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A N I L L U S T R AT E D H I S TO RY
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A N I L L U S T R AT E D H I S TO RY
FIREARMS
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CONTENTSINTRODUCTION 8
BEFORE THE FLINTLOCK(UP TO 1650)
Early cannon 12
Field and naval artillery 14
Naval cannon 16
Harquebuses 20
Early matchlock guns 22
Showcase: Matchlock musket 24
Turning point: Ready-to-re guns 26Sporting long guns 28
European hunting guns 30
Early pistols and carbines 32
Combination weapons 34
THE FLINTLOCK YEARS(16501830)
Turning point: Guns for all 38
Early intlock guns 40
Flintlock pistols (16501700) 42
LONDON, NEW YORK, MELBOURNE,MUNICH, AND DELHI
First American Edition, 2014Published in the United States by
DK Publishing4th floor, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014
14 15 16 17 18 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 100118751804/14
Copyright 2014 Dorling Kindersley LimitedAll rights reserved
Without limiting the r ights under copyright reserved above, no part of thispublication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission
of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited.
A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.ISBN: 978-1-4654-1605-6
DK books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for salespromotions, premiums, fund-raising, or educational use. For details, contact:
DK Publishing Special Markets, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014
Printed and bound in China by Leo Paper Products
Includes material previously published in Gun, Weapon, and Military History.
Discover more atwww.dk.com
DK INDIA
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Liz Wheeler
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CONTRIBUTORSPrimary Consultant
Consultants
Graeme Rimer
Herbert G. Houze, Peter Smithurst,Philip Wilkinson, Christopher Henry
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Flintlock pistols (170175) 44
Flintlock pistols (17761800) 46
Flintlock pistols (180130) 48
Muskets (16501769) 52
Muskets (17701830) 54
Flintlock ries, carbines, and shotguns (16501760) 56Flintlock ries, carbines, and blunderbusses (17611830) 58
Showcase: Baker rie 60
Great gunsmiths: Springeld Armory 62
European hunting guns 64
Field and siege artillery (16501780) 66
Field and siege artillery (17811830) 68
Naval guns 70
Asian rearms (16501780) 72
Asian rearms (17811830) 74
Ottoman rearms 78
Turning point: Fail-safe guns 80
Early percussion guns 82
THE AGE OF CHANGE (183080)
Percussion-cap pistols 86
American percussion-cap revolvers 88
Showcase: Colt Navy revolver 90
British percussion-cap revolvers 92
Great gunsmiths: Colt 94
Muskets and ries (183152) 96
Turning point: Practical ries 98
Showcase: Eneld ried musket 100Muskets and ries (185370) 102
Showcase: Le Page sporting gun 104
Visual tour: Dreyse needle-re rie 108
Breech-loading carbines 110
Turning point: Self-contained cartridges 112
Single-shot breech-loading ries 114
Manually operated repeating ries 116
Great gunsmiths: Winchester 118
Breech-loading shotguns 120
Sporting ries 122
Metallic-cartridge pistols (185370) 124
Metallic-cartridge revolvers (187179) 126
Great gunsmiths: Smith and Wesson 128
Muzzle-loading artillery 132
Breech-loading artillery 134
Early machine-guns 136
Visual tour: Gatling gun 138
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Introduction
8 I N T R O D U C T I O N
THROUGHOUT THEIR HISTORY, rearms have had a profound effect on human activity.Created to wage war, guns soon provided a means for hunting and defending life and property.
They also helped sustain traditions of target shooting that began with bows and arrows.
The rst rearms appeared in China in the Middle Ages. At the time, gunpowder was already
being used to create explosives. The Chinese discovered that by putting some of this powder, and
a projectile, into a metal tube, and then igniting the powder, they could propel the projectilewith enormous force. So, as far as we can tell, the rst guns were born. While the earliest guns
were artillery pieces, portable handguns were not far behind. Personal arms would never be
the same again.
For several centuries, guns remained simple metal tubes, loaded at the muzzle and ring
spherical balls of lead or stone, propelled by burning gunpowder. At rst, they were red
manually by smoldering match-cord, but later, mechanical devices called locks ignited the
powder, freeing the hands to concentrate on aiming. Matchlocks, and then wheel-locks and
intlocks, made guns quicker and simpler to re.The 19th century saw the greatest advances in the development and manufacture
of rearms in their entire history. Muskets developed into ries, smoothbore artillery evolved
into ried weapons, gunpowder was replaced by smokeless powder, and muzzle-loading gave
way to breech-loading. Fulminatescompounds that exploded when struckwere discovered,
and for the rst time, guns would re reliably even in the rain. Fulminates would eventually
be incorporated into self-contained metal cartridges, loadable in an instant from magazines.
Arms manufacturers such as Samuel Colt pioneered technologies for mass-producing
guns with precision-made interchangeable parts, creating a blueprint for how rearms wouldcome to be manufactured. The turn of the 20th century saw the almost universal adoption of
repeaters, self-loading pistols, and machine-guns. With evolving rearms technology, military
tactics also changed forever.
Firearms development has consistently pushed the limits of available manufacturing
technology and spurred the creation of new materials. Modern manufacturers utilize materials
such as plastics and pressed steel to build guns using computer-controlled production processes.
Todays designs still owe much to earlier periods. Many modern revolvers, pistols, and ries
are rooted in the genius of their 19th-century designers. This book provides a fascinating visualsurvey of rearms, from their earliest forms until the present day. It celebrates the inspiration
of great rearms designers and also the traditional craftsmanship that is still vital for the
creation of ne sporting guns.
GRAEME RIMERCONSULTANT
COLT MODEL 1911
(TOOLROOM MODEL,
DISASSEMBLED VIEW)
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I N T R O D U C T I O N 9
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GERMAN WHEEL-LOCK RIFLE
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UP TO 1650
BEFORE THE
FLINTLOCK
A gunlock, or ring mechanism, ignites propellantgunpowderto re aprojectile down the barrel of a gun. At rst, rearms had no special mechanismfor igniting the charge, just a smoldering hemp-cord to light the gunpowder.Then the development of gunlocks such as the matchlock and wheel-lockandultimately the intlockmechanisms made guns quicker and easier to re.
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12 B E F O R E T H E F L I N T L O C K ( U P T O 1 6 5 0 )
EARLY CANNONThe gun was rst developed in medieval China. Withthe invention of gunpowder, blacksmiths there attemptedto create a tube strong enough to contain its explosions.In the early 14th century, craftsmen in China, and then inEurope, made cannon by casting them in bronze. Shortlyafterward, blacksmiths began to build cannon by assemblingthem from strips of wrought iron. The strips, or staves, ranlengthwise, and heated iron bands were placed around them.On cooling, the bands shrank, binding the strips tightly toform the bore of the cannon, a little like wooden staves form a
wooden barrel. Early cannon were mostly loaded at the muzzle,with gunpowder and balls carved from stone. A vent in thebarrel of the cannon allowed the gunpowder to be ignited,usually with a smoldering match-cord.
In the 1400s, large siege guns were knownas bombards. The stone balls they hurledwere loaded through the muzzle after thegunpowder charge. Flanders, where this
bombard was made, had a strong traditionof gunmaking, particularly during thereign of Charles the Bold (143377).
FLEMISH BOMBARDDate Early 15th centuryOrigin FlandersLength Not knownCaliber Not known
Lifting ring Muzzle
Towingeye
BOXTED BOMBARDDate c.1450Origin EnglandLength 734ft (2.4m)Caliber13in (230mm)
As with most types of early gun,bombards had a narrow powderchamber and a wider bore. Thishelped to concentrate the force ofthe exploding gunpowder and tofocus it behind the center of the ball.
Powder chamberin breech
Wrought-iron barrelmade of bands and staves
Liftingring
Vent for ignitinggunpowder
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Muzzle lostthrough corrosion
Forged-iron barrel
Elaborate sight block holds blades ofvarying heights for different ranges
Wrought-iron barrel
Modern reproduction of wooden tiller,used to aim the weapon
Cord binding
Match-holderto holdsmolderingmatch-cord
Trigger
Woodenstock
Hooped ironbarrel
Lock and furniture madeof brass to resist corrosion
Pan holds a quantity of gunpowder, which isignited by a smoldering match-cord to lightthe main gunpowder charge in the barrel
Muzzle ring
Touchhole
14 B E F O R E T H E F L I N T L O C K ( U P T O 1 6 5 0 )
FIELD AND NAVAL ARTILLERYArtilleryguns that are too big and heavy to be red by handinclude not only cannon but also smaller weapons such as swivel guns. Whilethe design of early artillery used on land or at sea was similar, guns made forships had to meet special requirementsspace aboard ships is limited andthe risk of re considerable. Guns mounted on a pivotswivel gunsweredeveloped to increase the maneuverability of artillery. Light versions ofswivel guns were created for naval use, and these guns could be t ontosockets on the sides of ships. This helped to stabilize the guns when ringand to absorb recoil. Although most naval guns were muzzle-loading, loadingthe charge in the breech of the guns barrel rather than in the muzzle, or
breech-loading, made these guns easier to load. This was a useful feature,because it was impractical to reload a muzzle-loader whose muzzleprojected from the side of the ship. Field and naval artillery graduallybegan to use balls of iron and lead rather than stone.
