Book _ -IjzlcL^l COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/modernamericanpiOOgoul I THE MECCA OF PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTERS> CLUB HOUSE AND SHOOTING PAVILION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS RIFLE ASSOCIATION, WALNUT HILL, WOBUPN, MASS. MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. AX ACOOUXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PISTOLS AXD REVOLVERS IN AMEUICA DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETIES MANUFACTURED; MANNER OF SHOOTING them; WORK ACCOMPLISHED WITH THESE ARMS; DEPARTMENTS OF PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING ; IMPRESSIONS FORMED BY STUDYING THESE arms; and RULES GOVERNING PISTOL AND REVOLVER COMPETITIONS. y^" BY A; c/'gOULD (''Ralph Greenwood.") JlllustvatrD, JYEJV REVISED EDITION. 35 0STON: 1 ] R A ] ) L E E W 1 1 1 D D E N 1894. ^v- %C 2Jl ^^ Copyright, 18SS, By a. C. GOULD & CO. Copyright, 189i, By BRADLEE WHIDDEX, ALL UiailTS liESEUVED. 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 pre- vailed that there was little or no accuracy in the arms, or if they were accurate, those manipulating them skill- fully 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 battal- ions, cavalry and artillery, has, until recently, been almost wholly neglected. A. C. G. CONTENTS. PAGE Chapter I. Development of American Pistols and Revolvers 1, Chapter II. American Single-Shot Pistols .... Chapter III. The Colt Revolver Chapter IV. American Revolvers. — Smith & Wesson's Productions Chapter V. Miscellaneous Revolvers. — Revolvers Classified Chapter VI. Test of Military Revolvers by the United States Ordnance Board 5 31 51 75 81 97 107 127 Chapter VII. Target Revolvers Chapter VIII. Pocket Revolvers ...... Chapter IX. Ammunition for Pistols and Revolvers , Chapter X. Reloading Ammunition for Pistols and Revolvers 145 Chapter XI. Revolver Shooting Record in America . . . 155 Chapter XII. Some Performances with the Pistol . . . ITS Chapter XIII. Pistol and Revolver Shooting at Long Range. . 189 Chapter XIV. Impressions Formed by luA^estigations . . 195 Chapter XV. Rules for Pistol and Revolver Shooting . . . 204 115oofes? b^ ^* C* ^oulD* MODKKx Amekicax Rifles. Royal 8vo, cloth, $2.00. Sport; ok, Fishixg axd Shootixg. Quarto. Five Sections. 850.00. Modern Abcericax Pistols axd Revolvers. Royal 8vo, cloth, $1.50. BRADLEE WHIDDEN, Publisher, 8 Arch Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 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 manu- facture 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. 2 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 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 em- ployed. 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 con- sidered 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 appar- ently 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 cart- ridges 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 muzzle- loading 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 generally- believed by the shooting fraternity that, with one excep- tion, 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 sports- men'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 appar- ent 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 ac- 4 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. curacy ; 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. 6 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 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 un- necessary, 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 manufact- ured 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 SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 1 is the case with all the other .22 caliber pistols manu- factured by this company, made for the long-rifle cart- ridge ; 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- 8 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. Fig. 2. — The Lord Model Stevens Pistol. SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 9 ican pistol cartridges, but few are made for larger than .25 caliber. The late Ira Paine preferred the Lord roodel Fiif. 3. — The Con'in Model Stevens Pi?tol. 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. 10 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. SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 11 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 immedi- ately made a pistol somewhat like it, which was sent for my inspection. The trigger guard to the new pistol had 12 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 alto- gether 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 14 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. SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. ' 15 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 16 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 com- pany, 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. 11 \m Fig. 14, — Stevens Pistols with Skeleton Stocks. 18 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 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 any- other 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 con- sideration 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, sym- metrical, 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. 19 Fig. 16. — The New Smith & Wesson Single-Shot Pistol. 20 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. \ already sprung into popularity, and shown to be unsur- passed 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 car- tridges. 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 con- sidered 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 act- ing on the ejector automatically, ejecting the shell of an exploded cartridge. SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 21 Fig. 17. —The Wurfflein SinRle-Shot Pistol. 22 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 quan- tities as the other manufacturers, making the most of his Fig. 18. ■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 car- tridge ; 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. 23 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 with- draw 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 ele- gant 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 par- ticularly 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. 