Modern American pistols and revolvers. An account of the development of pistols and revolvers in America

Front matter

Book _ -IjzlcL^l

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT

I

Preface

The first edition of " Modern iVnierican Pistols and Revolvers " was published in 1888. At that time there was but little general knowledge of the capabilities of the pistol or the revolver. A general impression prevailed that there was little or no accuracy in the arms, or if they were accurate, those manipulating them skillfully were specially gifted. The publication of the first edition showed the great accuracy and reliabilit}^ of certain arms, and made it apparent that to become skillful in manipulating them was only a matter of practice. This stimalated many devotees of shooting to attempt to acquire a proficiency. As a result, at the time of writing there are expert pistol and revolver shots in various sections of the country ; and as the shooting world has no national confines, this statement may be applied to many parts of the world.

The expert amateur pistol and revolver shots of to-day are, in many instances, doing work superior to that of professionals a few years ago. To some extent, this is due to improvements in arms and ammunition, but chiefly to the knowledge that the arms possess great accuracy, are safe to shoot, and that it is within the reach of any iv PREFACE.

one with normal health and vision to become a fine marksman.

Pistol and revolver shooting has grown rapidly in popularity as a sport throughout the world ; where there was one expert pistol shot a few years ago, there are now many. There have been numerous styles of arms created and modes of shooting developed, and it has seemed to be important that a record of the work accomplished since 1888 be collected, added to that before presented, and recorded in a permanent form. It is thought that the matter published in this volume will show the capabilities of pistols and revolvers, and the development of skill in shooting them.

The objects of the author in presenting this second edition are as follows : To demonstrate the accuracy of modern American pistols, revolvers, and ammunition to date ; to record the best known work to the time of publication ; to point out the propriety of classifying the several departments in shooting with these arms ; to urge practical training among the national guard in America, where revolver shooting, which should be understood by all officers, members of the naval battalions, cavalry and artillery, has, until recently, been almost wholly neglected.

A. C. G.

Chapter I. Development Of American Pistols And Revolvers

A PISTOL is a rifle of such size and shape that it can be aimed and fired with one hand. A revolver is a pistol with revolving barrels or a revolving cylinder. In modern revolvers the cylinder only revolves, this cylinder being supplied with chambers for cartridges. The term pistol is applied indiscriminately by many to both single-shot pistols and revolvers ; but since the shooting of these arms has become popular, and the skill in shooting them has developed to such a high degree, there is a recognized difference in the arms, and in the skill in manipulating them; therefore, to distinguish between them, they are specified respectively as the single-shot pistol and the revolver.

The first supply of single-shot pistols found in the United States were of foreign manufacture, being almost wholly of the dueling pattern. Next came the manufacture of home products, which for many years was confined to hand work. These weapons were, necessarily, quite expensive ; for besides the time and labor required to make them, they were often richly embellished, adding to their expense. A pair of ancient dueling pistols.

either of foreign or domestic manufacture, generally shows their manufacture called for high mechanical skill with artistic conception.

Besides the single-shot pistols of the duelling pattern were those of plainer finish for military work. These pistols were of large caliber, generally shooting a spherical bullet ; sometimes a bullet and several shot were employed. These pistols were often of smooth bore. Next came the manufacture of military rifled pistols by machinery, and later, with the advent of the metallic cartridge, the production of the cheap, single-shot breech-loading pistol of small caliber.

The introduction of the revolver, which had such an apparent advantage over the single-shot pistol on account of its reserve shots, almost drove the pistol into disuse. It also had the effect of lessening practicing with the pistol, which in the early days of this country was considered a gentleman's accomplishment. Fine shooting became a lost art, and the old-time pistol shot sank into oblivion. Speed in manipulating a revolver was apparently considered of more importance than extreme accuracy.

The first American revolvers were crude arms ; their chief merits being the reserve fire and ability to fire rapidly. Improvements in the arm to increase its accuracy were slow. The change from percussion to rim-fire cartridges retarded improvement in accuracy ; from rim-fire to central-fire cartridges had the same effect ; and it can be safely said that American breech-loading pistols and revolvers were not brought to a high state of perfection until within a few years ; and the American revolvers were far inferior, in point of accuracy, to the old muzzleloading rifled pistol until within a short time.

