CaptC Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 (edited) Does anyone know if the breech plug unscrews on this die cast model please? It’s supposed to fire caps but the breech plug looks to be seized. I have soaked it in WD40 and it appears to be to separate parts. NEWS: The breech plug has successfully been seperated - please see the Sales section for photos. A big thankyou to all of you for advice on how to release the two pieces - the hair drier won in the end! Many thanks CaptC Edited April 5, 2023 by CaptC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisdom Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 Can't help you with the answer I'm afraid but it's a belter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 It has it’s original box - a bit tatty but all there. I am sure that the brass breech plug unscrews so that small hands can insert a cap (cut off from a roll) The end of the plug has powder residue. Apparently they could fire a matchstick 20 feet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarecrow243 Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 soak it in diesel over night a lot better than wd40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 1 minute ago, scarecrow243 said: soak it in diesel over night a lot better than wd40 Thanks. Perhaps some gentle heat later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarecrow243 Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 i would not heat it before checking to see if its brass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 Definitely brass. There is a firing pin dead centre so it must unscrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 boiling water ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 3 minutes ago, ditchman said: boiling water ? Now that is a good idea! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr grumpy Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 Hair dryer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 👍 Quote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted April 4, 2023 Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 would love to see some more pics.........it almost looks like a teaching aid for ww2 aa gunners....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2023 I will take some more pictures tomorrow as I have mt chef's hat on this evening as the Memsahib as we have a night off from the the Sprogs as they have gone to The Wicked Witch (mother in law) for the night. The Astra was a toy gun made in the 40's - if I say so myself it was very well made! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted April 5, 2023 Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 found this picture, think its the same as yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 That’s the one! Note that the breech plug is made of brass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted April 5, 2023 Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 (edited) you say you are trying to get the breech plug out? Is that not it in your picture? I presume the firing pin goes through the breech plug and hits the cap, does the firing pin move freely? Edited April 5, 2023 by old'un Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 The brass breech plug comes out easily but close inspection reveals the possibility of it being threaded to allow the insertion of a cap. I tried the boiling water method which didn’t work. Searched the web for information to no avail. Will put up some photos later this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted April 5, 2023 Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 is the firing pin seized? If so apply some heat to the out side of the breech plug and see if it will move, don't over do it else you will snap the brass firing pin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJR1991 Posted April 5, 2023 Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 What do these fire exactly? Would love to blow up a tin foil house haha 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 (edited) They were (I think) made to fire matches propelled by the exploding cap. The “hammer” would not have enough power to propel much. I will measure the bore when I get home from walking the dog. The firing pin appears to be seized which makes me pretty sure the breech plug comes apart. Edited April 5, 2023 by CaptC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 Pictures- breech plug and box. The bore is approximately 4mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted April 5, 2023 Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 Could I please have first dibs should you sort it and it then appears in the Trading Post? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted April 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 PM’d you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.