25 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 manufact- ured 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 car- tridge 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 manufact- ured, though some are in use. To operate the old national Deringer, set the hammer at half cock, grasp the stock SINGLE-SHOT PISTOLS. 27 Fig. 22.- Colt National Deringer. Not now manufactured. '28 MODFRy A}rEliICAN PISTOLS AND HE VOL VH US. V\c- -^- — Colt IVriusix^r. in iho light hand, and, drawing back iho siool Inmon with the fore linger, rotate the Ixirrel toward von with SI^'GLE-SIIOT PISTOLS. 29 Fig. 24. — Colt Deringer. Not now manufactured. the left hand. Holding the barrel thus turned aside, in- troduce the cartridge, and then rotate it to its original 30 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. ^ 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. THE COLT REVOLVER. 31 CHAPTER III. THE COLT REVOLVER. The armory of the Colt's Patent Fire- Arms Manu- facturing Company is located at Hartford, Conn., where the famous Colt revolvers, so favorably known through- out 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 com- pany 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 car- tridge, or the .44 caliber magazine rifle cartridge. The revolver taking the latter cartridge is known as the Frontier model, 32 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. 33 Fig. 26. — Original Colt Revolver. 34 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 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 individ- uals 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. 35 Fig. 27. — Colt Double- Action, .38 and .41 calibers. No. 1. 36 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 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. The cylinder has a bushing, which projects in front of it, and gives three surfaces upon which the cylinder re- volves, thus diminishing the chance of sticking from dirt or rust, and also giving a very small axis upon which to revolve, decreasing the moment of friction. This point, it is claimed, is especially advantageous in preventing the revolver from becoming inoperative when exposed to the elements. When the ejector is used, it springs back to its place, and is ready for use again, avoiding the necessity of put- ting it back. To TAKE APART THE REVOLVER. Half COck the revolver, loosen the catch screw which holds the center pin, draw out the center pin, open the gate, and the cylinder can then be withdrawn. To remove the ejector, turn out the ejector tube screw, then push the front end away from the barrel, and pull it toward the muzzle. The barrel can then be unscrewed. The stock can be removed by turning out the two screws just behind the hammer, and that at the bottom of the strap. All the parts of the lock are then displayed, and can be readily separated. The cylinder bushing should be pushed out for cleaning. TEE COLT REVOLVER. a7 Fig. 28. — Colt Double-Action, 38 and .41 calibers. 38 MODLRX AM ERIC Ay PISTOLS ASD RSrOLrERS. To remove the gi\te, turn out a screw iu the kiwer side of the fn\me, hidden by the trigger giiaixi, then the gj\te spring and oatoh can 1h? withdrawn, and the gate can be pushed out. To load the arm. — Fii-st motion : Hokling the revol- ver in the left hand, muzzle down^^-ard, half cook it with the right hand and oj^^en the gate. Second motion : Insert the cartridges in succession with the right hand, close the gi\te, cock luid tire, taking it in the right hand, or bring the hammer to the safety notch, as may be desii-ed. To eject the cartridge shells. — First motion. Hold- ing tlio arm in the left hand, half cock with the right hand and open the gi\te. Second motion. Eject the shells in succession with the ejector pushed by the right hand, movino^ the cvlinder with the thumb and foi*etinofer of the left hand. When the shells have been ejected, the revolver is ready for the second motion of kx^ding. There are three notches in the hammer of this arm. The tii-st is the safety notch, the second is the half-cock notch, and the third is the cook notch. The pistol cannot Iv tired when the hammer rests in the s^ifety notch or hiilf-cock notch, and c;ui be tired by pulling the trigger when the hammer rests in the cock notch. The manu- facturers of the Colt revolver state that the arm s-hould be carried with the hammer restini:: in the safetv notch : but manv armv othcers and frontiersmen habit uallv carried one chamber of the revolver empty, with the hammer down on the empty chamber. There will alwa}-s be many revolver shooters who prefer an arm with a solid fmnie. These persons will unhesitatingly select the Colt revolver. The strength of this arm is undoubted, and it is believevi that an un- biased judge would awi^rd the claim of superiority in stauiling rough us;\ge to the Colt revolver. There has THE COLT KJErOLVER. 89 Fig, 29. — Colt Army Double-Action, .44 and .45 caliber. 40 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. been much testimony relative to the merits of different American arms presented by expert revolver shots during the past few years ; the special uses of certain arms have made prominent desirable or undesirable features which have been pointed out. A careful summarizing of the opinions shows that a majority of revolver experts beheve that the Colt revolver is not made with such delicacy of parts as some other arms ; but it is evident that this very want of delicacy of the parts is much in favor of its adoption by those desiring a revolver powerful, accu- rate, and less affected by exposure to .the elements ; per- mitting neglect of care after using, and requiring less attention while using. It is believed that more shots can be fired from the Colt revolver without cleaning, and have it work well, than any other revolver of American Fig. 30. — Colt Old Army Single-Action. make. But with the cleaning found necessary to secure accuracy even with this arm, it seems to demand less attention than other revolvers ; accurate shooting has been secured repeatedly, even after firing 100 shots, by simply swabbing out the barrel with a brush or clean- ning rod with a cloth drawn through a slot, and without removing the cylinder, which worked well after firing 200 shots. The combined points of the solid frame and the arm being unaffected, so far as operating it is COU' THE COLT REVOLVER. 