In the year 1885 the writer commenced the publication

DEVELOPMENT OF PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 3

of The Rifle^ a montlily journal devoted to rifle shooting in all its branches. At that time I think it was generallybelieved by the shooting fraternity that, with one exception, a pistol was the most difficult of firearms to shoot well. The revolver, it was thought, was not only the most difficult of all firearms to shoot accurately, but it was supposed the arm was incapable of doing accurate work. Such statements appeared repeatedly in sportsmen's publications.

After considering the subject for some time, the writer determined to devote his attention to learning as much as he could of the possibilities of modern American pistols and revolvers, giving several years to the study of those arms, and writing on the subject until he had the pleasure of seeing American pistols, revolvers, ammunition, and the skill of those using the same, developed to a point far beyond what it was considered possible.

I have alluded to the revolver supplanting the single-shot pistol for a time. This was chiefly because the revolver was considered a better weapon of defense. As target practice with the pistol increased in popularity, the advantages of each arm were considered to an infinitesimal degree. As a result of this investigation, it became apparent that the single-shot pistol was an arm to be preferred for target work. For a long time it was difficult to determine the difference in accuracy between the two arms. I have summarized the opinions of expert pistol shots, and the result shows that to-day a majority believe that in firing 100 shots at fifty yards on the Standard American target, the pistol is capable of making from fifteen to twenty points more than the revolver. Besides the single-shot pistol being considered more accurate, it can be shot 100 shots or more without cleaning, while the revolver must be cleaned often to maintain its accuracy ; and the ammunition for the single-shot pistol is much cheaper than that used in revolvers.

These are facts which have been demonstrated, and consequently the manufacture of single-shot pistols has been revived in America. The target pistol is now made in greater numbers than ever before ; and while the revolver still holds its popularity, and is owned and shot by most pistol experts, yet the single-shot pistol is more generally used in target and match shooting.

SINGLE-SH T PIS TOLS. 5

Chapter II. American Single-shot Pistols

There are four well-known makers of single-shot pistols in America : the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co., of Chicopee Falls, Mass. ; Smith & Wesson, of Springfield, Mass. ; William WurfHein, of Philadelphia, Penn. ; and The Remington Arms Co., of Ilion, N. Y. Frank Wesson, of Worcester, Mass., was at one time a well-known maker of single-shot pistols, but he is now out of the business, although his pistols are on the market and in use by marksmen to-day. Besides the manufacturers mentioned, there are a few gunmakers who sometimes make pistols to order, but they rarely make such arms except to accommodate some particular customer desiring a special pistol.

Single-shot pistols are made in calibers from .22 to .50. Most of them are made, in .22 caliber ; the Stevens, the Wurfflein, and the Smith & Wesson being chambered and rifled for the celebrated long-rifle cartridge in the .22 caliber, which is extremely accurate at all ranges at which pistols are shot. This celebrated cartridge was originated by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co., and first manufactured by the Union Metallic Cartridge Co., at Bridgeport, Conn., in the spring of 1886. The .25 caliber rim-fire cartridge also enjoys a popularity ; but owing to the expense of that ammunition, and its liability to misfire, it is not so popular as when first introduced. The .22-7—45 inside lubricated rim-fire cartridge, introduced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. in 1890, is rapidly becoming popular, especially with those who carry a pistol for small game shooting.

Most of the single-shot pistols of American make which are exported, are made in larger calibers, and for central-fire cartridges ; the .32 caliber being a popular size, as the central-fire cartridges in this caliber can be found more readily abroad than most American cartridges. The .44 caliber is also a favorite, the latter being chosen by some in order that they may have one cartridge for both pistol and revolver.

I know of no club in the United States that places a limit on the weight of a pistol. This is obviously unnecessary, as it would be difficult to hold at arms-length a pistol beyond a certain weight. Most of the single-shot pistols used for target shooting have barrels ten inches in length. Before rules governing pistol shooting were perfected, there were a number of experts that secured pistols with twelve-inch barrels ; but most rules, at the time of writing, forbid barrels of over ten inches. The length of barrels of revolvers is usually not over six inches, so it will be seen that the pistol has a decided advantage over the revolver.

