This video explores the history and significance of the Pauly and Roux pistols, specifically focusing on their role as early examples of self-contained cartridge firearms. It delves into the historical context and evolution of firearm technology, highlighting these pistols as pivotal developments in the transition from older loading methods to more modern breech-loading designs.
This video details the fascinating history of the Fenian Brotherhood's attempts to invade Canada using converted firearms. It covers their initial use of Civil War surplus muskets in 1866 and their subsequent acquisition and modification of thousands of these muskets into centerfire breechloaders by the Pioneer Arms Works for their second invasion in 1870. The description highlights the tactical failures of both invasions, the confiscation and eventual resale of the converted firearms, and their current status among collectors. The video also mentions the specific ammunition types (.58 centerfire and .577 Snider) and the characteristic modification of cutting and splicing the stocks.
This video segment from "American Rifleman Television" focuses on the Gallager carbine, a lesser-known but historically significant firearm used by Union cavalry during the American Civil War. It details the carbine's design as a .52-caliber single-shot breechloader, its innovative but flawed extraction mechanism, and its evolution with the addition of an extractor and ability to fire metallic cartridges. The video also mentions its use by the French Empire during the Franco-Prussian War, highlighting its intermediate position between muzzleloaders and fully self-contained metallic cartridge arms.
This video segment from "American Rifleman Television" focuses on the Burnside carbine, a significant firearm used by cavalry during the American Civil War. It explores the carbine's unique breech-loading design, its inventor Ambrose Burnside's multifaceted career (including his role in the NRA's founding), and its historical context as the third most popular cavalry carbine of the war, trailing the Sharps and Spencer. The discussion highlights the rapid pace of firearm development during the era, rendering the Burnside technologically obsolete within a decade. Despite its eventual limitations and the Burnside Company's bankruptcy, the carbine is recognized as an important step in firearm evolution.
This video explores a rare 'Watkin-Patent' variant of the Martini-Henry rifle, a historically significant British firearm. Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson details the development of this thumb-trigger configuration, which was an attempt to improve the breechloader for target shooters and hunters. Despite 40 units being produced, the design ultimately did not progress. The video links to the Royal Armouries collection, a book on the Martini-Henry, and other relevant resources.
This American Rifleman Television segment explores the fascinating Terry Carbine, an early breechloading bolt-action rifle patented by William Terry in 1856. The video highlights its innovative turn-bolt action with locking lugs, its use of a unique paper-wrapped cartridge ignited by percussion caps, and its rudimentary gas seal mechanism. It details the carbine's service with the British military's 18th Hussars and its presence in the American Civil War, notably used by Confederate figures like J.E.B. Stuart and found in Jefferson Davis's baggage. The description also touches on its commercial variants and why it ultimately failed to transition to the metallic cartridge era due to its loading port design and inability to easily eject spent cases.
This video explores a unique Confederate Gillam & Miller Rolling Block rifle transformation, highlighting how muzzleloading rifles were converted to cartridge-firing firearms in the post-Civil War South. The description emphasizes the rarity of the Gillam & Miller pattern, with only 677 produced for North Carolina. It explains the process of using existing rifle components with a new Remington Rolling Block action to create a more modern firearm at a lower cost than a new rifle. The example shown illustrates the practical, hard-use nature of firearms in the post-war era, updated for continued utility.
This episode of American Rifleman TV covers foundational shooting skills, including eye dominance and proper grip, with NRA Training Counselor Larry Quandahl. It features a review of the new Walther PDP Performance Duty Pistol, highlighting its improvements over the PPQ. The "I Have This Old Gun" segment delves into the history of the French "Tabatiere," a long-serving breechloader with origins possibly in the Napoleonic era, which evolved from flintlock to percussion and eventually to a breechloader. The video also provides details on where to watch full episodes and tune in for new ones.
This video showcases the System Kuhn, a novel single-shot breechloading rifle likely manufactured in the 1870s or 1880s by Kuhn of Besançon. The rifle is designed for sporting use, firing an 11mm black powder cartridge. Key features highlighted include its efficient breech-loading mechanism which automatically ejects spent casings and cocks the hammer upon closing the action. It also incorporates a safety feature preventing firing until the action is fully closed, safeguarding against out-of-battery discharges. While the maker remains largely unknown, the video explores the innovative engineering of this antique firearm.
This video showcases the 1854 Treuille de Beaulieu Mousqueton, the first breechloader adopted by the French military. Issued to Napoleon III's personal guard (Cent Gardes), this unique open-bolt, dropping-block carbine fires a 9x46mm pinfire cartridge. The description highlights its light and handy design, issued with a meter-long saber bayonet, and a brief mention of a centerfire conversion in the 1860s. The carbine left service in 1870 with the disbandment of the Cent Gardes. The presenter thanks the Liege arms museum for allowing access to this historical 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 documentary-style video from C&Rsenal's WWI Primer series explores the history, function, and live-fire demonstration of the Belgian Comblain Mousqueton Modele 1871/83 rifle. Presented by Othais and Mae, the video delves into this WWI firearm and features additional reading resources on the Comblain rifle and FN Mauser rifles. The series aims to cover WWI firearms during the centennial anniversary, with new episodes released bi-weekly. Ammunition data is provided by DrakeGmbH, and animations by Bruno.