41 Fig. 31. — Mr. E. J. Darliugton, Wilmington. Del. Amateur Pistol and Kevolver Shot. 42 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. cerned, by neglecting to clean it while using or after- ward, has made the Colt revolver the chosen arm of many frontiersmen, and probably influenced the mem- bers of the Government Ordnance Board in the past to favor this arm. The old Army .45 caliber and Frontier model .44 caliber are identical in model, the difference being in the Fig. 32. — Mr. Will E. Carlin, Amateur Pistol and Revolver Shot. caliber and the chambering. The cartridge for the Colt revolver formerly adopted by the U. S. Government, .45 caliber straight, is loaded with forty grains of powder and a 250 grain bullet. The .44 caliber Frontier model takes a magazine rifle cartridge holding forty grains of powder and a 200 grain bullet. Both of these cartridges are powerful and accurate. There is an apparent difference in the recoil, it being less in the .44 caliber rifle cartridge; THE COLT RE VOL VER. 4 3 the fifty grains more of lead in the .45 caliber govern- ment cartridge noticeably increasing recoil. In a number of tests made with these two cartridges, better results were generally secured with the .44 caliber rifle car- tridge, taking six shots for a standard, it being the number of chambers in these revolvers. It was not difficult to place the six shots in a five-inch circle at a distance of fifty yards, often in a four-inch circle, and Fig. 33. — Thirty shots at 121/2 yards with .44 caliber Colt revolver, by Mr. W. E. Carlin. occasionally, with the .44 caliber 40-200 cartridge, a three- inch circle would touch or enclose all of the shots. The .41 and .38 caliber revolvers of this company's make are very accurate and reliable arms ; the .38 caliber, with the six and seven inch barrels, are chosen by persons desiring an accurate, quite powerful, and pleasant shoot- ing weapon. The .38 caliber with the six and seven inch barrels are surprisingly accurate up to fifty yards ; the recoil is light and not unpleasant. The charge is less powerful 44 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. than the .44 and .45, but about as heavy as is possible in an arm of its size and weight, and retain a satisfactory- degree of accuracy. It is not difficult, in shooting with a rest, to place six shots with this arm within a three-inch circle at fifty 3^ards ; and this feat has been accomplished in off-hand shooting with a .38 caliber Colt revolver with a seven-inch barrel. Notwithstanding the admitted excellence of the Colt revolvers, as formerly used by the United States Army and Navy, there was developed a feeling that the .44 and .45 calibers were unnecessarily powerful. Many papers were written by officers of the service recommending a revolver which could be reloaded quicker than the Colt revolver then in use, and shooting a less powerful car- tridge. As a result the New Colt Double-Action Self- Cocking revolver, .38 caliber, was produced, and first adopted by the United States Navy, and later with slight modifications by the United States Army and the volunteer forces of several States. A description of this new model is as follows : — Its cylinder contains six chambers. In order to facili- tate the loading of cartridges, and to alloAv the simultane- ous ejection of the emptied cartridge shells, the cylinder is so mounted upon a crane, pivoted in the frame below the cylinder seat, that, on drawing the cylinder latch to the rear, the C3dinder SAvings to the left and downward out of its seat in the frame. In this position all the cham- bers are presented for loading, while pressure against the end of the ejector rod under the barrel ejects all the shells. Then, after ejecting and loading, the cylinder is returned to its seat in the frame, the cylinder latch automatically securing it there. The manufacturers of the Colt revolver claim, by this construction all the facilities for loading and eject- THE COLT REVOLVER. 45 Fig. 34. —Colt Army Model 1892, .38 and .41 calibers. 46 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. ing are obtained without sacrificing the important fea- ture of a sohd frame, such as all modern Colt pistols show; for, there being no hinge or joint in the frame between the barrel and stock, there is no wearing which might disturb the accuracy of the pistol. Its working is simple, so as to be understood at once, while the absence of complicated and delicate parts prevents it from getting out Fig. 35— Cole Army Revolver Model 1892, showing mode of Extracting Shells. of order. The lock mechanism also is very simple and strong. The hammer may be cocked by the thumb or by the trigger, and after firing it rebounds, and is positively locked in this safety position, so that it cannot strike the primer of a cartridge until it is again cocked. The cylinder cannot be swung out of the frame unless the hammer is in its safety position, and the act of swinging the cylinder out of the frame automatically locks the trigger and the hammer in this position. Thus premature discharges during manip- ulation are prevented, as also accidental discharges from blows, such as result from a fall, etc. THE COLT RE VOL VER. 47 The falling of the hammer from any position cannot fire a shot unless the trigger is fully pulled back at the same time, as only then the hammer can fall beyond Fig. 36.— Old Model Colt Revolver, with Stock Attachment. the safety position. The hand or pawl which rotates the cylinder has two working points to engage the cylinder ratchet, and by an ingenious construction this pawl also serves as cylinder bolt, and positively prevents any further 48 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS, rotation after one of the chambers in the cylinder coincides with the bore of the barrel. The cylinder latch prevents its backward rotation. Fig. 37 — Colt New Pocket .32 Caliber. Fig. 34 gives a view of it as closed ; Fig. 35 shows it with the cylinder swung out, and the ejector is repre- sented in the act of throwing out the empty shells, after THE COLT REVOLVER. 49 which it will be automatically returned to its place in the cylinder, which then will be ready for loading. The latest product of this company is known as the New Pocket Revolver. This model embodies the princi- Fig, 38.