[Hard Ball]

It is a single shot .54 caliber cap and ball pistolmade by Astion and used primarily by the United States Dragoons in the Mexican War. It used a 230 grain soft lead round ball and 40 grains of black powder. All shots were center of nass at ten yards.
Great balls of fire and clouds of smoke. A lot of fun to shoot.

 

[41mag]

http://www.prices4antiques.com/itemsummary/8964.htm
One like this?
I've often wondered how that stock felt when shooting .It looks so awkward.Did you have to do a lot of wiggling to get it aimed correctly?& did it stand right up in your hand upon firing?

Irregardless,it sounds like you had some fun!

 

[RIKA]

What a thrill. If only that pistol could talk about its history. Glad you enjoyed it.

RIKA

 

[Hard Ball]

Yes 41mag, that's the one. The stock workd very well for close range point shooting, It does slip back thru your habd and points up at about 45 degrees, bur since you have to reload before you cab shoot again, They were often carried in pairs by US Dragoons for a "NYPD reload".

 

[Terry G]

Hard Ball, that is really cool. I've been playing around with a replica Colt 1860 .44 Army, and once you work up the right load, they are pretty accurate. I have never shot a smooth bore pistol. Can you hit a 3/4 silohoutte at much past ten yards? I know the cavalry of the day thought three times past sword range was adequate.

 

[Hard Ball]

I'm nor sure Terry. On the range probably yes. Ten yards was the maximum rahge te Dragoons practiced at, but that was for mounted combat.