This video delves into the origins and evolution of the Volcanic pistol, Smith & Wesson's first firearm. It traces the lineage from Walter Hunt's Volitional Repeater through the Jennings and Smith-Jennings rifles, highlighting Horace Smith's improvements. The formation of Smith & Wesson with Daniel Wesson and the inclusion of Courtland Palmer are discussed, along with the patent issues avoided. The early Volcanic pistol's design, chambered in .41 caliber Navy and .31 caliber pocket versions, is detailed, including its tubular magazine, iron frame, and limitations in power and reliability. The video also covers the company's bankruptcy, its reformation into the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company, and its eventual acquisition by Oliver Winchester, leading to the New Haven Arms Company and ultimately the iconic Henry repeating rifle. The narrative emphasizes how the Volcanic's innovations paved the way for Winchester's future success.
This video delves into the development of the Winchester Lever Action rifle, specifically focusing on the Model 1866. It highlights the shortcomings of the earlier Henry Repeating Rifle, such as its exposed magazine, and details how Nelson King's innovative loading gate design addressed these issues, leading to a more durable and reliable firearm. The description also touches on the business maneuvers that led to the formation of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and the sidelining of Benjamin T. Henry. The Model 1866, initially called the Winchester Repeating Rifle, continued to use the .44 Henry Rimfire cartridge and was offered in various configurations, laying the groundwork for Winchester's future success.
This video explores the innovative Walch Revolver, a unique firearm from the 1860s designed to overcome the limited capacity of typical pocket revolvers. John Walch's design ingeniously doubled the firepower of a 5-shot revolver to 10 shots by implementing superimposed charges within each chamber. The video details how this system utilized two separate firing mechanisms, operated by a single trigger, to fire both the front and rear charges sequentially. Despite its clever concept, the Walch Revolver faced practical challenges, including potential for catastrophic failure if the flash tube became fouled and reduced power due to smaller charge sizes. Manufactured by Oliver Winchester's New Haven Arms Company, the gun saw limited adoption, with a single company of Michigan Infantry using it during the Civil War.
You've reached the end! 3 videos loaded.