— Colt New Pocket Revolver. pies of the new model army revolver made by this company, but is on a small scale, the arm being intended as a pocket weapon. It is chambered and rifled for various .32 caliber cartridge, and will shoot either long 50 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. or short Colt cartridge, or the .32 Smith & Wesson car- tridges. It can, like the army model, be used either as a single-action revolver, or as double-action. The arm is Fig. 39. — Diagram of twelve successive shots, full size, at fourteen measured yards, by Mr. Walter Winans Shot at the Brighton, Eng., Rifle Gallery, Feb. 14, 1889, vk^itli a Colt .45-caliber revolver, with full charge English Army Ammunition " Mark i." Score 116 out of a possible 120. compact, well made, and have no reason to doubt its accuracy, but at the time of writing have not been able to submit it to a practical test. It weighs one pound. Fig. 37 shows the revolver, as does Fig. 38, the latter illustrating the mode of extracting the shells after firing. SMITE & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 51 CHAPTER IV. AMERICAN REVOLVERS — SIVHTH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. The armory of Messrs. Smith & Wesson is at Spring- field, Mass., and is said to be tlie most complete estab- lishment for the manufacture of revolvers in the world. The work produced at this armory has an extensive reputation, their products being sent to nearly every country on the globe. The revolvers are beautifully made, as perfect as it seems possible to construct them : they have a pleasing contour, are symmetrical, well bal- anced, and possess great accuracy. These revolvers were formerly constructed in calibers from .22 to .45, but a few years ago this firm discontinued making the .22 caliber. Formerly the .22 and .32 calibers were opened by pressing a clutch under the action, and the barrel and cylinder were pushed upward; the cylinder was then removed, and the shells, extracted from the cylinder by a fixed post. Later, the invention of the automatic shell ejector was added, and the revolver opened by a clasp ; the barrel and cylinders tip downward, the action at the same time ejecting the shells. This mechanism is one of the greatest inventions ever made in connection with revolvers, and was quickly adopted by most of the revolver manufacturers, both at home and abroad, as early as the patents covering the invention expired. All of the revolvers now made at the factory of Smith & Wesson are after this model, and are known as follows : — New Model Army, No. 3 : weight, 2|- pounds ; central- fire ; caliber .44 ; six shot ; length of barrel, 6J- inches. 52 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. Fiii'. 40. — Mr. D. 13. Wesson, inventor of the Smith & Wesson Revolver. SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 53 New Model Navy, No. 3 : double-action ; central-fire ; caliber .44 ; six shot ; weight, 2^\ pounds ; length of bar- rel, four, five, and six inches. Fig. 41. — Smith & Wesson Navy Revolver, adapted for various .44 caliber cartridges. Frontier Revolver : .44 caliber ; single-action ; central- fire ; weight, 2^^ pounds ; six shot ; length of barrel, four, five, and 6|- inches. Frontier Revolver : .44 caliber; double-action; central- 54 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS Fiff . 42. — Smith & AVesson Army Revolver. Adapted for the Russian or the Frontier Cartridge. fire ; weight, 2^^^ pounds ; six shot ; length of barrel, four, five, six, and 6j inches. SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 55 New Model .38, model of 1891 : weight, sixteen ounces ; central-fire; caliber .38; five shot; length of barrel, 3 J, four, five and six inches. New Model .38 : double-action ; central-fire ; caliber .38 ; five shot ; weight, 18 ounces ; length of barrel, 3J-, four, five, and six inches. New Model .32 : weight, thirteen ounces; central-fire; Fig. 43. — Ten shots at fifty yards by Mr. F" E. Bennett. Shot with a Smith & Wesson .44 caliber Russian Model Revolver with U. S. Cartridge Go's ammunition. caliber .32; five shot; length of barrel, three, 3|-, and six inches. New Model .32 : double-action ; central-fire ; caliber .32 ; five shot ; weight, fourteen ounces ; length of barrel, three, 3|- and six inches. NcAV Model Hammerless Safety Revolver : central-fire ; calibers .32 and .38; weight in .38 caliber, 18^- ounces, with barrels of different lengths. 56 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. New Target Revolver, .32-.44 : single-action ; central- fire ; six shot ; weight, 2\\ pounds ; length of barrel, 6|- inches. New Target Revolver, .38-.44 : single-action ; central- fire ; six shot ; weight, 2^-^ pounds ; length of barrel, 6i inches. Probably the chief reason why the products of Smith & Wesson are so excellent, is because since 1859, this firm has been engaged exclusively in this special line of work. They endeavored to procure and construct the most complete and perfect machinery for the manufacture of their revolvers ; and by the system of inspection of parts adopted by this firm, the slightest imperfection in material and workmanship may be detected, and when discovered is instantly condemned. It has been my privilege to visit the factory of Smith & Wesson many times, where the greatest freedom was granted me for inspecting the various processes of manu- facturing these famous revolvers. The highest mechanical skill is employed ; the minutest defect of a part causes it to be rejected ; the gauges are superfinely constructed, and when a part is fitted to a gauge it is so perfect that the human eye can scarcely detect the part from the gauge. The barrels, cylinders, and all the small parts, are made of the best quality of cast steel, and the framework of Bessemer steel, made at Troy, N. Y. I have closely watched the impressions made upon some of the most skillful mechanics in America when a Smith & Wesson revolver was submitted for their inspection. These severest of critics would seem to revel in the pleasure they experienced in seeing such a perfect piece of mechanical work, and unhesitatingly commended the workmanship in the highest terms. A famous maker of hand-made dueling pistols in France spent days in SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 57 examining the Smith & Wesson Russian model army re- volver, using a magnifying glass for the purpose of putting on the finest possible finish in the mechanism, in order to Fig. 44. — Smith & Wesson Target Revolver, made in .45, .44, .38 and .32 caliber. gain an absolute perfect working of the parts. He pro- nounced it the finest work he had ever seen produced by machinery. 