The famous Stevens single-shot pistols are manufactured by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co., at Chicopee Falls, Mass., and several models are made for different purposes. The largest and heaviest is known as the Lord model. This arm is generally made in .22 caliber with a ten-inch barrel, and weighs in this caliber three pounds. As the size of the caliber is increased, the weight of the arm is slightly lessened. It has a larger frame and a much longer handle than the other models, as the person who suggested the model, Mr. Frank Lord, at one time a celebrated pistol shot of New York City, had a herculean frame, and preferred a pistol with a very long handle. This pistol was formerly rifled and chambered for the .22 caliber short cartridge, but at^the present timejs,^as is the case with all the other .22 caliber pistols manufactured by this company, made for the long-rifle cartridge ; barrels for this cartridge, also for the .22-7-45 Winchester inside lubricated cartridge requiring a quicker twist than in the pistols for the .22 short. The change of

Fig. 1, —Mr. J. Stevens, inventor of The Stevens Pistol.

the twist is a decided advantage, for it enables one to use either the long-rifle cartridge, the short cartridge, or even the conical breech caps if desii ed ; while with the pistols rifled for the .22 short, that cartridge and the conical breech caps alone can be used. The Lord Model Stevens pistols can be bored and rifled for almost all of the Amer-

MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS.

Fig. 2. — The Lord Model Stevens Pistol.

SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS.

ican pistol cartridges, but few are made for larger than .25 caliber. The late Ira Paine preferred the Lord roodel

pistol, and used it in his exhibitions up to the time of his death.

The next model is known as the Conlin model. It usually has a ten-inch barrel, is .22 caliber, and weighs 2^ pounds. This model was named for Mr. James S.

MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS.

Fig. 4. — Fifty consecutive shots witti a Stevens pistol by Lieut. Sumner Paine. Shot at Walnut Hill at fifty yards, Feb. 22, 1892. Score 461. Reduced one-quarter.

Fig. 5. — Fifty consecutive shots at 50 yards by Mr. H. S. Harris. Shot In match at Walnut Hill, Feb. 20, 1892, with a Stevens pistol. Score 455, off-hand count, Target reduced from 8-inch bull's eye.

Coiiliii, the well-known proprietor of Conlin's shooting gallery in New York City. The model formerly had the side-covered trigger, which was never liked by the writer. When deeply interested in pistol shooting, I tried the different pistols manufactured by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. I found the Lord model too heavy for me to

Fig. 6. — Fifty consecutive shots at 50 vanls, shot in a match at Walnut Hill, Feb. 22, 1892, with a Stevens pistol, by Mr. E. E. Patridge. Score 453.

hold steadily, the Conlin model was objected to on account of the side-covered trigger ; therefore I attempted to alter a pistol to better suit me. I procured a Conlin model frame. Cutting off the side trigger guard, I attached the trigger guard of a Lord model pistol ; and when I had altered the arm to better suit me, I forwarded the same to the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. This company immediately made a pistol somewhat like it, which was sent for my inspection. The trigger guard to the new pistol had

MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS.

Fig. 7. — Copy of five consecutive sliots by Mr. J. B. Fellows. Score fifty, out of

a possible fifty on Standard American target; distance fifty yards. Shot with

a .22 caliber Stevens pistol and long rifle cartridge of U. M. C. Co., made

at the Fall Meeting of the Massachusetts Rifle Association 1888.

The highest score made during the meeting.

Target full size.

SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS.

n a spur on it, to which I objected, and the guard was altogether too small to suit me. The J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. asked permission to call the pistol the Gould model,

Fig. 8. — The Gould Model Stevens Pistol.

to which I objected, as it was not like the one I thought I had improved. The trigger guard, with and without the spur, was so much of an improvement over the side-covered trigger, however, that the manufacturers abandoned

MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS.

Fig. 9. — Ten shots at fifty yards, with a Smith & Wessou single-shot pistol, eight-inch barrel chambered and rifled for the Winchester 22-7-45 cartridge. Shot by Major C. W. Hinman.

Fig. 10. — Fifty consecutive shots, at fifty yards, shot by Mr. J. B. Fellows, at

Walnut Hill, Mass., with a Stevens .22 caliber pistol and U. M. C. Co.'s

ammunition. Score, 456 points, shot on fifty yards pistol target.

making the original Conlin model, and called the one without the spur the Gould model, and with the spur the Conhn model.

