragoon usually cased. The loader actually costs more than a second generation baby dragoon.
I just was fortunate to acquire such a tool. I have not had time to see if it fits a wells Fargo which I have but I do not yet have a baby dragoon of the proper condition.
The gun must be disassembled to load as the Wells Fargo.One reason why it was not a popular selection. I will be researching it more

madcratebuilder

The pocket frame Colts without a loading lever were loaded buy removing the cylinder and using the end of the arbor to ram the ball. Some revolvers without a loading lever had a hole drilled in the barrel lug to accommodate a brass rod, called a "Mushroom" to ram the ball with the cylinder in the frame.