58 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. One of the noticeable points of excellence in the Smith & Wesson revolver, insured by the perfection of the parts, is the complete revolution of the cylinder, which brings the chamber exactly opposite the barrel when the revolver is cocked ; it being absolutely necessary that the chamber be opposite the barrel at the moment of the dis- charge of the weapon to secure accurate results at a long distance. I have fired shots, from revolvers well known to the trade, where the cylinder did not bring the cham- bers exactly opposite the barrel, and on shooting the bullets into soft snow, gathering them afterwards for inspection, I found one side of the bullet shaved or scraped off, which I believe the reader will see is hkely to im- pair the accuracy of the arm. This fault is common in the cheap revolvers, but is not found in Smith & Wesson revolvers. The arm is operated as follows : Holding the revolver by the handle in the right hand, lift the barrel catch with the left thumb and forefinger. When the barrel catch is clear of the barrel, the cylinder tips downward, the car- tridges are then placed in the chambers, the barrel is swung back into position, when the barrel catch locks the parts together ; the hammer cocked, the arm discharged, then opened as before described, the barrel brought down to a certain point, which acts automatically, and ejects the shells. The .32 and .38 caliber revolvers manufactured by this firm are chiefly used for pocket weapons ; but some are manufactured with barrels six inches in length, which make excellent target pistols for twenty-five or fifty yards' shooting ; those of the latter caliber are now classed with military revolvers. Since revolver shooting has become popular in America, a more intelligent study of this arm has been made by marksmen than ever before; and SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 59 while the advantages of a solid framed revolver with a fixed barrel are admitted for certain uses, it seems to be generally admitted that for fine work, where accuracy is the chief object, no revolver is equal to one which permits an inspection of the inside of the barrel. Any revolver which takes a cartridge of sufficient power to make it Fig. 45. — Smith «fc Wesson .38 caliber Single-Action Pocket Revolver. a suitable weapon of defense, will foul, with most of the present ammunition in use, to such an extent as to impair the revolver's accuracy after a dozen shots, and many believe such is the case with a less number. It is therefore the custom of all the best revolver shots the writer has ever met, when using full charges and wishing to do fine work, to clean the inside of the barrel as often as every ten shots ; an easy operation with revolvers made by this firm. The old American model Smith & Wesson revolver was a great favorite with those who knew what weapon to select for reliable work. Many are in use to-day, and highly valued as very accurate weapons ; but this model was superseded by a new model army re- 60 MODERIf AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. volver, which is generally known as the .44 caliber Russian model, the name being given on account of the Russian government purchasing 150,000 of them for her cavalry. This model seems to grow in popularity each year, and many of the best revolver target shots in Amer- ica have selected it as their choice of weapon. Some time ago, when the late Chevalier Ira Paine, the expert pistol shot, decided to introduce revolver shooting as one of the attractions of his exhibitions, he consulted Gastine Renette, Fig. 46. — Smith & Wesson .38 caliber Double-Action Pocket Revolver. the famous pistol manufacturer of France, as to the best weapon for his purpose. His object was to find the most accurate revolver which would shoot a light charge at short range, indoors, avoiding noise and smoke, and a charge powerful enough to do accurate shooting up to fifty yards or more, powerful enough to be considered an army pistol. These two experts spent a great amount of time in this work, firing thousands of shots from a rest and off-hand. They soon discovered what the writer has mentioned, that, with revolvers of some make, the SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 61 chambers not stopping exactly opposite the barrel, the accuracy was affected ; but in all their experiments no revolvers came so near perfection as the .44 caliber Russian model Smith & Wesson revolver, and Chevalier Paine Fig. 47. — Smith & Wesson .32 caliber Single-Action Pocket Revolver. used that revolver exclusively until his death, in his stage work and outdoor shooting. As there are many who wish to shoot a light charge for target-work, but recognize that the six-inch barrel is necessary, as well as a handle of proper size to grasp, the manufacturers have produced .32 and .38 calibers in this mode], which have become popular, for they are very accurate, and have excellent sights for fine work. Of those who select the Smith & Wesson revolver a majority choose the Russian model ; a portion select- ing the .32 or .38 calibers and many the .44 caliber. Those who choose the .44 desiring to shoot a weapon which is both powerful and accurate, the Russian model possessing both of these points. In testing this model .44 caliber for accuracy at a distance of fifty yards, taking six shots for a test, this being the number of chambers in the cylinder, marksmen have repeatedly. 