Pedersoli 1860 Volunteer
Davide Pedersoli & Co. S.r.l. · Rifle · In Production
Also known as: Pedersoli Volunteer Target Rifle, 1860 Volunteer Target Rifle, Volunteer Rifle, Pedersoli S182
Overview
The Pedersoli 1860 Volunteer is a modern Italian reproduction of the British Volunteer-pattern percussion target rifle of the early 1860s. Chambered in .451 caliber and loaded from the muzzle, it fires by a percussion cap on the nipple of a case-hardened side lock. The rifle carries a 33-inch blued barrel with five-groove 1:21 rifling, a full walnut stock, an adjustable Creedmoor (vernier) rear sight and a tunnel front sight, giving it the long sight radius and heavy 4.1 kg mass favored for long-range black-powder competition. Built by Davide Pedersoli in Gardone Val Trompia, it recreates the guns used by the Victorian Volunteer rifle movement in matches at Wimbledon and other ranges.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1230 mm (48.43") |
| Barrel Length | 838 mm (32.99") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 3 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 533 mm (20.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .451 Caliber · primary — also known as .451, 11.45mm, .45 caliber muzzleloader
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Rifled Barrel, Muzzle Loaded, Percussion Cap, Creedmoor Rear Sight, Tunnel Front Sight, Case Hardened Lock, Walnut Stock, Ramrod, Target Rifle
Service history
Operators
- Muzzleloading target and reenactment shooters
Production
Current-production reproduction manufactured by Davide Pedersoli & Co.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Notes
Modern black-powder reproduction (Pedersoli model S182), not an original antique. Manufacturer lists barrel length 838 mm (33 in), overall length 1,230 mm (48 7/16 in), weight about 4.1 kg (8.82 lb), .451 caliber with 5-groove rifling at a 1:21 twist. Fitted with a Creedmoor-type adjustable rear sight and tunnel front sight. Effective and maximum range figures are approximate, reflecting the long-range target role of the original Volunteer rifles.
Background
The original Volunteer rifles arose from Britain's 1859 Volunteer movement, when riflemen bought privately-made .451 target rifles from makers like Whitworth and Rigby to compete at the newly founded National Rifle Association meetings at Wimbledon Common.