Hoops to be leapt and dosh paid for a cap and ball black powder revolver & FAL.

I’m wanting to obtain an 1850 /51 Navy cap & Ball BP revolver for re-enacting purposes and hoping to pick your brains for knowledge about the advantages / disadvantages involved with Police and finances .

I have identified three methods of obtaining a revolver which would only be used with BP powder, no projectile.

1... Buy for $300 locally a replica non firing . Great for show but that’s all.

2...Buy locally,( hopefully) an original up to $3000. Great for show, would ( dependent on condition) fire BP . No FAL required.
3...Buy locally a modern day replica $900. Great for show, would fire powder .Requires a FAL endorsement. :oh noes:

I think I have identified the “hardware” issues but know little about the hoops to be leapt as regards the FAL apart from it being an “C” endorsement on my A which I have held for 20+ years. I also have a number of relevant 1800’s A cat firearms to add credence to any application. NOT looking at a “Theatrical” category as I will not be running such events.
I seek your opinions on what I face for a C endorsement bearing in mind the apparent hostile official attitudes to anybody having any FAL’s,
Thank You.

To be able to shoot it with blank loads for re-enacting, your only lawful option is '3'. An original black powder firearm possessed without license as an 'antique' may not be fired (blank or otherwise). An original BP pistol that you wished to use with blank loads for re-enacting would have to be on a 'C' license. It is stupid to use a valuable original when a stronger replica is much cheaper. You don't actually need a theatrical endorsement if the event is under the control of someone who is appropriately licensed. Your C endorsement would allow you to own it and carry it to such events (appropriately secured in a lockable container).

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Originally Posted by gundoc

............................. An original black powder firearm possessed without license as an 'antique' may not be fired (blank or otherwise)..................

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Ahhhhh. Thank you for that clarification. A perspective i had not considered.

Do you have a view on the practicality / ease / difficulty of obtaining a "C" under the current regime?

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Originally Posted by Kiwi Sapper

Ahhhhh. Thank you for that clarification. A perspective i had not considered.

Do you have a view on the practicality / ease / difficulty of obtaining a "C" under the current regime?

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Ru a member of NZ antique arms ?

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Originally Posted by Maca49

Ru a member of NZ antique arms ?

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Ummmmmmm No.

I have considered that in the past but being "your average lazy bugger" have not rattled my dags sufficiently to do so. (if they would accept me)

As the interest is strong, to date I have been "sucking on the teat" of the British Militaria Forums. Why asketh thou? Would /could that accrue me some "brownie points" in Constable Plod's biased eyes?

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Originally Posted by Kiwi Sapper

Ummmmmmm No.

I have considered that in the past but being "your average lazy bugger" have not rattled my dags sufficiently to do so. (if they would accept me)

As the interest is strong, to date I have been "sucking on the teat" of the British Militaria Forums. Why asketh thou? Would /could that accrue me some "brownie points" in Constable Plod's biased eyes?

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Being a member of the NZ Antique & Historical Arms Assn is definitely a plus when it comes to getting your C endorsement as it helps to establish your 'bona fide collector' status. It also has the advantage of being in contact with like-minded people.

As I understand it you would need to get a B if you want to fire it regularly/ at all

My C license says no functioning firearms the way I read it, happy to be corrected

B means a min of 12 range visits a year and an unofficial limit of 12 pistols on your B (unlimited on C) but they stretch that for black powder in recognition that they aren't a primary homicide weapon of choice

If you have your eye on a particular piece and you want someone to hold it for you drop me a pm - I don't have an interest in BP pistols but have room if you want someone to keep it for you for a while

It'll usually take around 4 plus months to get your B in my experience and, as ever, when applying for ANY endorsement apply for AS MANY endorsements as possible - same price if you do two at once

also another recommend on joining Antique Arms - nice bunch the few I've met

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Originally Posted by 308

As I understand it you would need to get a B if you want to fire it regularly/ at all

My C license says no functioning firearms the way I read it, happy to be corrected

B means a min of 12 range visits a year and an unofficial limit of 12 pistols on your B (unlimited on C) but they stretch that for black powder in recognition that they aren't a primary homicide weapon of choice

If you have your eye on a particular piece and you want someone to hold it for you drop me a pm - I don't have an interest in BP pistols but have room if you want someone to keep it for you for a while

It'll usually take around 4 plus months to get your B in my experience and, as ever, when applying for ANY endorsement apply for AS MANY endorsements as possible - same price if you do two at once

also another recommend on joining Antique Arms - nice bunch the few I've met

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No, the B endorsement is for pistol club only. A C endorsement provides for pistols and restricted weapons (MG's & SMG's) to be used with blank ammunition for a theatrical event (eg; play, television or cinematic production. Re-enactment comes under the definition of 'play).