62 JIODEBX AMEBIC AX PISTOLS AND BEVOLVEBS. when shooting the arm \rith a rest, placed the six shots in a three-inch circle at fifty yards. A new departure in revolvers was made in the Smith & Wesson hammerless safety revolver, which was put on the market' a few years ago, and possesses many points of orioinalitv and excellence. The inventor of this novel mechanism is Mr. D. B. Wesson, who has previously con- tributed so much toward developing the American Fig. 4S. — Smith & Wesson .32 caliber Double- Action Pocket Revolver. revolver. The principle is applied to a pocket revolver or to a military revolver. A hammerless revolver, a short time ago, would have been considered an unsafe weapon. In this new revolver will be found less liability to accidental discharge than in any weapon of its class I have ever inspected, this being one of the chief objects kept in mind while the inventor developed his mechanism. A large proportion of the accidents which occur with revolvers arise from carelessly manipulating the hammer or trigger, or from leaving the wea^^on full cocked for some child or novice to find and accidentally discharge. The SMITE & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 63 pulls on different revolvers vary to such an extent that sometimes when a strange revolver with an exposed ham- mer is in the hands of an expert, an accidental discharge is liable to occur. This is avoided in the new hammerless revolver. In addition to the visible hammer being the cause of many accidents is the constant annoyance caused by its projecting and interfering with quickly drawing the Fig. 49. — Smith & Wesson .38 caliber Hammerless Revolver, six inch barrel classed as Army Revolver, with four inch barrel and under as Pocket Revolvers. weapon from the pocket or holster. The weapon described is for the use of the soldier, the police officer, or for those called upon to use this weapon of defense rapidly and effectively. Hence a self-acting or self-cocking revolver is desirable ; and by dispensing with the projecting outside hammer the rapidity of action in drawing the weapon is increased, and a desirable point gained. The illustration shows the mechanism of the new arm. 64 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. A is the safety lever, B safety latch, C hammer, D trigger, F mainspring, G safety-latch spring. The ham- Fig. 50. — Illustration of mechanism of Smith & Wesson Hammerless Revolver. mer C, which is acted upon and raised by the trigger D, as in their self-cocking arms, is kept constantly locked by the safety-latch B, which is held in position by the safety- latch spring G. The point is emphasized, that when not in use the arm cannot be discharged, as will be seen from the arrangement of the parts. When held in the hand SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 65 for firing, the natural pressure exerted by the hand in the movement of pulling trigger, and the approach to the point where the last ounce of pressure discharges the weapon is easily detected. Previous to the last ounce of pressure being given, a careful aim is taken, the final pressure applied, and the weapon discharged. Soon after the Smith & Wesson hammerless revolver was placed upon the market the attention of officers of the U. S. Cavalry was attracted to the arm. Considerable correspondence in relation to the matter was developed. This correspondence was in the form of letters from Col. Elmer Otis of 8th U. S. Cavalry, and others, to the Assistant Adjutant General of the Department of Dakota, and communications to the Adjutant General U. S. Army and Assistant Adjutant General Department of Dakota, as well as to Capt. Philip Reade, 3d Infantry, Inspector of Small Arms Practice, Division of the Missouri. At that time I was invited by army officers to give my opinion as to the best revolver for the U. S. Army, but the nature of my position forbade my doing so if I desired ; besides I preferred to be a chronicler of events rather than an advocate of any system. It was evident that Colonel Otis and others had a prefer- ence for the Smith & Wesson hammerless safety revolver, judging from the following excerpts, which also show some changes were desired in revolver practice in the U. S. Army. Colonel Otis recommended removing pistol practice from carbine practice, in order that proper atten- tion be given to becoming proficient in the use of the revolver. He said : " The pistol practice should be as extensive as that for the carbine. For close quarters it is a most efficient arm if properly handled. But it is intended only for close and rapid firing. I would not desire men whom I lead to commence firing at a greater 66 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. distance than twenty yards, and recommend lowering the pistol, extending the arm and firing, the same as you would point your finger. As you fire at least two shots with the pistol to one with the carbine, half the time (one month) allotted to the former is sufficient. " It is thought," continued Colonel Otis, " that a double- action revolver would add greatly to the accuracy of fire. The danger of premature discharge with a double-action pistol, constructed like the Smith & Wesson, is thought Fiff. 51. — Smitli & Wesson .32 caliber Hanimeiiess Revolver. to be less than with the present revolver. The .45-caliber is unnecessarily large, and the range greater than there is any need for. A reduction in the former, therefore, decreasing weight of pistol and ammunition, would be a gain to the trooper in comfort, and would not detract from the effectiveness of the weapon. An effective range of sixty yards is sufficient, and a pistol would not and should not be used at a greater. I desire to have my regiment armed with a good, strong, and effective pistol before the commencement of this season's practice, and request to be informed whether or not requisitions for SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 6T Fig. 52. — Smith & "Wesson Revolver with Rifle Stock attached. 68 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. the Smith & Wesson double-action revolver can be filled. A trial would afford an opportunity for comparison for the two classes of pistols, and demonstrate which would be the better arm for mounted troops. " The pistol can be made an effective arm in the hands of instructed men, but the first requisite is that the weapon itself be as perfectly constructed as possible. If we are to have a pistol, let us have the best, and let us be properly instructed in the same, so that we can work with it with confidence and precision." A requisition for 100 of the .38 caliber safety hammer- less Smith & Wesson revolvers was made, and they were shipped from the factory in July, 1890. One of these revolvers was submitted to me, and I devoted some time to examining and testing it, making the following report : — • The revolver weighs twenty-one ounces ; it is similar in model to the regular .38-caliber safety hammerless pocket revolver, except there is an improvement in the barrel clutch which makes it impossible to discharge the arm if the barrel clutch is not fully down ; or if one partially closes the action, and the barrel clutch is not in its proper place, the cylinder fails to revolve and the arm cannot be discharged. This