Why The Most Expensive US Martial Pistol Exploded A Lot
This video delves into the significant issues plaguing the Colt Model 1847 Walker, a highly valuable US military handgun. Despite its collector's value, the Walker was prone to exploding due to a combination of factors including the use of flawed wrought iron, excessively large powder chambers (50-60 grains) with a small safety margin, inconsistent powder composition in the 1840s, and a loading issue with the conical "Pickett" bullet that could inadvertently increase powder volume. The description highlights that a substantial percentage of these pistols were returned from the Mexican-American War damaged or unserviceable, with many suffering from burst barrels, cylinders, or broken arbors.













