Powder charge?

[OLDER THEN DIRT]

Hi folks. I just got a replica .36 cal 5 shot police pocket pistol. It`s a new-old one & never been fired. Sorry to say, no paper work with it. So my question is, how many grains of 3F BP should I load in it? Thanks in advance.

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[Patrick Chadwick]

So my question is, how many grains of 3F BP should I load in it?

If there is no proof mark - none.

However, the chances are that it is an Italian replica, in which case it should have a maker's mark and a 2-letter proof code. Please post details of all marks (an importer's mark is not sufficient), and I may be able to tell you who made it and when. And then one might think about firing it.

[OLDER THEN DIRT]

Patrick, hope this helps. It`s made by A.S.M. in Italy, & black powder only stamped on side of barrel. On the bottom of barrel is stamped PN & what looks like a crown in a box & another stamping I can`t make out what it is. It came with a "sales order" from E.M.F. CO. INCORP. & a EMF warning paper on how to handle firearms, but nothing on what kind of charge to load in it. By the way, i`m a BP shooter & have 3 other replica 44`s & a Ruger Old Army 45 that I shoot. Thanks again.

[Patrick Chadwick]

OK, like I guessed, an Italian Replica

A.S.M. = Armi San Marco

PM = Polvere Nero (black powder) + Italian proof stamp (probably the Gardone proof house)
this should be followed by EITHER a ROman numeral (X to XXX for 1954 to 1974) OR a 2-letter date code AA... or BA...
Not all letters were used, so I cannot tell you the proof date unless you can read both letters.

And please take "Black Powder Only" seriously. This is a BP replica from a vintage when there was a lot of jumping on the BP bandwagon, with a lot of guns being produced that, to put it gently, were not of A1 quality. So do not conduct any nitro experiments!

As to load: Swiss No 2 / FFFg is appropriate. For a .36 revolver you will not need more than about 10-12 grains. As always, start low and work up. As you already shoot other BP revolvers, I don't need to tell you any more!