improvement adds another feature of safety to this revolver. The barrel is six inches long, exclusive of cylinder. In testing this revolver for accuracy, it was at ,once seen that it was far more difficult for a person accus- tomed only to the use of a target revolver wdth a light trigger pull, to shoot it as accurately as the other re- volvers of this firm's manufacture. It is beautifully made, in every particular equal to the other fine products of this firm ; but the self-cocking pistol is at first difficult to hold steadily Avhile applying pressure sufficient to discharge it. Shooting at the fifty-yard pistol target, it SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 69 was difficult at first to hold it still and apply the pres- sure required ; but the bullet would strike where the revolver was aimed at the moment of discharge. I men- tion this and emphasize it ; for probably many excellent pistol shots, unaccustomed to the use of a self -cocking revolver, will express disappointment at the first trial of this arm. The hammerless safety system is a radical departure from the single-action pistol ; and few persons, I imagine, who have been trained only to the light trigger pull of the target pistol will be able to shoot it at once with great accuracy. On the other hand, it has been found by actual experiment that, in the hands of those who only occasionally use a revolver, some of whom were cowboys of Colorado, a number would do more accurate work with one of these revolvers than with the target revolver, — due, no doubt, to the fact that the necessary pull rather steadied than disturbed the untrained nerves. If, however, one accustoms himself to shooting this arm, the trigger finger naturally becomes trained so as to apply sufficient pressure to nearly discharge it; then secure a good aim, apply a little more pressure to the trigger, and the arm is dis- charged. This, be it understood, applies chiefly to firing with a steady aim. Each time I shot this arm I experi- enced less difficulty and made better targets. I therefore feel warranted in expressing my belief that one with prac- tice can acquire sufficient proficiency to shoot at fifty yards, and place a majority of the shots in the regulation bulls- eye. The arm contains features which make nearly all the accidental discharges in other revolvers impossible in this ; it is a more rapid firing arm than any single-action re- volver ; it is very light and compact, and it is claimed by some cavalry officers is sufficiently powerful, and is capable of deadly and rapid work at the range indicated by Colonel Otis. 70 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. «>MaM><'>i«vMvi>««iMMMHii Fig. 53.— Mr. Walter "Winans, winner of most ui the English Revolver Competitions with American Revolvers. SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 71 When these revolvers were completed and before they left the factory, each arm was shot for accuracy. The shooting was done by Mr. Z. C. Talbot, the well known rifleman. He fired ten shots from each revolver, or 1,000 shots in all. The Standard American target, with a two- inch bullseye was used, and the shooting done off-hand at a distance of twelve yards, a new target being taken for each series or each revolver. Following are the totals of the 100 shots in ten shot scores : — • l8t Series. 2d Series. 3d Series. 4th Series. 82 83 93 76 82 83 90 76 81 83 93 75 81 83 93 75 81 82 87 75 81 82 87 74 80 82 83 91 80 82 . 85 84 80 82 85 87 80 82 81 877 80 808 824 793 Av'ge 80.8 82.4 87.7 79.3 5th Series. 6tlj Series. 7th Series 8th Series, 86 78 80 84 78 78 80 86 78 77 80 84 84 77 79 87 85 77 79 85 85 77 79 90 85 86 79 87 85 77 78 89 86 77 78 89 86 77 78 790 89 838 781 872 Av'ge. 83.8 78.1 79.0 87.2. 72 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. Fig. 54.— Six shots at twelve yards with .44-caliber Smith & Wesson Revolver, by Theo. E. Beck, New York. Fiff. 55. — Six shots with Smith & Wesson .44-caliber revolver, at twelve yards, by Alfred Brennon, New York. Fig. 5G. — Six shots with Smith & Wesson .44-caliber revolver, at twelve yards, by Theo. E. Beck, New York. Fig. 57. — Seven shots at twelve yards, with a .32-.44 Smith & Wesson Revolver, made by Walter Winans, at the Brighton Rifle Gallery, England, Nov. 16, 1888. SMITH & WESSON'S PRODUCTIONS. 73 9th Series. lOth Series. Summary, 88 88 2—824 88 88 1 808 88 88 7—790 87 88 3—877 87 84 5—838 87 84 8—872 87 84 4—793 87 84 6—781 86 84 10 855 86 83 9—871 871 855 100 ) 8309 ( 83.09 Av'ge. Av'ge. 87.1 85.5 Total JS'o. of points, 8309. Average per score, 83.09. Average value per shot, 8.30. As twenty yards was mentioned as the range at which Colonel Otis desired his firing to begin, some experiments in rapid firing were tried at that distance by experts in presence of the writer. It was not a difficult performance to place the five shots the revolver was charged with, in the eight-inch bullseye, firing with considerable rapidity and without lowering the aiming arm. The recoil being light, one could quickly recover the aim lost for a second by the discharge. This inability to take a quick, accurate shot with a heavily charged revolver is almost invariably experienced by those shooting such arms. Another interesting experiment was tried. Standing opposite a row of targets, at twenty yards, one shot only would be placed on each target without lowering the arm and firing rapidly. At that range, with a steady aim, hit- ting the bullseye would be a very ordinary performance ; and following the manner of shooting described, it showed the arm capable of being handled effectively at that range. 74 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS, a 2 *^ 2 o ei 3 m a _, «5 cS be P3 o 09X3 S > '^ O to MISCELLANEOUS REVOLVERS. 