American 19th century Revolver Parts diagrams...

 

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Under-Hammer Percussion Muzzleloading Pistol

 

I bought an interesting book from Amazon a couple of years ago that is about Under-Hammer Percussion Muzzleloading Pistols and it includes parts diagrams as well as the  history of the designs.

Having the hammer on the underside of the barrel allows for an unobstructed sightline, which made this type of action perfect for precision target shooting.

This illustration shows the most elegantly simple type of underhammer action.

I am considering building a non-shooting, cap gun version of this design once the projects currently filling my workbench are completed.

Colt "Cop & Thug" New Police and the Model 1877 D.A

William Mason was the Colt gun designer behind the legendary model 1873 "Peacemaker", the "New-Line" series of pocket revolvers, which included the "House" &  "Cop & Thug" model pictured here, as well as the Model 1877 double action revolver, pictured below, on the right,  which was Colt's very first double action revolver.

My Firearms Curiosity - Flobert type "in-line" Percussion Muzzleloader Pistol

My Firearms Curiosity:

 .50 caliber Smoothbore Percussion Muzzleloader Pistol

Flobert type Action

10" barrel

Made circa. 1850-1870's

This gun may have began as early as the 1850's as a cartridge firing Flobert Rifle, perhaps one of the 9mm models, and then, perhaps 20 years later, for some reason, it  was remade by a gunsmith, or a skilled hobbyist into this single shot, smoothbore percussion handgun...it's pretty fun using only a percussion cap to shoot  a .50 caliber Nylon/PVC Riot-Ball at targets!

The in-line percussion nipple is very common today with modern muzzleloader rifles, but in the 19th century this design is way ahead of its time.

The grip angle is awkward and I bet it was a real wrist breaker back when it was used to shoot shot & powder loads similar to modern .410 gauge shot loads.

Video clip: my Colt New-Line 32 cal rimfire revolver, the other Colt M1873!

 

I made a brief video clip of my Colt New-Line 32 cal rimfire revolver for my YouTube channel @gk.spinoza

Video: My lovely S&W no.1½ "Tip-up" 32 caliber rimfire Revolver

 

Smith & Wesson began their long line of revolver making with the "Tip-up" spur trigger revolvers like my .32 caliber rimfire model 1½ "New Model" 😎

Forehand Arms Company & American Committee for Defense of British Homes

 

Modern Spur Trigger Revolvers...

Colt & Hood Firearms Co's Pocket Revolvers...

 

19th Century revolver catalog pages

 

New book : "inside the suicide special revolver"

 This book was my own new year surprise, and I am pleased with all the great information the Author has covered!

"Inside the Suicide Special Revolver" is now available @ amazon.ca!

In 1958, Donald B. Webster, JR. wrote and Stackpole Published "Suicide Specials", which was the last book dedicated to this category of Antique revolvers...

I have owned a copy for several years, read  and re-read the 1958 book : Suicide Specials.

This new book on the subject is more historically accurate and delves much further with disassembly photos.