Showing posts with label Percussion Rifles and Pistols. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Percussion Rifles and Pistols. Show all posts

Harvey .50 Percussion Pistol

Harvey .50 Percussion Pistol made by William James Harvey has no external hammer, is double action and this one has a carbine stock. Another interesting feature is the sights, the rear sight has folding leaves for 100, 200, 300, and 400, you can see them all raised in the picture.

Hall Breech Loading Rifle, Americas first breech loader

"The Hall Rifle was the first breechloader adopted by the U.S Military and the first rifle made with fully interchangeable parts. The 1833 Hall Carbine was the first new arm adopted that used a percussion cap." -Excerpt from NRA American Rifleman Nov/Dec 1998


A Little History - The United States was the first country to adopt a breech loading rifle, the Hall. Though little know today, the Hall rifles and carbines played a significant role in the development of our republic. On A general scale America tended to copy other country's rifle designs, for example the Springfield 1903 was patterned after the German Mauser. Taking the lead by issuing A breech loading rifle was a big step for the U.S. military. The weapon the Hall replaced was the Brown Bess Musket. As most people know, the only advantage to shooting a smoothbore musket, is that it was faster than the Kentucky Rifle to load. But the rifle was accurate from 300-600 yards.

How the Hall Works - And this is where the Hall Rifle came into play, being a breechloader it was able to load much faster than the older style Kentucky Rifle. And the Hall Rifle used a percussion cap rather than a priming pan. The breechblock was hinged at the back of the rifle, and the release was positioned under the rifle, in front of the trigger guard. Once popped up the ball and powder were rammed back into the tilted breech, then the breech was shut, a percussion cap applied to the nipple, and the rifle was ready to fire! If you are interested in buying one of these highly collectible Hall Rifles or carbines your best bet is checking Gunbroker.com

Fordyce Beals & Remington 24 Shot Revolver

Revolving cylinder percussion pistol. 24 shot cylinder has 2 banks of chambers. A double loading rammer is located beneath the barrel. The barrel pivots to fire either the outside or the inside bank of chambers. Design attributed to Fordyce Beals and possibly manufactured by Remington.

Owen Jones Two Barrel Revolver

Patented by Owen Jones, shoots either .22 Rimfire or .32 Rimfire. Extra cylinder stores inside of the handle. The barrel on this extremely unique pistol actually rotates rather than the cylinder! The second and third models were improved to tip up, then rotate. It's unknown where they were manufactured at, but the educated guesser's say that it was probably made by Deringer Rifle and Pistol Works of Philadelphia around 1875.

Unknown Deringer Style "Phild" Pistols

Deringer style percussion pistols in .40 caliber. Probably manufactured at about 1840. There are no markings on the guns except "Phild". Indicating that the maker was from Philadelphia and he didn't mark his work intentionally, to avoid trouble with the Deringer Company. Cap storage is in the butt.

M. Tidd Percussion Target Rifle

Target rifle by M. Tidd of Woburn MA made in the period of 1855-1858. 11 lb Rifle in .35/.36 caliber with adjustable sights. German silver "furniture" inlet and mother of pearl gambling chip on the cheekpiece.

Dan B. Wesson Percussion Target Pistols "American Duelers"

Long barreled Target Pistols manufacture by Dan B. Wesson (founder of Smith & Wesson) in the shop of Ed Wesson during the time period of 1840-1845. These guns are affectionately named "American Duelers"

Kunz Air Rifle & Shotgun

Kunz of Philadelphia cased combination shotgun and air rifle. The shotgun has an external percussion hammer and the air rifle has an internal mechanism. Made during the early 1800's. The threaded rod is used as a brace to pump up the air reservoir.

Mershon and Hollingsworth Revolving Automatic Rifle

Mershon and Hollingsworth revolving cylinder automatic rifle. Patented in 1855. A spring mechanisim automatically fired and rotated the cylinder. The trigger could be locked in back position for full automatic fire. To wind up the spring, a ratchet lever is located just behind the receiver. Six shot percussion .40 caliber.

Waters 1836 Flint lock & Ames 1843 Percussion

Top Pistol is a Waters Millbury Model 1836 Flintlock Pistol made for the US Army.
Bottom Pistol is an Ames 1843 Percussion Box Lock pattern made for the US Navy.