Hand-cannon were really small-scale versions of cannon and were deployed in thesame way, but unlike true artillery they were small enough to be carried and red
by one user. Their muzzle-loading barrels were attached to wooden tillers. Smallhand-cannon were used in naval and land warfare, but they were difficult to aim.The user had to hold the gun, look where he was aiming, direct the gun using atiller, and then place a burning match-cord into a small amount of gunpowderaround a touchholea vent at the rear of the barrel. On ignition, this primingpowder would re the main gunpowder charge in the breech of the barrel.
ENGLISHHAND-CANNONDate 1480Origin EnglandBarrel Not knownCaliber Not known
SWEDISH SWIVEL GUNDate c.1500Origin SwedenMaterial IronShot Round or grapeshot
Swivel guns rst appeared in the late14th century. Unlike xed cannon,which could only re in one direction,they provided an arc of re, and weremainly breech-loading. This modelwould have been mounted on a boator a building and would often beloaded with grapeshotsmall ballsof iron and lead.
FULL VIEW
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Elaboratelydecorated barrel
Small-borebarrel
Widelyared muzzle
Bronze barrel
Astragals (decorative moldings)
Dolphin-shapedlifting handles
Ornamental gureof pouncing lion
Decoration depicting arms ofPrince Maurice of the Netherlands
BRONZE DEMI-CULVERINDate 1636Origin FranceLength 912ft (2.92m)
Caliber4.3in (110mm)
BRONZE DEMI-CANNONDate 1643Origin FlandersLength10ft (3.12m)Caliber6in (152mm)
MALAYSIANBRONZE SAKERDate c.1650Origin MalaysiaLength7ft (2.29m)Caliber3.5in (89mm)
This naval version of a demi-culverin, a medium-sized cannon,was cast for Cardinal Richelieu,chief minister to King Louis XIII
of France, who reorganized theFrench eet and established afoundry at Le Havre.
This demi-cannon, a heavypiece designed for naval use,was cast in the famous Flemishgun-foundry at Malines. It wascapable of ring heavy shot,which could cause devastatingdamage at short range.
Sakers were light cannondesigned for long-range attack.This ornate model was castin Malacca, Malaysia, by localcraftsmen who probablyfollowed a Dutch model.
N A V A L C A N N O N 17
Trunnion
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EARLY MATCHLOCKGUNSThe matchlock was an early ring mechanismforhandheld guns. It featured a devicethe serpentinethatheld a piece of smoldering match-cord. Upon pulling thetrigger, the serpentine plunged the match-cord into a pancarrying priming powder. Ignition of the priming powderproduced a ash, which ignited the main charge via a ventin the side of the barrel. Firing the gun by just pulling atrigger or squeezing a lever allowed the rer to focus on thetarget by looking down the barrel. Early matchlock guns
were muzzle-loading. A wooden rod called a ramrod wasused to ram the gunpowder charge and ball into the breech.
Henry VIII of England ordered 1,500 ofthese guns from the Venetian Republic in1544. A year later, some of them wereaboard his agship, the Mary Rose,when it sank. Experiments haveshown that their ammunitioncould penetrate up to in (6mm)of steel at 30 yards (27m).
SNAPPING MATCHLOCKDate c.1540Origin ItalyBarrel42in (105cm)Caliber.47in (12mm)
Decorativebrass inlay
Brasslock plate
Trigger guard
Small of stockts in hand
Trigger guard
Lock plate
Pan cover Serpentinematch-holder
Shoulder stock
Brass serpentinespring
Trigger
Serpentine match-holder is shaped
like an S and resembles a snake
Brass serpentine match-holder is forward-facing
22 B E F O R E T H E F L I N T L O C K ( U P T O 1 6 5 0 )
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24 B E F O R E T H E F L I N T L O C K ( U P T O 1 6 5 0 )
MUSKET RESTThe earliest military matchlockswere very heavy and required theuse of a rest. The rest itself had to beof sturdy design, and this increasedthe gunners load. By about 1650,guns had become light enough thatrests were no longer needed.
Sling isdecorative
as well asfunctional
Socket forwooden staff
Trigger
Curled armof rest
Triggerguard
Comb of stock assistsin bringing shoulder
to axis of recoil
FULL VIEW
Nozzle withoutmeasuring device
POWDER FLASKThis ask is made of wood,covered in fabric, and has an
outer iron frame. Originallyits nozzle would have had a
thumb-operated shutterat its base, which was used
to measure the individualcharges of gunpowder
for a musket.
MATCHLOCK MUSKETWhile the matchlock musket was a signicant improvementover the hand-cannon, it was still a very clumsy weapon.Even in dry weather the match could be extinguished alltoo easily, and its glowing end was a giveaway at night. The
best models were, however, surprisingly accurate and werecapable of killing a man at 109 yards (100m) or more.
SHOWCASE
MATCHLOCK MUSKET
In the late 16th century, the harquebus (see p.20) developed into a typeof matchlock musket that was widely adopted in western Europe. Matchlockswere more unwieldy and unreliable than the wheel-lock guns invented soonafterward (see p.27), but they continued to be popular until the end of the17th century, largely due to their simplicity.
MATCHLOCK MUSKETDate c. mid-17th century
Origin Britain
Barrel 4912in (126cm)
Caliber.75in (19mm)
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S H O W C A S E M A T C H L O C K M U S K E T 25
BANDOLEERIn addition to carrying a powderask, a musketeer would haveworn a belt from which small askswere suspended. Each ask was lledwith a measured charge of powder.
Serpentine match-holdershaped like a dogs head
Octagonal-sectionbarrel
Lock plate
Pan cover
Pan carries primingpowdera small amountof gunpowder for lighting
the main gunpowdercharge in the breechof the barrel
FULL VIEW
FULL
VIEW
Leatherbelt
Flask is carvedfrom wood
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This early intlock rie, with a characteristicBaltic lock from the south of Sweden, has thedistinctive Goinge type short butt stockreminiscent of weapons of a still earlier date.Compared with later examples, its simplelock is crudely made, but it features the frizzencommon to all intlocks (see pp.3839).
In this gun, wheel-lock and matchlocksystems are set beside each otheron the same lock plate. The wheel-lock mechanism and stock are typical
of those made in the Netherlandsand in parts of what is modern-dayBelgium and Germany around 1650.
SWEDISHBALTIC FLINTLOCKDate c.1650Origin SwedenBarrel38in (98cm)Caliber.4in (10mm)
COMBINATION WHEEL-LOCK/MATCHLOCK MUSKETDate1650 (mechanism)
Origin GermanyBarrel 4612in (118cm)Caliber.70in (17.7mm)
Rear sight
Aperturerear sight
Pin securingbarrel to stock
Rear sightFrizzen (pan coverwith swiveling steel)
Dog spring
Frizzenspring
Dog
FULL VIEW
FULL VIEW
FULL VIEW
S P O R T I N G L O N G G U N S 29
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32 B E F O R E T H E F L I N T L O C K ( U P T O 1 6 5 0 )
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EARLY PISTOLSAND CARBINES
The advent of the wheel-lock (see pp.2627) notonly made it possible to dispense with a lighted match-cord, but now rearms could also be madesmaller, be red with one hand, andcarried around, instantly ready to re.This gunlock made new types of rearmspractical. Pistols and carbines appeared.These were lighter than cumbersomemuskets and easier to handle. Carbines
were shorter than muskets, but largerthan pistols, and they providedcavalry with signicant repower.
32 B E F O R E T H E F L I N T L O C K ( U P T O 1 6 5 0 )
HOLSTER PISTOLDate c.1580Origin GermanyBarrel12in (30.5cm)Caliber.58in (14.7mm)
WHEEL-LOCK PISTOLDate 1590Origin Germany
Barrel12in (30.5cm)Caliber.50in (12.7mm)
In northern Europe, pistols wereknown as dags (the origin of thename is obscure) until the late16th century. The ball pommel,a common feature of dags, wasdesigned to make the pistol easierto retrieve from a pocket or bag,instead of being used as a bludgeon.
Decorative ballpommel isattached to buttby a dowel
Dog spring
Iron pyrite
Pan
Trigger guard
Trigger
Trigger guard
Scroll-work insteel wire
Lock plate
Dog is contacting the pan cover,as it does when the shooter is
readying the gun to re
Dog spring
Jaw to holdiron pyrite
Triggerguard
Inlaid brass wire
Jaw to hold iron pyrite
Pommel acts as acounterbalance
Pistol grip Ramrod
This holster pistol has a recognizablyangular handgun layout, which meantit could be stored in a holster whileon horseback. Every aspect of the gunis highly decorated, including a largepommel at the end of the grip.
E A R L Y P I S T O L S A N D C A R B I N E S 33
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E A R L Y P I S T O L S A N D C A R B I N E S 33
This pistol was made by Lorenz Herold,who is recorded as working in Nuremburgfrom 1572 until his death in 1622. Thismodel is, however, stamped with theAugsburg control mark. Herold was,therefore, either working in both regionsor buying in Augsburg-made barrels.
GERMAN WHEEL-LOCKDate 1620Origin GermanyBarrel17in (43cm)Caliber.57in (14.5mm)
ITALIAN WHEEL-LOCKDate 1635Origin ItalyBarrel10in (26cm)
Caliber.52in (13.3mm)
WHEEL-LOCK CARBINEDate 1650Origin GermanyBarrel20in (52cm)
Caliber.50in (12.7mm)Made by German gunmaker HansRuhr, this wheel-lock features a short,attened butt. The steel butt plateis drilled with a cavitypossibly tocontain a cartridge or powder measure.The stock is inlaid with scroll-workin steel wire featuring a cherubs head.