Another model produced by this company is called the Diamond model. It is much smaller in size, and is made

Fig. 11. — The Diamond Model Stevens Pistol.

with either a ten-inch or a six-inch barrel. The weight of the former is ten ounces, and with the latter twelve ounces. Some two years previous to the time of writing, I carried a six-inch barrel Diamond model to Walnut Hill, and was

Fig. 12. — Stevens Pistol, with 3^ inch barrel.

laughed at heartily for my temerity ; but I had confidence that the arm would shoot accurately. Although I found some difficulty at first in shooting it well, the raillery of my friends influenced me to practice with it until I had demonstrated the arm to be accurate. Several of the marksmen at that famous resort then adopted the arm, a number altering it slightly. Some added a ten-inch

MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS.

barrel and restocked the pistol, whicli makes a very light and extremely accurate pistol when fired with proper

Fig. 13. — Mr. J. B. Fellows, Boston, Amateur Pistol Shot.

sights ; but so light an arm must be handled with delicacy. To those interested in pistol practice who have moderate muscular strength in the arms, the lightness of this model commends itself.

There are two other models made by the above company, which have barrels three and 3^ inches in length, and consequently they do not shoot with anything like the accuracy of the other models. They are intended chiefly for pocket pistols, representing a minimum of compactness with accuracy.

SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS.

\m

Fig. 14, — Stevens Pistols with Skeleton Stocks.

The Stevens pistols have made some of the most wonderful scores known. The barrels, upon which so much depends, seem to be perfect, and probably at the present time there are more Stevens pistols in the hands of famous marksmen throughout the world than of anyother make.

The sights attached to the Stevens target pistols are

Fig. 15. — Sights for Stevens Target Pistols.

generally a bead front sight and a rear wind gauge sight, the latter being operated by a screw. To operate these pistols, half-cock the arm, press the stud on the side which releases the barrel, which tips down, thus exposing the chamber in which the cartridge is placed. The action is then closed, hammer cocked, and the arm discharged.

The Smith & Wesson single-shot pistols have only recently been perfected, and after long and careful consideration characteristic of the firm producing them. It is safe to say there is no finer made pistol in the world than this latest American product. It is compact, symmetrical, made and finished with the highest mechanical skill. The first single-shot pistol produced by this firm was of .38 caliber; a .32 caliber soon followed, both of these calibers taking the central-fire cartridge. The barrels were six inches in length, but American pistol shooters at once called for the .22 caliber and a ten-inch barrel for the long-rifle cartridge. This call was responded to, and the ten-inch single-shot Smith & Wesson pistol has

SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS.

Fig. 16. — The New Smith & Wesson Single-Shot Pistol.

already sprung into popularity, and shown to be unsurpassed for accuracy and reliability.

These pistols have barrels from six to ten inches in length, and are made in calibers from .22 to .38 inclusive, chambered and rifled for the best American pistol cartridges.

The action is the same as the .38 caliber single-action Model 1891 revolver ; in fact, it is the .38 caliber single-action frame, hammer, trigger, trigger guard and lock-work. Into this frame is fitted a single-shot barrel. The barrel is fitted with a fine open bead front sight, and, although very delicate in appearance, is sufficiently strong to prevent being bent in any ordinary use. Other styles of front sights can be used if preferred. A lateral sliding bar wind gauge, similar to the one on the .44 Russian model target revolver, is attached to the barrel clutch. I have stated that the arm had the frame of the .88 caliber revolver. That frame has a stock beautifully modeled, and just right for a revolver with '3^ or four inch barrel, and a cylinder ; for compactness and symmetry is considered in making an arm to be carried in the pocket. But a pistol with a barrel six inches long or even longer, which is intended for target work, might be improved, according to the ideas of pistol experts, by lengthening the handle, and the manufacturers have accomplished this by supplying a new rubber stock, which fits so perfectly over the stock frame as to make a longer and thicker handle, giving ample opportunity for a person with a large hand to grasp the handle perfectly. With this radical change perfect symmetry and balance have been preserved.

The arm is operated by lifting the barrel clutch, and tipping the barrel muzzle downwards, this operatio^i acting on the ejector automatically, ejecting the shell of an exploded cartridge.

SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS.

Fig. 17. —The Wurfflein SinRle-Shot Pistol.

MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS.

