Videos tagged with 1850s Firearms

This YouTube video features a comparison between two historical firearms from the 1850s: the Smith & Wesson Model 1 and the Allen & Wheelock Sidehammer. The content likely explores the features, performance, and historical significance of each pistol, offering viewers an in-depth look at early American revolvers. It serves as an educational piece for firearm enthusiasts interested in the evolution of handgun design.

This video showcases a rare and fascinating 1850s custom rifle featuring four .36 caliber barrels. The rifle, attributed to gunsmith P.E. Hall of Ashtabula, Ohio, boasts a unique quadruple mule ear hammer action and a double set trigger. The description highlights its custom nature and historical context, placing its creation between 1848 and 1854. The video likely delves into the craftsmanship, design, and historical significance of this exceptional firearm.

This video from Forgotten Weapons explores the Arcelin Mousqueton, an 1850s French military bolt-action breechloader. Originally adopted in 1854 for the Cent Gardes, its promising trials were overshadowed by significant operational flaws, including insufficient obturation and a tendency to become difficult to operate, leading to broken bolt handles. The breechloader was quickly replaced. The Arcelin's most striking feature was its unique, full-length sword bayonet with a brass handguard, intended for visual impact rather than practical combat. The video thanks the Cody Firearms Museum for access to this rare firearm.

This video focuses on an 1850s-60s Confederate swivel breech rifle, highlighting its historical significance as a rapid-fire weapon during the American Civil War. The description notes the Confederacy's limited arms and the diverse weaponry used in the early days of the conflict, with this swivel breech rifle being a notable example. The video implies a discussion or demonstration of this historical firearm.

This video showcases a rare and beautifully presented set of Deane, Adams & Deane double-barreled percussion pistols from circa 1855. Presented by Brownells firearm historians Steve and Keith, the pistols were designed for concealed carry for the fashionable English gentleman of the era, featuring a pocket clip and safety catches. The description highlights the historical significance of Deane, Adams & Deane, their patronage by Prince Albert, and contrasts the over/under pistol with early revolvers. The examples are in excellent condition with full engraving and original accoutrements, housed in a leather-bound case.

This video delves into the history and mechanics of the North & Skinner Wedge-Lock Revolving Rifle, patented in 1852. Approximately 700 of these unique firearms were produced by 1856. The design features a sophisticated wedge system for sealing the cylinder gap during firing, which also operates the indexing and cocking mechanisms. Manufactured by North & Savage in Connecticut, the company has roots stretching back to an earlier partnership formed for military pistol production. The description notes an improved 1856 patent that replaced the wedge with a toggle link, forming the basis for the "Figure 8" revolvers, and that the revolving rifle design was eventually discontinued in favor of more popular handguns.

This video provides an in-depth look at a rare Knoch Needlefire Pistol, handcrafted by A. Knoch in Munich around 1850. Despite its rough condition, the video's disassembly and explanation offer a clear understanding of the needle fire system, a transitional technology between percussion caps and self-contained metallic cartridges. The presenter highlights the historical significance of this intermediate firearm design.

This video dives into the unique WW Marston Breechloading Pistol, a single-shot firearm produced in New York City. The pistol is notable for its innovative cartridge design, featuring a heavy paper or cardboard case and a leather base pad that Marston intended as a self-cleaning bore wipe. Approximately 1,000 of these pistols were manufactured in various barrel lengths and calibers (.31, .36, and .44). While an improvement over muzzleloaders, the cartridge didn't achieve significant commercial success against competing designs. The video also touches upon the pistol's interesting tang sight, suggesting a possible intended use with a wire stock.

This video delves into the history and mechanics of the Volcanic repeating pistol, an early predecessor to iconic lever-action rifles. It highlights the Volcanic's unique toggle-action mechanism and its distinctive ammunition, which featured integrated powder and primer. The description explains the firearm's shortcomings, primarily its weak ammunition and reliability issues, which led to the Volcanic Arms Company's bankruptcy. It also details Winchester's acquisition and continued production of Volcanic pistols, alongside the development of the Henry rifle, which utilized a similar mechanism but with more potent ammunition.

This video from Forgotten Weapons delves into the history and design of the North & Skinner Revolving Rifle, an early 6-shot percussion firearm patented in 1852 and manufactured between 1856 and 1859. Approximately 600 units were produced, split between .60-caliber shotguns and .44 caliber rifles. The rifle features a unique lever-action mechanism utilizing the trigger guard and incorporates design elements like recessed chambers and a locking wedge to mitigate cylinder gap blast, drawing a comparison to the 1895 Nagant revolver. The presenter expresses interest in live-firing the weapon to assess its effectiveness.