WHEEL-LOCK PISTOLDate17th century
Origin GermanyBarrel20in (50.8cm)Caliber.50in (12.7mm)
Military wheel-lock pistolswere expensive (see p.27) andused only by cavalry. Pairs ofthese pistols were carried inholsters in front of the saddle.This example is more decorativethan most, having mother-of-pearl inlay in the stock.
Ramrod
Ramrod
Lock plate
Trigger guard
Dog spring
Top jawscrew
Forestock
Dog spring
Mother-of-pearlinlay butt stock
Dog spring
Ramrod
Ramrod
FULL VIEW
This wheel-lock was produced inBrescia, Italy, by the famed gunmakerGiovanni Battista Francino. Francino
built his reputation on the high qualityof nish, ne balance, and superb
lockwork of his guns, and he often madepaired pistols for affluent customers.
34 B E F O R E T H E F L I N T L O C K ( U P T O 1 6 5 0 )
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COMBINATION WEAPONSThroughout history, arms-makers have tried to combine thebenets of more than one weapon. Sometimes these were attempts
to produce practical military weapons, but often these hybrid weaponswere made as objects of interest and technical curiosity. Combiningtwo weapons would often compromise the effectiveness of both, butthey could be splendidly decorative, even if they were not very practical.Firearms were frequently attached to other kinds of weapon, with theidea that a staff weapon, shield, or sword might gain additional potency.
The head of this wheel-lock pistol has six pointed anges,each pierced with a trefoil shape. The lock incorporates asimple safety catch that engages with the sear, a part of themechanism that holds back the dog before the trigger ispulled.The hollow shaft at the rear of the gun formsanother barrel. It contains a compartment that can beaccessed by opening the hinged pommel.
HALBERD WITH TWOWHEEL-LOCK MECHANISMSDate c.1590Origin GermanyLength27in (69.1cm)
Caliber.33in (.83cm)This is a ceremonial halberd equipped witha double-barreled wheel-lock pistol. Thepistol barrels are octagonal and mountedon either side of the leaf-shaped blade. Thewhole gun is etched and partly gilt withstrap and scroll-work, the ax and uke ofthe head having additional trophies of arms.
MACE WHEEL-LOCKDate c.1560Origin GermanyLength23in (58.5cm)Caliber.31in (.78cm)
Barrel
Dog
Safety catch
Beakof warhammer
War hammeris missing thebalancinghammer head
Hinged pommel Shaft forms a second barrel
Wheel-lockTrigger
Ax blade
Mace headcomposed of six
pierced anges
Ramrod
Squared shaft takes thekey that winds the action
Wheel
FULL VIEW
FULL VIEW
Dog
Shaft
Gilt with strapand scroll-work
34 B E F O R E T H E F L I N T L O C K ( U P T O 1 6 5 0 )
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16501830
THE FLINTLOCK
YEARS
The intlock mechanism appeared in the late 16th century. It was cheaper and simplerthan the wheel-lock, and produced sparks by striking a piece of int onto a piece of
hardened steel. By around 1650, it was being used widely in Europe and NorthAmerica, although matchlock and wheel-lock guns remained in use. Employed onrearms ranging from pistols to artillery, the intlock would continue to be theprincipal ring mechanism for more than 200 years.
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E A R L Y F L I N T L O C K G U N S 41
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FLINTLOCK PISTOLDate c.1650Origin EnglandBarrel6in (15.3cm)Caliber .59in (15mm)
ENGLISH FLINTLOCK PISTOLDate c.1650Origin EnglandBarrel14in (34.2cm)Caliber.57in (14.5mm)
DUTCH DOUBLE-BARRELEDFLINTLOCKDate c.1650Origin NetherlandsBarrel19in (50.3cm)Caliber.51in (13mm)
Multibarreled pistols gave travelers
the advantage of additional repowerif attacked. The barrels on this pistolcan be rotated by hand, in what isknown as the Wender system. Oncethe upper barrel has been red, a catchis drawn back to allow the two to beturned, bringing the unred barrelup from beneath. Each barrel has itsown pan and frizzen.
English gunmakers produced manythousands of plain but functionalmilitary rearms during the period ofthe English Civil War in the middleof the 17th century. This pistol is of thetype that was usually issued in pairs
to cavalry troopers and carried in twoholsters mounted on the front of thesaddle. It has a lock plate and stockshaped like those of a wheel-lock, whichwas a fashionable design at this time.
This all-steel pistol is interestingbecause its mechanism is exposedon the outside of the stock. Eventhe spring-loaded tumbler, which isnormally on the inside of a intlock,is visible on the side of the gun. Thetumbler governs the striking actionof the cock via the mainspring when
the trigger is pulled.
Engraved stock
Barrel becomes roundtoward the muzzle
Frizzen spring
Thin iron ramrod
Frizzen
Cock
Flint
TumblerSteel stock
Mainspring
Muzzle
Steel barrel
Ramrod
Striking surfaceof frizzen
Flint-clamping screw
42 T H E F L I N T L O C K Y E A R S ( 1 6 5 0 1 8 3 0 )
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FLINTLOCK PISTOLS(16501700)
In the second halfof the 17th century, intlockrearms in Europe were developed into the formthey were to keep until well into the 19th century.Various intlock mechanisms had been in useby the middle of the 17th century, but by1700 the French design of lock had becomethe most common throughout Europe. Seenpredominantly in the sear or cock-releasemechanism underneath the lock plate of the gun,
French inuence was also considerable on theform and decoration of pistols and other rearms.However, regional styles, such as those in Austriaand Silesia (in modern-day Poland, Germany, andthe Czech Republic), continued to prosper.
Trigger
Butt is brass-bound
Lockplate
Trigger forupper barrel
Trigger forlower barrel
Figuredwalnut stock
Gildedsteel decoration
Frizzenspring
Steel mountingson butt cap areselectively gilded
Metal-boundbutt
SILESIAN HOLSTER PISTOLDate c.1680Origin SilesiaBarrel14in (35.5cm)Caliber.54in (13.7mm)
This large, sophisticated holsterpistol was made in the principalityof Teschen (now divided betweenthe Czech Republic and Poland),
but shows considerable German
inuence in the angular shapeand beveled edges of its lock.The staghorn inlaid decorationof the stock is also of Germanorigin and indicates that the gunwas made as a presentation piece.
AUSTRIAN HOLSTER PISTOLDate c.1690OriginAustriaBarrel14in (35.5cm)Caliber.64in (16.2mm)
Holster pistols were heavy, with longbarrels and metal butt caps. Madein Vienna by Lamarre, this ornate
example, although certainly atypicalin the extent and high quality of itsdecoration, represents the stateof the gunmakers art as itwas in the last decadesof the 17th century.
Frizzen
Flint wrapped inleather patch toimprove jaws grip
Staghorn inlay
Twin cocks
Pan
FULL VIEW
Jaw
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F L I N T L O C K P I S T O L S ( 1 7 7 6 1 8 0 0 ) 47
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JOHN WATERSBLUNDERBUSS PISTOLDate 1785Origin England
Barrel7in (19cm)Caliber 1in (25.4mm) (at muzzle)
SEA SERVICE PISTOLDate c.1790Origin EnglandBarrel 1234in (30cm)Caliber.56in (14.2mm)
POCKET PISTOLDate 1800Origin Belgium
Barrel 414in (11cm)Caliber.59in (15mm)
PUNJABIFLINTLOCK PISTOLDate c.1800Origin Lahore (in modern-day
Pakistan)Barrel8in (21.5cm)Caliber.55in (14mm)
The blunderbuss (from the Dutch donderbus,or thunder gun) was used in boardingships during engagements with the enemy.A blunderbluss red spherical shot (many
lead balls) and the ared muzzle increasedthe spread of the shot over a short distance.This box-lock blunderbuss was made by
John Waters of Birmingham. His name islegible on the mechanism.
Introduced in 1757, this pistol isof the type used in British navalservice for the rest of the 18thcentury. Pistols issued to sailorswere normally red only onceinthe initial attack or as a last resort.
The pistols brass-plated butt couldalso be used as a club.
Short-barreled pistols replacedthe sword as the gentlemansweapon of self-defense.
Box-locks were preferred toside-locksin which the cockwas mounted on the side of thegunas they were less likely tocatch in the clothing. Pistols oftenhad a bayonet, which was released
by pulling back the trigger guard.
This is one of a pair of superbly decoratedpistols made in Lahore. By the early19th century, Sikh gunmakers were ableto fashion the components of a intlock,
although they were mostly devoted tomaking workaday muskets known asjazails. This pistol has a Damascus barrel,formed by a process of pattern-weldingin which spirally welded tubes weremade from specially preparedstrips of iron.
Safety catchlocks frizzen in
closed position
Octagonal barrel
Frizzen
Brass-platedbutt
Bayonet
Frizzen
Frizzen
Trigger
Jaws tohold int
Catch locksbayonet inopen position
Box-lock mechanism
Box-lock mechanism
Jaw clamp screw
Bell mouth ensures widespread of shot at close rangeBrass barrel
Smoothbore barrel
Damascus barrel
Rear trigger
releases bayonet
Spring-loadedbayonet
Trigger guardretains bayonet
in closed position
RamrodRamrod pipe
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THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
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Flintlock muzzle-loaders were still common inFrance in the 1830s. Firing muskets producedthick, white smoke from burning gunpowder, asseen in this painting of the battle of the rue deRohan (July 1830) in the French Revolution. Atthe center, a man in a top hat is priming his lock.