The Wurfflein pistols, made by Mr. William Wurfflein, of Philadelphia, are very meritorious arms, thoroughly made of the best material and very accurate. Mr. Wurfflein does not manufacture pistols in any such quantities as the other manufacturers, making the most of his

■Mr. William Wurfflein, Inventor and Manufacturer of the Wurfflein Pistol.

arms to order. The majority of his pistols are with ten-inch barrels, and are .22 caliber for the long-rifle cartridge ; though he will make them for any pistol cartridge, for either central or rim-fire cartridges, or both, and with barrels to interchange in one stock, and with long or short

SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS.

barrels. His pistols weigh from 2f to 3|- pounds. The arm is more like the old style dueling pistol in appear-

Fig. 19. — ^ThejWurfflein Single-Shot Pistol. Open.

ance than any other American pistol now manufactured. It is operated as follows : —

The projecting piece back of the hammer is pressed,

24 MODERN AMEBIC AX PISTOLS AXD REVOLVERS.

which releases the barrel, which has a tip-up action, enabling the shooter to readily insert a cartridge or withdraw an exploded case.

Mr. WuriSein makes pistols to order with special shaped stocks or other points desired by customei*s.

Fig. 20.— Fifty eonsetnitive sllot^^. at fifty yards, by INlv. Sunmer Faino. at Walnut

Hill, ,lmie 4.18;t-2. made with AVurttlein .-2 ialil>Vv pistol. Si\)ie, 4i:2. whioli

at time of shooting, tied the best amateur reeord for fifty shots

with pistol. Target reducetl to \i original size.

The Remington shigle-shot pistols are much less elegant pieces of workmanship than the Stevens, the Wurftiein, or the Smith c^^ Wesson ; but there are excellent points about these arms which will be apparent to the inspector as he examines them. They possess great strength and wearing qualities, are accurate ; and although not particularly symmetrical, they are well balanced, and have such excellent handles that, when grasped, there is a feeling of firmness and steadiness which is verified when the shooter attempts to sight it on a small object. The pistols are made in .22, .25, and .32 caliber; the .25 caliber

SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS.

Fig. 21.— The Remington Single-Shot Pistol.

^6 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REFOLVEMS.

being adapted for the rim-fire cartridge, and the .32 caliber for the short or long rim-fire Smith & Wesson and the .32 Winchester central-fire cartridges. The pistol is also made in .50 caliber with full round barrel and for central-fire shell. They have barrels eight, ten, or twelve inches long.

The action is similar to the old model Remington rifle. The hammer is brought to a full cock, a breech block rolled back, which permits the barrel, which is screwed into a solid frame, being inspected from the rear, and is thus easily cleaned. All attempts to procure discharges from these arms with action improperly closed have been unsuccessful, and can see no reason why they are not as safe as they are accurate. Their unusual strength and weight make them desirable arms for long range pistol practice, as they will stand a much heavier charge, with comfort to the shooter, than would ever be required for shooting at any range.

The Wesson single-shot pistols were formerly manufactured by Frank Wesson, at Worcester, Mass. They are operated as follows : The hammer is slightly raised and held by a pin pressed in from the side ; a projecting stud is pressed at the bottom of the receiver, and the barrel turned over to one side, — the shell of the exploded cartridge thrown out by the extractor. The arms are well balanced, fitted with good sights of different styles, and are accurate, but not to be compared in accuracy at fifty yards with the more modern pistols with quicker twist, and shooting improved ammunition.

The Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Co., of Hartford, Conn., formerly made three styles of single-shot Deringers. Two of these arms are no longer manufactured, though some are in use. To operate the old national Deringer, set the hammer at half cock, grasp the stock

SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS.

Fig. 22.- Colt National Deringer. Not now manufactured.

'28 MODFRy A}rEliICAN PISTOLS AND HE VOL VH US.

in iho light hand, and, drawing back iho siool Inmon with the fore linger, rotate the Ixirrel toward von with

SI^'GLE-SIIOT PISTOLS.

Fig. 24. — Colt Deringer. Not now manufactured.

the left hand. Holding the barrel thus turned aside, introduce the cartridge, and then rotate it to its original position. After firing, the empty shell may be ejected by rotating the barrel as directed for loading.

In the Deringer now manufactured the barrel is held in place by a friction catch ; pushing the barrel makes it revolve on a pivot and eject automatically.

The weight of the old Deringers are about ten ounces each ; the one made now weighs 7i ounces. They are powerful pistols of large bore, intended for weapons of defense at short range.

