19th century Revolver Advertising never fails to amuse!!!

 Prior to 1900, life for the average person living in America  was extremely difficult and nothing at all like today.

 Feral dogs roamed in packs and when mass production made  the bicycle affordable, more people were able to pedal further and expand their "world", but also increase their chances of facing dangerous situations during a time when an infected cut may be lethal.

Today, some ads like the first one here would cause outrage among the public, but in 1880, it would have been perfectly normal and understandable.

19th Century Revolver & Pistol Catalog Advertising

 In the USA, Between 1870 and 1900 there was a surge in firearm development and methods of mass production were also perfected. 

Here are a few examples of civilian self-defense revolvers available to the public during the last quarter of the 19th century....

The next ad is for Colt's "New Line" Revolvers, of which I own one of the .32 cal. rimfire models. The .32 cal is the top right in the advertisement and the price was $11.

H&K MP7 "Break barrel" pellet gun???

Umarex has announced the upcoming release of this interesting single shot break barrel pellet gun that looks a lot like the H&K MP-7...I assume that anyone who loves the Buckmark URX 177 pistol would also love this pellet gun.

 

Grizzly Ranger/Artemis LP400 Pneumatic Pellet Pistol

 

I have a soft spot for inexpensive, low power pellet pistols, and so when I saw an Ad asking $30 for this nearly new air pistol on a buy&sell website,  I bought it without a second thought.

I would prefer the .22 cal model, with its muzzle velocity of 210 fps, but this .177 cal shooting up to 270 fps will still be fine for some discreet, living room plinking & chronograph testing.

This is the type of air pistol that really benefits from Crosman's lead-free lightweight 5.4 grain pellets. They are a great choice of non-toxic pellet for indoor shooting, and the low powered airguns usually perform much better with these, than with heavier lead pellets.

It does look like an M1911. 

Spring is the start of the Airgun season!

 As the weather warms up, CO2 Airguns perform best!

I like the Crosman model 2240, and will probably gas up my customized pistol.

These aren't CO2, but they sure are nice air rifles. L-R: Crosman 1400, Sheridan CBW Blue Streak, Benjamin model 317.

Obsolete Rimfire Cartridge Ammunition

 

Revolvers & Pistols of the 19th century

 

Some of my favorite 19th century American pistol & revolver advertising catalogs...

The revolver on the top left is a Norwich Pistol Co. "PROTECTOR" , just like the one which I own, and the "Charles J. Godfrey" Wholesale price list is dated :August 1, 1889.