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52 T H E F L I N T L O C K Y E A R S ( 1 6 5 0 1 8 3 0 )
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MUSKETS (16501769)Throughout the 17th century, Europeanarmies purchased muskets mostly as complete
weapons, rather than in parts from variouscompanies that were then assembled bycraftsmen. These muskets were made bycommercial gunmakers working undercontract to government authorities. Therewas little control over size, shape, andquality, which made maintaining largenumbers of rearms a major logisticalproblem. Ammunition supply for rearms
was particularly difficult if their barrelsdid not have bores of a regulated size. Inthe early 18th century, many Europeancountries sought to overcome this problemby introducing officially approved standardmuskets, manufactured to specications that weremuch more strictly controlled, so that all weaponsof that type, or pattern, would be identical.
Comb of stock
Frizzen
Rearsling swivel
Cock
Sling swivel
Frizzenspring
Pivotscrew
Trigger
FULL VIEW
Lock plate engraved
with makers nameCombof stock
Cock
Smallof stock
TriggerTrigger guardextension
Trigger guard
Pan
Barrel-retaining pinholds barrel in place
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F L I N T L O C K R I F L E S , C A R B I N E S , A N D B L U N D E R B U S S E S ( 1 7 6 1 1 8 3 0 ) 59
R i ht F i h
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HALL RIFLEDate 1819Origin USBarrel32in (82.5cm)Caliber.54in (13.7mm)
HEAVY DRAGOON
CARBINE PATTERN 1796Date c.1805Origin UKBarrel26in (66cm)Caliber.75in (19mm)
Vent hole
Foresight
Frizzen
Frizzen
Rear sight
Priming pan Frizzen spring
Forestock
Foresight
Flaredmuzzle
Steel ramrod
Foresight
Forestock capand barrel band
Forestock band Barrel is much shorter thanthat of an American long rie
Frizzen spring
Barrel band
Hinged openingbreech
Cleaning rod
Ramrod
Ramrod
Ramrod
Muzzle
John Hancock Halls rie, designed in 1811 and introduced into servicein 1819, was the rst regulation American rie that was loaded at the
breech; hinged at the front, it tipped up at a 30-degree angle for loading.Hall ries and carbines were eventually produced in percussion form(see pp.8081), too, where the entire breech unit could be removed andused as a pistol. Many breech-loading guns of the intlock period hadcleaning rods instead of the ramrods seen in muzzle-loaders.
Napoleonic-era carbines such
as this one had shorter barrelsthan earlier models. Dragoonswere mounted infantry, andwhile on horseback, eachdragoon clipped the carbineto his belt, from which ithung next to his thigh.
HARPERS FERRY RIFLEDate 1814Origin USBarrel35in (90cm)Caliber.54in (13.7mm)
Following the success of American riemen duringthe American Revolutionary War (177583), it wassurprising that the rst official US military riefollowed a European design rather than that of thetraditional long rie (see pp.9697). Introduced in1803, this rie was built at the US Armory atHarpers Ferry (in modern-day West Virginia).
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G R E A T G U N S M I T H S S P R I N G F I E L D A R M O R Y 63
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1777 The Springeld Arsenal is founded. As a store
for weapons and ammunition, it plays a key
role in the Revolutionary War.
1787 Daniel Shays and a group of rebels attempt
to capture the arsenal in protest against unfair
taxation and the debt collection practices of
the Massachusetts state government, but are
repelled by the state militia.
1795 Weapons production at the Armory
begins with the Springeld Charleville
Pattern Musket.
1815 Roswell Lee becomes superintendent of
the Armory and leads efforts to mechanize
production and improve management.
1863 The Model 1863 Type II is the last muzzle-
loading long gun produced by the Armory.
1873 The US Army adopts the breech-loading
Model 1873 Trapdoor rie.
1936 The semiautomatic M1 Garand rie
is launched. It becomes the rst general
issue self-loading rie to be accepted for
military service in the US.
1968 Springeld Armory is closed; its buildings
are preserved as the Springeld Armory
National Historic Site.
MODEL 1873 TRAPDOOR RIFLEMODEL 1863 TYPE II MUSKET M1 GARAND RIFLE
It has long been considered a privilegeto beemployed at Springeld Armory.
G. TALCOTT, LT. COL. OF ORDNANCE,ADDRESSING THE US SENATE, 1842
SHARPENING CUTTERSA woman sharpens cutters for a milling machineat Springeld Armory in around 1943. The cutterswere not only used for manufacturing rieparts but also for building the tools usedto make those parts.
Krag rie, designed in Norway, and the Model1903, which was designed in Springeld. Theretooling and adaptation required to producethese new weapons was a challenge, but thanksto machine upgrades and a reorganization ofthe workforce, they were successfully put intoproduction and demonstrated that the Armorycould build quality rearms en masse. TheArmorys Model 1903 was used in both worldwars. It was followed by a new generation ofsemiautomatic rearms, including the famedGarand rie of 1936, which made USinfantrymen much better equipped thanthose in other parts of the world who wereissued with slower bolt-action ries. Suchproducts kept the Armory going throughthe mid-20th century, until the USgovernment decided to rely solelyon private manufacturers and shutdown the facility in 1968.
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E U R O P E A N H U N T I N G G U N S 65
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RUSSIAN FLINTLOCKDate 1770Origin RussiaBarrel35in (89.8cm)Caliber.35in (8.9mm)
DOUBLE-BARRELEDFLINTLOCK SHOTGUNDate c.1770Origin EnglandBarrel35in (90.2cm)Caliber.60in (15.2mm)
SCOTTISH DOUBLE-BARRELED FLINTLOCK
Date 1819Origin ScotlandBarrel30in (76cm)Caliber.68in (17.3mm)
ITALIAN MIQUELET
SPORTING GUNDate c.1775Origin ItalyBarrel31in (80cm)Caliber.75in (19mm)
Jaw clamp screw
Gold-plated pan Silver-mountedforestock cap
Ramrod
Frizzen
Right trigger
Trigger for ringleft barrel
Trigger for ringright barrel
Silver-mountedtrigger guard
Abbreviatedforestock
Left trigger
Triggerguard
External
mainspring
Frizzen spring
Forestock
Ramrod
Ramrod pipe
Barrel lacks forestock
Small of stock isgripped in hand
Ramrod
Rear slingswivel
Abbreviatedforestock
Ramrod pipe
Muzzle
ForesightCock
This beautifully decorated sporting gun wasmade by Ivan Permjakov, one of the mostaccomplished Russian gunmakers. It may have
been recovered after the Battle of Alma Riverin 1854, during the Crimean War. Perhaps itwas lost from the gear of one of the officersin the Russian force.
This side-by-side double-barreled intlockshotgun, attributed to the gunmaker Hadley, istypical of high-class fowling pieces of the latterpart of the 18th century. Not only is its shortstock silver mounted, but both its pans and itstouchholes are gold-plated to fend off corrosion.
By the beg inning of the 19th century, the designof sporting guns had already begun to diverge from
that of military weapons, with shortened stocksbecoming commonplace. This double-barreled pieceis thought to have been made by Morris of Perthfor Sir David Montcrieffe, a celebrated sportsman.
This miquelet-lock musket is something of
an oddity. It was manufactured in Naplesby Pacico around 1775, but has anEnglish-made barrel dating from aroundthe time of the Battle of Waterloo (1815).
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CHINESE SILK GUN This unusual cannon designed for
F I E L D A N D S I E G E A R T I L L E R Y ( 1 7 8 1 1 8 3 0 ) 69
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FRENCH 6-POUNDERFIELD GUN
Date 1813Origin FranceLength5ft (1.68m)Caliber3.78in (96mm)Range 1,600 yards (1.4km)
CHINESE 18-POUNDERDate 1830Origin ChinaLength10ft (3.2m)Caliber5.25in (133.4mm)Range 2,000 yards (1.8km)
CHINESE SILK GUNDate c.1825Origin ChinaLength2ft (0.83m)Caliber2.5in (63.5mm)
Range 200 yards (180m)
This eld gun could retwo rounds a minute. Its
carriage is marked takenat Waterloo. It red 6-lb(2.72-kg) iron balls.
This 18-pounder hasinscriptions on top of its
breech. It is mounted ona Russian wrought andcast iron carriage, whichdates to 1853.
This unusual cannon, designed forportability, was made from a copper tubewrapped with iron wire and silk cord. Itderived from some earlier guns whichwere made from bamboo wound withcord. Chinese paintings show soldiers
lying on the battleeld ring similar guns.
Wrought and cast irongarrison carriage
Muzzle
Carriagewheel
Trail
Carriage wheel
Carrying handles
Muzzle
Trunnion
Touchhole
Breech
Muzzle
NAVAL GUNS
70 T H E F L I N T L O C K Y E A R S ( 1 6 5 0 1 8 3 0 )
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NAVAL GUNSAlthough most artillery pieceswere muzzle-loading by the 18th century, some naval guns continued
to be breech-loading. In naval warfare, different typesof gun could be useful in different situations, so specialpieces of artillery were developed. For longer ranges,conventional cannon were used, mounted on carriageswith wooden wheels, or trucks, while for close-inattacks, a short-barreled type of gun called a carronadewas very effective. Sometimes known as the smasher,the carronade was built in different sizes and couldre solid shot or explosive shells with great power,
although it did not have great range. Mortars couldbe used to attack ships, but were more often usedto shell defenses or troops on shore.
