Bernadelli 1841 questions

[Corey Simmons]

Hello,

New member here. I snagged a Berardelli Mississippi rifle (with the W on the bolster so no exploding) pretty cheap on gun broker. My plan was to eventually get a new whitacre barrel, then send it to lodgewood for defarbing / changing to the colt refurbished rifle pattern. I tend to ask alot of questions before shelling out a lot to start the process. Lodgewood expressed concerns that bernadelli's weren't approved because the stock is too short. I could have sworn I saw they were on the approved list but google searches aren't being my friend right now. Also even if they are stock I understand having any work done means it would need SAC approval after the work. Would this rifle pass if it had work done or would I need to get a longer stock for it on top of everything else. If so I might either get another rifle or just leave this one stock.

Second question which replacement nipples fit these? The stock one it came with seems too small the schutzen musket caps make the nipple hotdog down a hallway loose and only stay put via gravity as there is absolutely no friction between the inner diameter of the cap and the outer diameter of the nipple.

Thanks for helping a newb.

Respectfully,
Corey Simmons

[Muley Gil]

Hello,

New member here. I snagged a Berardelli Mississippi rifle (with the W on the bolster so no exploding) pretty cheap on gun broker. My plan was to eventually get a new whitacre barrel, then send it to lodgewood for defarbing / changing to the colt refurbished rifle pattern. I tend to ask alot of questions before shelling out a lot to start the process. Lodgewood expressed concerns that bernadelli's weren't approved because the stock is too short. I could have sworn I saw they were on the approved list but google searches aren't being my friend right now. Also even if they are stock I understand having any work done means it would need SAC approval after the work. Would this rifle pass if it had work done or would I need to get a longer stock for it on top of everything else. If so I might either get another rifle or just leave this one stock.

Second question which replacement nipples fit these? The stock one it came with seems too small the schutzen musket caps make the nipple hotdog down a hallway loose and only stay put via gravity as there is absolutely no friction between the inner diameter of the cap and the outer diameter of the nipple.

Thanks for helping a newb.

Respectfully,
Corey Simmons

Go to page 3, second listing-Bernadelli. I don't see any mention of stock length.

SAC2023.pdf (squarespace.com) (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54db881ce4b0486db510c47b/t/63cbe4d4bf546769ad06b6e5/1674306772452/SAC2023.pdf)

[Corey Simmons]

Thanks I was starting to think I was going crazy since I checked the approved list before buying it but wasn't finding it today when googling the list which brought up the 2010 list.

[John Bly]

It takes a standard 5/16"-24 nipple. The later Bernadelli 1841 rifles, (not Gold Rush) had a stock approximately the length of the short front band version but they had a long front band. This version is not approved as manufactured.

[Muley Gil]

It takes a standard 5/16"-24 nipple. The later Bernadelli 1841 rifles, (not Gold Rush) had a stock approximately the length of the short front band version but they had a long front band. This version is not approved as manufactured.

So, if you put a short front band on a later Bernadelli model, it would pass the SAC procedure?

[Corey Simmons]

Mine was imported by replica arms

[Muley Gil]

Does it say "Gold Rush Arms" anywhere on it?

[Corey Simmons]

Does it say "Gold Rush Arms" anywhere on it?

Nope. I figured this rule applied "Arms listed by Manufacturer are allowed for use in the N-SSA?s competitive matches regardless of who the Importer or Vendor may be. When an Importer, or Vendor, name is shown it is only as a courtesy indicating that they submitted the arm for Production Approval. For example, a reproduction 1860 Henry Rifle made by Uberti is approved, regardless of the Importer?s name on the barrel" applied.

[Muley Gil]

I'm going to send you a PM.

[hawkeye2]

So, if you put a short front band on a later Bernadelli model, it would pass the SAC procedure?

Yes but not quite that simple. The band has to be located per the dimensions on the SAC sheet and not the wood. The band spring needs to be moved and the actual stock length comes up about 1/8" too short which is hidden by the front band.

[John Bly]

Hawkeye2 is correct, but it will need an individual inspection and any Bernadelli barrel must have the W stamped on the bolster to be legal.

[TCLewis]

Hi,

If you change any of the oem configuration you will need to get a SAC inspection. The stock will need to get stretched, different front band, rear sight, bayonet lug, etc to match a historical M1841 configuration. There are about 12 different combinations of M1841's but once you start tweaking or changing it then if will need those changes. I know because I've been down a similar road with my Bernadelli and it now has a SAC card.

I can send you some information and recommended and known N-SSA gun smiths that can do the work.