What Ho Chaps,

My thanks for your responses. Option 3 it seems to be,

I have "set fire to my socks and set off hot foot" to join the Taranaki branch of the NZ Antique & Historical Arms Assn...................if they will have me.

Any further opinions on how to pursue my negotiations with Constable Plod would be gratefully received.

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Originally Posted by Kiwi Sapper

What Ho Chaps,

My thanks for your responses. Option 3 it seems to be,

I have "set fire to my socks and set off hot foot" to join the Taranaki branch of the NZ Antique & Historical Arms Assn...................if they will have me.

Any further opinions on how to pursue my negotiations with Constable Plod would be gratefully received.

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Just tell them as it is. You've got a genuine interest judging by your dress sense. Just don't open the door to them like this...

Attachment 134935

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Originally Posted by Cordite

Just tell them as it is. You've got a genuine interest judging by your dress sense. Just don't open the door to them like this...

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Your post is appreciated but it is unlikely, as I have always rejected offers of promotion to Sergeant

Your Humble Servant ,
Private Parts, ( Retd.)
5 th Mounted Gorgonzola's,
North Cheam Division.

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Originally Posted by gundoc

No, the B endorsement is for pistol club only. A C endorsement provides for pistols and restricted weapons (MG's & SMG's) to be used with blank ammunition for a theatrical event (eg; play, television or cinematic production. Re-enactment comes under the definition of 'play).

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Gundoc's forgotten more than I'll ever know so wot e said

As for dealing with plod remember that they can only go on what you say so don't say much

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Originally Posted by Kiwi Sapper

Your post is appreciated but it is unlikely, as I have always rejected offers of promotion to Sergeant

Your Humble Servant ,
Private Parts, ( Retd.)
5 th Mounted Gorgonzola's,
North Cheam Division.

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North Cheam

I lived there for a while.

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Originally Posted by Kiwi Sapper

Ummmmmmm No.

I have considered that in the past but being "your average lazy bugger" have not rattled my dags sufficiently to do so. (if they would accept me)

As the interest is strong, to date I have been "sucking on the teat" of the British Militaria Forums. Why asketh thou? Would /could that accrue me some "brownie points" in Constable Plod's biased eyes?

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I’d sign ya form!

I’ll PM you the name of the guy you need to contact if you are in Taranaki?

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Originally Posted by norsk

North Cheam I lived there for a while.

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Yes, i remember you,,,,,,,,,,,,,You were the one wearing the hat.

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Originally Posted by Kiwi Sapper

Yes, i remember you,,,,,,,,,,,,,You were the one wearing the hat.

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On the Bus,one rainy February morning?

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Originally Posted by Maca49

I’ll PM you the name of the guy you need to contact if you are in Taranaki?

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Wanganui.(without an H) actually . pm on it's way to you

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Originally Posted by norsk

On the Bus,one rainy February morning?

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That's right..........I thought there was something familiar about you, but to this day I still don't believe that Lady was your wife.:D

Not that hard to get a B, and the endorsement for both B and C is the same as if you just went for one. Join the local black powder club too, this will give you somewhere to shoot your cap and ball, and have a heap of fun with the holy black! You could come further over the the dark side and take up cowboy shooting- as a Canadian loyalist presumably - period gear around 1860s to 1910s works fine, but you will need one of those newfangled repeater metallic rifles! n We shoot a lot of black powder in cowboy. It is a faff for six months getting the licensing tidy, but after that, pretty straightforward. You have legitimate reasons - history collector, and as a sporting gent! :)

ps., you won't have to spend $900 to get a good cap and ball. Budget 500 for a second hand one, and remember you will need a possibles kit, powder, caps, balls,lube, wads, a starter and cleaning gear, black is very dirty, but hot soapy water sorts it fine.

What Ho.
Thanks for the time taken to reply. However, there is no BP club in Wanganui without an H.

It seems to have fizzled out after I arrived 4 years ago.................Not that I had the Bug then nor had anything contact with them then .........so I hope I wasn't to blame :>)

Following advice given above by Maca49 I sent an email on 3 April to the named contact of the Taranaki branch of the NZ Antique & Historical Arms Assn seeking to join and improve my credence but I have been ignored .

Further, being as non competitive as a Buddhist Monk, I would find it tiresome having to attend "competitions" at a "club" 12 times a year just to show Constable Plod how non competitive and a bad shot I was just to be able to have a BP ball revolver.

Currently tiring of the Devil farting in my face so am following the non firing path for a revolver and concentrating on my MH, Snider and BP shotgun.