BRITISH 13-IN MORTARDate 1726Origin EnglandLength 512ft (1.6m)Caliber13in (330mm)
The reinforce ring of this sea servicemortar shows the royal arms of theBritish king George II. The mortarmay have been made for HMSThunder, which saw action atthe Siege of Gibraltar in 1727.
FOUR-POUNDERSWIVEL GUN
Date 1778Origin ScotlandLength1ft (0.32m)Caliber3.30in (84mm)
BRONZE BREECH-LOADING SWIVEL GUNDate c.1670Origin NetherlandsLength4ft (1.22m)Caliber2.91in (74mm)
Reinforce ring
Replacement bedfor land service,812ft (2.64m) long
Reinforce ring
Carryinghandles
Trunnion inscriptionreads Carron 1778
Muzzle
This short, heavy swivel gun was one of theprototypes for the carronade made by the
Carron Ironworks. Its trunnionsused toelevate and lower the gunare equippedwith pivots, and the cascabelused tosecure the gun against recoilis connectedto a long, curved tiller for directing the gun.
This swivel gun wasowned by the Dutch EastIndia Company and wasmost probably used as anantipersonnel weapon.
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Flared muzzle
FrizzenBarrel is blued (heated to protect
O T T O M A N F I R E A R M S 79
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Barrel bandsmade of twine
Octagonalbarrel
Entire stock iscovered in engravedand decorated ivory
MIQUELET LOCK RIFLEDate Late 18th centuryOrigin TurkeyBarrel32in (81.3cm)
Caliber.60in (15.2mm)
This rie is of classic Turkish form. Its stock hasthe typical pentagonal-section butt, and ne inlaiddecoration incorporating panels of metal wire andcolored and natural ivory. The ried Damascus
barrel (see p.47) has a marked grain pattern and
a tall aperture rear sight. The lock is decoratedwith gold and panels of coral.
FULL VIEW
Ramrod
FLINTLOCK PISTOLDate Late 18th centuryOrigin TurkeyBarrel12in (31.75cm)Caliber.62in (15.7mm)
FLINTLOCK PISTOLDate 1788Origin CaucasusBarrel12in (30.5cm)Caliber.60in (15.2mm)
A pistol such as thisstockedall the way to the muzzle, with itswoodwork copiously inlaid andits lock, barrel, and trigger guarddecorated with silver and goldwould have graced many armscabinets in the Ottoman world. Theintlock ring this weapon appearsto be of European origin.
The stocks and muzzle of thisall-metal, ball-butt pistol (oneof a pair) are covered with castand chiseled silver gilt. Thelock plate is inscribed Rossi,the makers name, suggesting
that the lock, at least, wasimported from Italy.
FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSSDate Late 18th centuryOrigin TurkeyBarrel17in (43.18cm)Caliber 1.5in (38.1mm) (at muzzle)
Ornate, even by Ottoman Empire standards,this silver-gilt blunderbuss carbine was mostlikely made as a presentation piece. Uponits lock plate is the inscription Londonwarranted, which suggests that the lockis a copy of an English intlock.
BALKANMIQUELET TFENKDate Early 19th century
Origin TurkeyBarrel36in (91.4cm)Caliber.55in (13.9mm)
This piece is reminiscent of Indian muskets. The stock isentirely covered in ivory and further embellished withinlays of precious stones and brass. The miquelet lock,common in Spain and Italy, is thought to have made itsway to the Ottoman Empire via Africa.
( pagainst rust) and inlaid with gold
Frizzen springRamrod
Barrel isleft unblued
Decorationextends to muzzle
Narrowbutt
Triggerguard
Cast and chiseleddecoration on stock
Pan
Muzzle ares to spreadshot and facilitate loading
Lock plate
Cock
Octagonal barrel
Frizzen Saddle bar
80 T H E F L I N T L O C K Y E A R S ( 1 6 5 0 1 8 8 0 )
TURNING POINT
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In the early 19th century, Alexander Forsyth,an avid duck hunter, was frustrated by theshortcomings of the intlock system. Althoughreliable, it suffered from the occasional ashin the pan when the priming powder wouldignite but the gun would fail to re. Along withthe noise of the int striking the frizzen and
the puff of smoke, the ash alerted potentialgame, which would quickly disappear.
THE SCENT-BOTTLE LOCKForsyth set about devising a simpler, faster, andmore effective means of ignition. He designeda mechanism that could be attached to anyrearm. It used a detonating compound calledmercury fulminate as a primer to ignite themain powder charge. The fulminate was held
in a vessel shaped like a perfume bottle, whichgave this mechanism the name scent-bottlelock. It was mounted on a hollow, cylindricalspindle and screwed into a intlock guns ventthat had been specially enlarged.
Forsyths invention embodied thefundamental principles of chemicalignition upon which all future gun andammunition development would be based.
PERCUSSION DESIGN EVOLVESAlthough revolutionary, the scent-bottle lockwas unsafe as it carried a large quantity of adetonating compound, which could explodeaccidentally and injure the user. Many peopleattempted to adapt Forsyths idea to design avariety of safer percussion systems that would
use a tiny, isolated quantity of primerjustenough to prime the gun once. The gunmaker
BEFORE THE THIN RED LINEArmed mainly with Pattern 1851 percussion ries,the 93rd Highlanders regiment of the British Army
bravely formed an unmoving line of defense against theRussian cavalry in the Battle of Balaclava in 1854. Froma distance, they appeared to onlookers as a thin red line
because of their red coats.
At the beginning of the 19th century, most gunswere red by the intlock mechanism. In this,a piece of int was struck against steel to createsparks that ignited some priming powder in asmall pan alongside the barrel. The ame from
this passed through a vent in the barrel andignited the main charge.
LOOSE POWDER PLACED IN A PRIMING PANin small quantities was not efficient. Wind could blowit away and rain could make it wet. The powder couldalso ignite but fail to detonate the main charge.
DELAYS BETWEENPULLINGTHETRIGGERand the gun actually discharging gave time for
birds and animals, startled by the ash and smokeof the ignited priming powder, to escape.
FLINTS NEEDEDTO REPLACEDafter 15 shotsor so, and the quality of ints often varied. The hardsteel face of the frizzen also wore out, reducing itsability to create a spark.
FLINTLOCK
MECHANISM
FAIL-SAFE GUNS
Matchlocks, wheel-locks, and intlocks used a small amount of gunpowderto prime the propellant (main gunpowder charge). In 1807, the Reverend AlexanderForsyth patented a way of igniting the propellant by using a different substancea sensitive chemical primer that detonates when struck. Joshua Shaw later patented thepercussion cap as the simplest way of making Forsyths invention work. Firearms couldnow use chemical ignition. This key development in rearms technology enabled guns tore instantaneously and reliably, unlike earlier guns with exposed gunpowder priming. Italso enabled the development of the revolver and the self-contained metallic cartridge
(see pp.12223), now used by nearly every modern rearm.
PERCUSSION CAPSPercussion caps were smallcopper or brass cups containinga minute quantity of fulminate. Acap was held in place on a hollowplug, or nipple, that was attached
to the breech of the gun.
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EARLY
82 T H E F L I N T L O C K Y E A R S ( 1 6 5 0 1 8 3 0 )
Early V-shapedForsyth hammer
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PERCUSSION GUNSA new way of priming a gun, by strikinga small amount of chemical primer (a substancethat ignites when struck), was invented inthe 19th century. The rst step toward thispercussion system was taken by AlexanderForsyth, who developed a gunlock in whichfulminate powder (the primer) was held in amagazine shaped like a scent bottle. Althoughthis lock had advantages over the intlock, loose
fulminate was dangerous to use, so further deviceswere invented to contain just enough for priming agun once. The evolution of percussion designculminated in the percussion cap (see pp.8081).In the early 19th century, guns employed a varietyof percussion locks, but the percussion cap hadbeen almost universally adopted by the 1830s.
FULL VIEW
BELGIAN DUELING PISTOL
Date 1830Origin BelgiumBarrel9in (23.8cm)Caliber.31in (8mm)
Percussion-cap pistols were morereliable than even the best intlocks,and one of their earliest uses was asdueling pistols. This half-stocked pistol
by the gunmaker Folville, one of a casedpair, was made in Lige, Belgium, aninternationally signicant center of
gunmaking at the time.
Percussion capts over nipple
Steadying spur
Hammer
Incised
checkeringon butt
Trigger
guard
Magazine axle,or roller
Priming magazineshaped like a scent bottleGrip extension
Wooden butt
E A R L Y P E R C U S S I O N G U N S 83
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FULL VIEW
Octagonal barrel
Foresight
This sporting gun was red using Forsyths scent-bottle lock. Loosefulminate powder (the chemical primer) was contained in a rotatingmagazine. This was tted with a striker. To re the gun, a user pulledthe hammer back and then rotated the vessel backward, which depositedsome fulminate in a small hole in the axle. Pulling the trigger released thehammer, which hit the striker in the vessel, detonating the primer.