Chapter III. The Colt Revolver

The armory of the Colt's Patent Fire- Arms Manufacturing Company is located at Hartford, Conn., where the famous Colt revolvers, so favorably known throughout the world are manufactured. Samuel Colt, the inventor of the Colt revolver, commenced devising the mechanism of this arm as early as 1830 ; and the result of his ingenuity and skill is the large plant at Hartford, where the Colt revolver has been produced in great quantities for half a century ; the establishment consists of a number of buildings, having a total machine floor space of 7i acres, while there are actually 11.6 miles of live belting. The styles of revolvers made by this company are as follows : —

Single-Action Army Revolver : length of pistol, 12 inches ; length of barrel, 1\ inches ; bore or caliber, .45 inch ; weight, two pounds five ounces ; rifling, six grooves, one revolution in sixteen inches ; depth of groove, .005 inch ; six shot.

Cartridge. — Weight of powder, forty grains ; weight of lead, 250 grains. Central-fire, external priming.

Army and Frontier Revolver : double-action ; full length of pistol, 12 J inches ; length of barrel, 4f, 5|-, and 7 inches ; weight of pistol with 7J-inch barrel, two pounds seven ounces ; caliber, .45 inch ; six shot. Made with barrels of any length, and for the old U. S. regulation cartridge, or the .44 caliber magazine rifle cartridge. The revolver taking the latter cartridge is known as the Frontier model,

MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS.

New Navy Revolver: double-action; caliber, .38 and .41 ; central-fire ; length of pistol, IH inches ; weight, two pounds ; length of barrel, three, 4|-, and six inches.

New Model, .41 : double-action ; central-fire ; caliber, .41 ; six shot ; length of barrels, 4-|-, five, and six inches.

New Army Revolver : double-action ; caliber, .38 and .41 ; central-fire ; length of pistol, 11:|^ inches ; weight, two

Fig. 25. —Col. Samuel Colt, Inventor of the Colt Revolver.

pounds ; length of barrels, three, 4|-, and six inches.

New Model, .38: double-action; central-fire; caliber, .38 ; six shot ; length of barrels, 2^, 3^, 4^, five and six inches.

THE COL T RE VOL VER.

Fig. 26. — Original Colt Revolver.

New Target Revolver, in .32, .38, .44 and .45 caliber, made on single-action frame. This company also makes these revolvers for the Russian model .44 caliber cartridge, and for .436, .450, .455, and .476 Ely cartridges. These are made with long handles expressly for target work.

New Pocket Revolver (Army revolver design): .32 caliber ; 2 J, 31- and six-inch barrels ; weight, sixteen ounces.

The above models represent the various revolvers made at the Colt armory at the time of writing ; but there will be found in use many Colt revolvers made up differently than those mentioned. There are thousands of the old model army and nav}" revolvers in existence to-day which load at the muzzle of the cylinder. In this model, as well as the .38 caliber, many have been altered to breech loaders, to shoot the central-fire cartridges, and are accurate and fine shooting arms. There are also in use old and new model Colt revolvers with various lengths of barrels and odd calibers, to suit the whims and fancies of individuals requiring a revolver for a particular kind of work ! revolvers in single action of various calibers, without a trigger, and fired by drawing back the hammer with the thumb, and releasing it, as well as by pressing back the hammer with the left hand, and releasing it, with the object of discharging the arm more rapidly than it could by cocking ; Ai my and Frontier models with very short barrels, for parties desiring the most powerful revolver made in the most compact form, suitable for short range only, and sacrificing accuracy. The army model Colt revolver has the following mechanism : —

The hand, or finger, or pawl, which revolves the cylinder has two points, one above the other. The upper engages the ratchet of the cylinder when the revolution begins. But before the necessary sixth of a revolution could be made, as the pawl moves in a plane, and the ratchet tooth

THE COLT REVOLVER.

Fig. 27. — Colt Double- Action, .38 and .41 calibers. No. 1.

in the arc of a circle whose plane is perpendicular to the pawl's plane of motion, the pawl would lose its hold on the tooth, and the revolution of the cylinder would stop. To prevent this, the second point is added; and just as the first point will disengage from the ratchet, the second or lower point engages another tooth of the ratchet and completes the revolution. By this arrangement the pawl actuates a larger ratchet than it could otherwise, and therefore exerts more force upon the cylinder, by acting upon a longer lever arm. This permits a ratchet of greater diameter, insuring greater leverage, facilitating rotation.