This gun utilized a pellet-lock system, whichwas a major early step in the evolution of percussion(chemical ignition) technology. The detonating materialin this gun was bound with gum or varnish, and thepellets thus formed were contained in a rotating drumattached to the cock. Each partial rotation of thedrum brought a fresh, unred pellet over the nipple,
onto which the pellet was driven by the hammer.
FORSYTH PATENT PERCUSSIONSPORTING GUNDate c.1808Origin EnglandBarrel32in (82.2cm)Caliber.73in (18.5mm)
ENGLISH PELLET-LOCKPERCUSSION GUNDate 1820Origin EnglandBarrel32in (82.2cm)Caliber.73in (18.5mm)
NOCK VOLLEY GUNDate 1795, converted topercussion in c.1830
Origin EnglandBarrel20in (52cm)
Caliber.39in (9.9mm)
A version of this seven-barreled gun was usedby the British Royal Navy in close-range ghtingwhen boarding a ship or attempting to repelenemy boarders. This gun, like many intlockweapons, was modernized by being convertedto percussion ignition. Its central barrel was red
by the percussion cap. The exploding charge of thegunpowder in its breech was linked by radiatingvents to those of the other six barrels, which redsimultaneously as a volley.
Forestock cap
Barrel-retaining pin
Hammer
Pellet dispenser
Nipple Ramrod pipe
Ramrod
Triggerguard
Gripextension
Barrel-retaining pin
Trigger guard
Hammer
Seven barrelsbrazed together
Trigger
Grip extension
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183080
THE AGE
OF CHANGE
Firearms technology leaped ahead in the 19th century. Around 1830, the intlockwas still in almost universal military service, but the next 50 years saw the invention
and adoption of percussion ignition, successful breech-loading mechanisms, themetallic cartridge, effective repeating rearms, and even machine-guns. Many of themechanisms developed during that time are still in use today.
PERCUSSION-CAP PISTOLS
86 T H E A G E O F C H A N G E ( 1 8 3 0 8 0 )
Hammer
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The percussion cap (see pp.8081) was simply a small cupcontaining primer, yet it enabled a revolution in the design of
all handheld rearms. While intlock pistols were bulky, thepercussion cap made it possible to design sleeker and morecompact handguns with fewer lock components.It made muzzle-loading pistols more reliable,and eventually spurred the developmentof more efficient breech-loadingpistols. Among pistols, therevolverwith its chambersin a revolving cylinder
improved mostsignicantly withthe coming ofpercussion-captechnology.
FRENCH TARGET PISTOLDate 1839Origin FranceBarrel11in (28.3cm)Caliber.47in (12mm)
Technically, there is little differencebetween dueling pistols and thoseused for shooting at paper targets.However, the latter, such as thisexample by the renowned Parisian
gunmaker Gastinne-Renette, wereoften beautifully decorated.
Hammer
Trigger ispreset to avery light pull
Lock plate
Plain walnutstock
Butt hasincised
decoration
Animal decoration
BAR-HAMMER
PEPPERBOX PISTOLDate 1849Origin UKBarrel3in (9.1cm)Caliber.55in (13.9mm)
Pepperbox pistols had multiple barrels,
which offered the advantage of multishotcylinder revolvers without their principaldrawbackthe leakage of propellant gas
between chamber and barrel. Unfortunately,these pistols were generally inaccurate,except at point-blank range.
Checkeringon butt
Bar hammeracts vertically
Lanyard ring
Barrelsrotate onaxial pin
PATTERN 1 842COASTGUARD PISTOLDate 1842Origin UKBarrel6in (15cm)Caliber.57in (14.7mm)
British pistols used by the coastguard,police, and other security agencieswere similar in style to the Land-and Sea-Pattern pistols of the army andnavy, but usually lighter and smaller.In this muzzle-loading pistol, theramrod retainer swiveled to allowthe captive rod to be inserted in the
barrel. Revolvers replaced Pattern1842 pistols in the 1850s.
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Barrel-retainingslide
Ornate octagonal barrel
SHARPS BREECH-LOADING PISTOLDate c.1860Origin USBarrel5in (12.7cm)Caliber.34in (8.6mm)
COOPER UNDER-HAMMER PISTOLDate 1849
Origin EnglandBarrel4in (10cm)Caliber.45in (11.4mm)
American inventor ChristianSharps was famous for his
breech-loading ries andcarbines. His pistolswere based on the sameprinciples as his early riesand carbines (see p.110).
Joseph Rock Cooper was a prolicEnglish rearms inventor. One of hispatents was for this under-hammer
pistol, which includes a hammerlocated under the barrel along withthe percussion-cap plug, or nipple.
Combinedmainspring
and hammer
Butt is planed aton the sides
Ring trigger ischaracteristic ofCoopers pistols
Round barrel
Hammer
Under-leverpivot bar
TriggerTrigger guardand breechunder-lever
FULL VIEW
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Hammernose extensionOctagonalbarrel
Ried barrel and cylinderscrew onto smoothbore barrel
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Colts mainstay during the rst 15 years of the percussionera was the Dragoon Pistol, so called because it wasintended as a sidearm for cavalrymen. A new factorywas built at Hartford in Connecticut to produce thissingle-action revolver to fulll an army contract.
This open-frame revolver designed by FrenchmanJean-Alexandre Le Mat was a double-actionweapon (see p.92). Its nine-chambered cylinderrevolved not around a pin but a second, unried
barrel, charged from the muzzle with pellets, forantipersonnel, last-ditch defense.
COLT SECOND MODELDRAGOON PISTOLDate 1849Origin USBarrel7in (19cm)Caliber.44in (11.17mm)
LE MAT PISTOLDate 1864Origin USBarrel (Lower) 5in (12.7cm)Caliber .3in (7.62mm) and.66in (16.83mm)
STARR ARMY MODELDate 1864Origin USBarrel7in (19.2cm)Caliber.44in (11.17mm)
American gunmaker Nathan Starr was thepioneer of the break-open pistol, in which the
barrel, top strap, and cylinder were hinged
at the front of the frame before the tr iggerguard. The cylinder could be removed forcleaning or for replacing with another. Theforked top strap of this solid-frame, double-action revolver passed over the hammer andwas retained by a knurled screw.
Octagonal barrel
Part of frame formsrear of barrel
Top strap
Locking screw
Checkeredwalnut grip
Rammer pivot pin
Compoundrammer lever
Compoundrammer
Smoothbore barrelacts as cylinder axis pin
Compound rammer
Cutaway for bulletto pass under rammer
Compound rammer
Bottom strap
Top strapCylinder-locking
slot
Round barrel
Compound rammer
Trigger
Compoundrammer lever
Round barrel
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Side-mountedhammer
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Checkeredwalnut grip
Articulated rammerhead linked to lever
Octagonalbarrel
Hammer
Foresight
Compoundrammer lever
JOSEPH LANGTRANSITIONAL REVOLVERDate 1855Origin UKBarrel6in (15.2cm)Caliber.44in (11.17mm)
Transitional pistols continued to beproduced, mostly in Europe, even aftermuch more sophisticated designs hadappeared. This open-frame, single-actionrevolver is of the type produced by one ofthe best-known proponents, Joseph Langof London. Lang was more successfulthan most gunmakers of the time insolving the problem of propellant gasleaking between chamber and barrel.He designed the revolver in such a waythat when the cylinder rotated and eachchamber reached the end of the barrel,the mouth of the chamber engaged withthe rear end of the barrel, mechanicallysealing this connection between the two.
DEANE-HARDINGARMY MODEL
Date 1858Origin UKBarrel5in (13.5cm)Caliber.50in (12.7mm)
When Robert Adams broke withhis partners in 1853, the elder ofthe Deane brothers, John, set uphis own business. He later beganmanufacturing a revolver designed
by William Harding with a new,simpler type of double-actionlockthe forerunner of modernactions. The two-piece solid framecould be dismantled by removingthe pin located in the top strapin front of the hammer nose.Considered unreliable, the pistolnever achieved lasting popularity.
KERR DOUBLE-ACTIONREVOLVERDate 1856Origin UKBarrel5in (14.7cm)Caliber.44in (11.17mm)
James Kerr, Robert Adamsscousin, equipped his solid-framerevolver with a separate lock anda side-mounted hammer. The lockwas held by two screws and could
be easily removed. If a componentbroke, any gunsmith would havebeen able to repair it.Trigger
guard
Lockplate
Cylinderaxis pin
Octagonalbarrel
Checkeredwalnut grip
Trigger
Triggerguard
Prawl prevents pistol fromslipping through hand
Compoundrammer lever
OctagonalbarrelCylinder
Combined cylinderlocking catch and
frame latch
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96 T H E A G E O F C H A N G E ( 1 8 3 0 8 0 )
MUSKETS ANDRIFLES (1831 52)
LockplatePatchbox
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RIFLES (183152)Many intlock rearms remainedinactive use well into the 19th century. The iconicKentucky long rie was one of many civilianarms that saw sustained use as a intlock,only gradually being converted to percussionignition. European countries began to adoptries more widely for military use. Loadinga rie via the muzzle remained a problem.Ries were loaded either using a shaped ball tomechanically t the riing grooves, or ramminga ball hard enough into the breech to deformthe ball for gripping the riing.
The so-called turret gun, an attempt to evadeColts revolver patent (see p.94), appeared inthe 1830s. Examples also exist in which thewheel of cylinders is set vertically. It soon
became apparent that if ash-over from one
cylinder to another occurred, the result wouldmost likely be catastrophic to any bystanders,or even to the shooter himself.
This percussion-cap rie was introduced intoBritish military service in 1830. It had deep,two-groove riing and red a lead ball withan integral band, or belt, around it. This beltt into the grooves and caused the ball to spinas it was red (see pp.9899).
UNDER-HAMMERTURRET RIFLEDate 1839Origin UKBarrel29in (73.7cm)
Caliber.69in (17.6mm)
BRUNSWICK RIFLEDate c.1837Origin UKBarrel32in (82.5cm)Caliber.71in (18.03mm)
Disk is boredwith sevenradial chambers
TriggerHammer
Small of stock has
incised checkering
Hammer
Steel
butt plate
Catch for hingedupper frame strap
Nipple forlower barrel
Barrellatch lever
Trigger
Finger grip
Combof stock
Engravedlock plate
Iron buttplate
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conicalball pass throughthe bodiesf t o men d l d i th b d f third
CLAUDE-ETIENNE MINI(180479)
KEY FIGURE
T U R N I N G P O I N T P R A C T I C A L R I F L E S 99
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of two menand lodge in the body of a third
ATTRIBUTED TOGEORGE MACLEOD, CRIMEAN WAR SURGEON
( )
Claude-Etienne Mini served as captainwith the French Chasseurs (light infantry)
in North Africa. He was frustrated with theshortcomings of the muskets issued to histroops. Following his invention of the Minibullet, he was awarded 20,000 French francsand made an instructor at the Vincennesmilitary establishment. In 1858, he retired ascolonel, later becoming a military instructorfor the Khedive of Egypt, and then managerat the Remington Arms Company, US.
The Mini bullet was critical in spurring onthe development of long-range shooting. Newmilitary training regimes were needed. NationalRie Associations, such as those formed inBritain and the US, encouraged long-range targetshooting as sport. Military sharpshooters became
snipersunseen long-range killers adding newlevels of terror to an already fearsome business.
MILITARY TACTICShad to be revisedin the face of long-range accuracy, sinceclose-range combat would increase thelikelihood of soldiers being killed.
INDIVIDUAL SHARPSHOOTERSand snipers picking off specic targetsreplaced the military tradition of ring
by numbers, or volley-re.
DEADLY TEAMSOFSNIPERSandspotters evolved; the spotters usedtelescopes to identify targets and passeddetails to the snipers.
HIGHER-VELOCITYBULLETSinicted greater damage than earlier
bullets. Instead of repairable woundsto arms and legs, amputations
became common.
NEW SNIPER RIFLESin the
20th century, ring a .50in machine-gun cartridge, made it possible to aimat and hit human targets at ranges ofmore than 1 mile (1.7km), far greaterthan the 12-mile (0.9-km) rangeof an early muzzle-loading rie.
AFTER
.50IN BMG
CARTRIDGE,
1910
enemy, now danger lay up to a distance of1,000 yards (914m) or more. In the US, thenew Model 1855 Springeld rie employedthe Mini bullet, while in Britain, the rst rieto use the new bullet on a large scale was theEneld Pattern 1853 (see pp.10001). In theCrimean War, it was discovered that with theseries, for the rst time, infantry could outgun
artillery, picking off the gunners from a safedistance. A few years later, almost a million
Pattern 1853 ries would be shipped to serveboth sides in the American Civil War. Battles,once close-quarter volleys followed by tidesof bayonet or cavalry charges, now becamelong-range engagements from entrenchedpositions, against which a cavalry charge wasalmost suicidal. Judgment of distance andsetting of sights now became paramount in
making the rie, in the hands of well-trainedinfantry, the new god of the battleeld.
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SHOWCASE
ENFIELD RIFLED MUSKET
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PATTERN 1853 RIFLED MUSKETThis ried musket, produced by the Ordnance Factoryat Eneld, London, was a highly successful weapon. In thehands of a competent infantryman, it was effective beyondits sighted distance (900yards/820m), and at 100yards(90m), the bullet could pass through a dozen -in (1.5-cm)
planks. A soldier was expected to maintain a ring rate ofthree to four rounds per minute. For all its apparentsimplicity, this ried musket has a total of 56 parts.
FULL VIEW
ENFIELD RIFLED MUSKETAdding grooves to a muskets bore, or replacing its smoothbore barrelwith a ried one, helped convert muskets into ried weapons, or ries. With theperfection of the expanding bullet (see pp.9899), it became possible to issueries to all troops, not just to sharpshooters, because ries could now be loadedas fast as muskets. The British Army adopted a key rie in 1853. This gunthePattern 1853 Ried Musketremained in service until 1867.
CARTRIDGESCartridges were dipped in wax to lubricate the bore.
For loading, soldiers tore off the twisted end of the cartridgewith their teeth, poured the powder into the barrel, and rammed
the lubricated end, carrying the projectile, down the muzzle.Rumors that cow or pig fat were used in the wax offended Hindu
and Muslim soldiers because they were forbidden to eat beef or porkrespectively; this is one suggested cause of the Indian Mutiny of 1857.
BAYONETThe socket bayonet, withits triangular-section blade,protruded almost 18in(46cm) beyond the muzzle.It alone required 44 separatemanufacturing operations.
Trigger
Hammer
Attachmentpoint for sling
Small of stock isgripped in hand
Rear slingswivel
Forward slingswivel
Socket ts
over muzzle
Triangular-section
blade
Nipple pierced toallow ash from cap
to enter breechLock cover plate bears
makers name and insignia
ENFIELD
RIFLED MUSKETDate 1853
Origin UK
Barrel33in (83.8cm)
Caliber.57in (14.65mm)
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MUSKETS ANDRIFLES (185370)
FUSIL REGLEMENTAIREMLE 1853Date 1853Origin France
For its nal smoothbore musket, Francemaintained its established form of percussionrearms. This musket had a small sphericalnipple seat on top of the breech of the steel
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RIFLES (1853 70)Percussion ignition, whether usingcaps (see pp.8081)or other devices, was a major improvement over the cumbersomeintlock. Not only was the percussion mechanism easier to useand maintain, it was also more weatherproof. In another keydevelopment, most European and American infantry had theirsmoothbore muskets replaced with muzzle-loading ries,which had an accurate range several times greater thanthat of the musket.
WHITWORTH RIFLEDate 1856Origin UKBarrel36in (91.45cm)Caliber.45in (14.3mm)
Origin FranceBarrel40in (103cm)Caliber.71in (18mm)
Sir Joseph Whitworth (see p.98) produceda rie for a British Army trial with a hexagonal
bore that red a hexagonal bullet. It proved tobe accurate over 1,500 yards (1.4km), but itwas four times the price of an Eneld Model 1853(see pp.10001), and never adopted by the army.
pp pbarrel. It was red by a strong and simpleback-action locka percussion-cap variantin which the mainspring inside the lockplate lay behind the hammer, not in frontof it, giving the lock a more slenderappearance. This would be one of thelast new patterns of smoothbore musketissued to European troops.
Americaneagle motif
Hammer
Rear sling swivel
Sling swivel for use whensling is used to stabilize aim
Butt
Nipple forpercussion cap
Rear sling swivel
Hammer
Sling swivel
Small of stock isgripped in hand
Lock plate
Primer tape is fed over thepierced anvil and positionedby cocking the hammer
Armory mark
Primer tapecompartment cover
Americaneagle motif
Trigger
Hammer
Low combto butt
Armory mark
Rear sightNipple forpercussion cap
Barrel band
Rear sling swivel
Nipple seat
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SHOWCASE
LE PAGE SPORTING GUN
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LE PAGE SPORTING GUNWhile the technical quality of the gun is excellent,its appeal lies in its decoration. The scroll-work onthe small of the stock is enhanced by steel wire,while the metalwork is engraved with scenes fromNapoleons life and the names of some of his battles.
FULL VIEW
LE PAGE SPORTING GUNPierre le Pageset up in businessas a harquebusier in Paris, perhaps as earlyas 1716, and was later appointed gunmaker to the king. He was succeeded byhis nephew Jean in 1782, who was retained by the Emperor Napoleon to refurbishweapons from the royal gun-room for his own use. Jeans son Henri took over therm in 1822, by which time Napoleon had died in exile. This sporting gun wasmade to commemorate the return of his ashes to France in 1840.
Engravedhammers
Standingbreech
Sling attachment point
Front triggerres right barrel
N for Napoleon,surmounted by a serpent
Sling attachment point
Lock plate engraved withdepiction of the Battleof the Pyramids
Rear triggerres leftbarrel
Cutters forremoving ashing
from molded bullet
Trigger guardengraved with date
of the return ofNapoleons ashes
ACCESSORIES BOXThis is a turned rosewood box intended forstoring small accessories such as charge-drawingworms and spare percussion nipples. The joint
between the lid and the body of the box is hiddenin a groove within the decorative turned bands.
WAD PUNCHWadding, usually made of paper,
was rammed into the barrels afterthe powder, but before the bullets,
using this punch. Because it wasessential that the wads precisely t
the barrels, a wad cutter wasincluded with the guns tools.
BULLET MOLDA percussion sporting gun couldbe loaded with pellets, for huntingbirds and wildfowl, but also withballs for to hunt large game. Thismold was used to make such balls.
Scroll-work inlaidwith wire
LE PAGE SPORTING GUNDate 1840
Origin France
Barrel 31in (80cm)
Caliber .84in
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VISUAL TOUR
DREYSE NEEDLE-FIRE RIFLE
3
Bolt handle
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German gunsmith Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse invented the rst rotatingbolt for loading a rie at the breech (see p.304). It sealed the breech much moresecurely than previous breech-loaders did and ensured that the energy of theexpanding gas propelled the bullet forward. The rie was also revolutionary inusing a long, thin ring pin to pierce a self-consuming paper cartridge, bothdrawn from the designs of Jean Samuel Pauly, Dreyses employer.
BOLT AT REAR (BREECH OPEN)Bolt action provides the rie with an effective
opening breech mechanism. The bolt was connectedto a needle-shaped ring pin (opposite). Before the
bolt could be unlocked, the ring pin would be retracted
using the catch at the rear of the bolt. The bolt wouldthen be rotated using the handle and pulled rearward,opening the breech. Once the breech was open, a
cartridge was placed into it to load the gun.
BOLT AT FRONT (BREECH CLOSED)The bolt was closed by pushing the handle forward and
rotating it. Doing this sealed the breech and also cocked thegun ready for ring. This gun red paper cartridges that were
not only self-contained (containing primer, charge, andbullet) but also self-consuming. The cartridges would
combust fully, leaving behind no shell or residue to eject,allowing the weapon to be reloaded very efficiently.
1Bolt
2
4
Firing pin (insidethe stock)
Firing pin catch
Triggerguard
Trigger
Hole forsling swivel
Bolt housing,or receiver
1
2
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Foresight
Nipple for Rear sightH
B R E E C H - L O A D I N G C A R B I N E S 111
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Rear sight
Breechblock
Barrel bandBarrel band-retaining spring
Foresight
CALISHER AND TERRYCAPPING BREECH-LOADINGCARBINEDate 1861Origin UKBarrel20in (51.2cm)Caliber .54in
The Calisher and Terry carbine was the rstbolt-action weapon adopted by the British Army.Its paper cartridge included a greased felt wad,which remained in the breech after ring and waspushed into the barrel by the insertion of the nextround, lubricating and cleaning the bore when it
was red. In a trial, one carbine red 1,800 roundswithout requiring additional cleaning.
percussion capg
Barrel band
Bolt
Lockplate
Trigger
Hammer
WESTLEY RICHARDSMONKEY TAIL CARBINE
Date 1866Origin UKBarrel18in (45.5cm)Caliber .45in
Birmingham gunmakers WestleyRichards produced two carbines
for the British Army. This one hada front-hinged, tilting breech with along, curved lever, which is how theweapon got its nickname.
Barrel band
Monkey Tailbreech lever
Lock plate
Hammer
CHASSEPOTPERCUSSION CARBINEDate 1858Origin FranceBarrel28in (72cm)Caliber 13.5mm
In the mid-1850s, gunmakers at the FrenchImperial Armories began experimenting with
bolt-action, percussion-cap breech-loaders.Alphonse Chassepot produced a design using arubber washer to seal the breech. He subsequently
replaced the hammer with a needle striker withinthe bolt, which was accepted for use by the FrenchArmy as the Modle 1866.
FULL VIEW
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SINGLE-SHOT BREECH-LOADING RIFLESFor many years, military authorities throughout theWestern worldhad appreciated thebenets of breech-loading rearms Muzzle-loading muskets and ries were difficult to reload while a
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benets of breech loading rearms. Muzzle loading muskets and ries were difficult to reload while asoldier was lying prone, and were also usually slower to load than a well-designed breech-loader. Breech-loading mechanisms continued to evolve. Many ries began to be loaded at the breech using bolt action(see p.304), which would inuence the future development of these arms. In the 19th century, a numberof breech-loading weapons were taken into military service in Europe and North America. Many wereefficient conversions of existing muzzle-loading ries and would have a long service life.
BALLARD RIFLEDate 186266Origin USBarrel28in (72.4cm)
Caliber .54in
Scroll under-lever
Rear sling
attachment
Iron trigger guard
The Ballard rie used a breech-loading mechanism calledlever action, in which an under-lever was used to open the
breech chamber. The ries scroll under-lever operated apivoting breechblock.
Hingedbreechblock
Trapdoor breechcover incorporatesring pin
Small of the stock isgripped in hand
Action cocked/uncocked indicator
Under-lever
Rear sight
Barrelband
S I N G L E - S H O T B R E E C H - L O A D I N G R I F L E S 115
Bolt handle
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DREYSE NEEDLE-FIRERIFLE MODEL 1862Date 1868Origin GermanyBarrel 32in (81.2cm)Caliber 15.43mm
PEABODY-MARTINI RIFLEDate c.1870Origin USBarrel30in (76cm)Caliber .45in
MAUSERMODEL 1871 RIFLEDate1872 onwardOrigin GermanyBarrel32in (83cm)Caliber 11 60mm
SPRINGFIELD MODEL1866 RIFLE ALLINTRAPDOOR CONVERSIONDate 1874Origin US
Barrel 3212in (83cm)Caliber .45in
Barrel band Foresight
Rear sight graduatedto 1 mile (1.6km)
Front slingswivel
Frontsling swivel
Foresight
Cleaning rodPrussia adopted Dreyses revolutionary bolt-actiondesign (see pp.10809) into its military service in1848. Soon, different models began to be built,each one for a different branch within the army,such as line infantry or cavalry. The Model 1862was an infantry rie rst manufactured in1862, but this particular piece was built in 1868.
This lever-action military rie was designed byHenry O. Peabody and produced by the ProvidenceTool Company of Providence, Rhode Island. It isequipped with a safety catch. Many units were
bought by the government of Turkey for theRussoTurkish War (187778).
Many single-shot breech-loading ries of the time employed combustible car tridges.German manufacturer Waffenfabrik Mauser began modifying Dreyse guns, such as theModel 1862 (above), to accept brass cartridges, but Peter Paul Mauser produced a newdesign with a bolt-action breech mechanism stronger than that of the Dreyse rie. It wasmodied to take metallic cartridges (see pp.11213) rather than fully combustible paperones, and could therefore re more powerful ammunition (cartridges with a largerpowder charge). Effective out to a range of 875 yards (800m), the Infanteriegewehr(infantry rie) M71 established Mausers preeminence among suppliers of military ries.
The perfection of the unitary cartridge left theworlds armies with a dilemma: what should they dowith their millions of redundant muzzle-loaders? TheUS Army modied its ried muskets by millingout the top of the barrel, creating a chamber for the
cartridge, and installing a front-hinged breech cover,or trapdoor, incorporating a ring pin.
FULL VIEW
Barrel band anchorsthe barrel in the stock
Rear sight
Front sling swivel
Cleaningrod
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GREAT GUNSMIT HS
WINCHESTERTh i i A i i i d
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In 1857, entrepreneur Oliver Winchesterfound himself in control of the Volcanic ArmsCompany after many of the other investorspulled out. The repeating rearms produced bythe company were impressive compared to thesingle-shot weapons that were then the norm,
but they were not successful, mainly because the
cartridges they red lacked power. Winchestersaw the need to improve the companysproducts and hired Benjamin Tyler Henry todevelop a new repeating rie. Patented in 1860,
just before the outbreak of the Civil War, theweapon was the rst practical lever-action gun(see p.116), and, when it came on to the marketa year into the war, it made Winchesters name.
The repeating rie was an American inventioncreatedinitially in the 1840s by inventors Walter Hunt and Lewis Jennings.It was the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, owned by OliverWinchester, that developed the idea, manufactured the rearms,and sold them both to American pioneers and hunters, and to armiesall over the world. Known for producing high-quality rearms, thiscompany was highly successful, especially in the period betweenthe American Civil War and World War I.
THE WINCHESTER AT WARDuring the Civil War, the US federal governmentbought about 2,000 of Winchesters rearms,which were then known as Henry ries, aftertheir designer. Individual soldiers purchasedstill more, realizing that the increasedrepower provided by the repeating actiongave them a better chance in battle. Soon,
that damned Yankee riethat they load onSunday and re all week
ATTRIBUTED TOCONFEDERATE SOLDIERS
RUSSOTURKISH WAR
Russian riemen (on the right) are seen here ringon Ottoman Turkish troops armed with swords atthe battle of Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, in July 1877,during the RussoTurkish War. Their guns weresingle-shot, however, and the Turkish forces alsohad Winchester repeating ries, with which theyeventually defeated the Russians.
pioneers in the American West were usingHenry ries, too, but Winchester saw that theweapons could be improved, and subsequentlyintroduced the Model 1866 (see p. 117),
which had a better loading system and awooden forestock to protect the user fromthe hot barrel. These improved ries helpedspread Winchesters fame far beyond the US,particularly when they were used in largenumbers by the Ottoman Turks in the RussoTurkish War of 187778. During this conict,the repeating ries helped the Turks at the
HENRY MODEL 1860
OLIVER
WINCHESTER
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BREECH-LOADING SHOTGUNSIn 1835, a French inventor named Casimir Lefaucheux made a breakthroughin sporting gun design with his patent for a pin-re cartridge (see p.112) and a
Burrwalnut stock
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gun with a break-open design (its barrels hinged downward for loading at thebreech). Hinged barrels became almost universally adopted for sporting guns,although gunmakers created