75 CHAPTER V. MISCELLANEOUS REVOLVERS. REVOLVERS CLASSIFIED. The Smith & Wesson and the Colt revolvers are generally recognized in America as the best types of revolvers for military work. The world at large, it is thought, wonld think likewise if familiar with the various products of different countries in this line. The superi- ority of these two makes of weapons warrants the space given in describing ihem. But there are other revolvers held in esteem by some. The Remington revolver is a strong, well-made arm, and shoots accurately. It fires six shots; is .44 caliber; has barrels 5>^ and 7^ inches in length ; and shoots the .44-40-200 cartridge. It is made by the Remington Arms Co., at I lion, N. Y. The Merwin, Hulbert & Co.'s Automatic revolver is manufactured at Norwich, Conn. The mechanism of this arm is entirely different from any other make of American revolvers. It is well constructed, the parts being made with great care and with a nicety of fitting which is highly creditable to the manufacturers. The material from which they are constructed is forged steel. The mode of operating the arm is as follows : — To Load. — Place the hammer at half cock, press the loading gate downward, and insert the^ cartridges. To Eject the Shells. — Take the revolver in the right hand, place the left hand on the barrel with the thumb on the button under the frame, push the button toward the guard, turn the barrel outward, and draw for- ward, when the shells will fall out. To TAKE THE Arm Apart. — When the barrel and cylinder are drawn forward, as above described, press the 76 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. barrel catch down and draw forward. No screwdriver is needed to take the arm apart or interchange the barrels. There are a number of different models manufactured with and without the folding hammer in .32, .38, and .44 Fig. 59. — Mr. George R. Kussell, Kevolver and Tistol Shot. BostoD, Mass. calibers, with barrels from three inches to 5^ inches in length, and five and seven chambers in the cylinders. The .38 and .44 calibers are also manufactured with the regular hammer. This firm also makes a solid frame revolver of cheap grade. In inspecting the revolvers of this make, there will be found a number which are not adapted to fine shooting, but would be classed as short-range weapons of defense. MISCELLANEOUS RE VOL VERS. 77 or pocket revolvers. Those with the Scinch barrels would never be selected by the person desirmg accuracy at any distance beyond a few yards ; but the .32 and .38 calibers, with a 5i-inch barrel, are considered by many as fine shooting weapons. It is evident that the action of the Mermn, Hulbert & Fig. 60. — Score of ninety-five out of a possible 100, on Standard American target, shot by Mr. George R. Russell, with a Stevens pistol, at twenty yards. (Full size.) Co. revolver possesses as much strength as most of the revolver actions on the market. It permits of being taken apart with ease and despatch, which enables the user to clean the barrel and cylinder in the most thorough manner. After cleaning, the arm can be quickly assembled ; more 78 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. SO, it is thought, than aii}^ other American revolver. It can be loaded very quickl}^ by pressing the button under the frame toward the guard, turning the barrel outward, and drawing forward, when the shells fall out ; fresh cartridges are then inserted. The rapidity of operation of this arm can hardly be credited until one witnesses the revolver manipulated by a person familiar with its operation. A ver}^ noticeable point about this weapon is the ability Fig. 61.— Mr. W. T. Whiteford. Amateur Pistol Shot. Barnard,'Mo. to combine a target revolver with a pocket revolver, as with a number of the models two barrels are supplied : one 5|-inch, and the other three or 3^ inch barrel. The .32 and .38 caliber revolvers with 5^inch barrels and folding hammer are nicely balanced arms, and when properly sighted are capable of doing fine work ; but, un- fortunately, they are double-action, and while this feature MISCELLANEOUS RE VOL VERS. 79 may be a desirable point in revolvers for defense, for target practice or fine shooting it is a detriment rather than an advantage. But this firm also makes a single- action with a regular hammer in .38 caliber, in which the trigger pull can be brought to a state of smoothness and fineness, which, if the arm is handled by a good shot, will show excellent work. The^Army revolver is made in single and double-action, Fig, 62.- Fifty consecutive shots, at fifty yards, by Mr. F. E. Bennett. Stevens pistol, .22 caliber long-rifle cartridge. X original size. with and without the folding hammer. Most of the army models are chambered to take the Winchester rifle car- tridge, .44 caliber, holding forty grains of powder and 200 grains of lead. The Merwin, Hulbert & Co.'s revolver has been thor- oughly tested by the Government Ordnance Board, which 80 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. reports as follows on its tests of a six-shot, .42 caliber, seven-inch barrel revolver, weight two pounds 11|- ounces, using a charge of twenty-three grains of powder and a 252-grain bullet. On the whole, the board regarded it as a very good pistol, it having endured the tests in a fairly satisfactory manner. Revolvers are classed at the present time as follows : — Military revolvers, being fitted with a plain, open sight, strong enough to stand the rough usage to which the arm would naturally be subjected ;. of suitable power to kill readily and shooting fixed ammunition which can be carried in the belt or proper receptacle. The second is the target revolver, which may be of the same pattern as the military revolver, but fitted with fine sights, which are generally too delicate for rough militaiy work ; a lateral wind gauge on the rear sight and an arrangement for securing elevations is also permitted on such revolvers. The ammunition for these weapons is according to the choice of the marksman, frequently being loaded with only a light charge, thus doing away with the unpleasant recoil, and lessening the liability of excessive fouling when firing. The third is the pocket revolver, which clubs indulging in shooting with this weapon, class as revolvers of not less than .32 caliber, with barrels of four inches and under. TESTS OF MILITARY REVOLVERS. 81 CHAPTER VI. TEST OF MILITARY HE VOL VERS BY THE UNITED STATES ORDNANCE BOARD. In a previous chapter I referred to the action of the United States Government in adopting a .38 caliber re- volver for the Army and Navy. Prior to adopting the Colt revolver, a test was made of a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber of the hammerless pattern, and a Colt double- action revolver of the same caliber, at the United States Armory, at Springfield, Mass. The board made the following official report : — The board appointed to conduct these tests met the first time on April 15. By the report it will be seen that the nomenclature of component parts of the Smith & Wesson revolver are as follows: — 1. Barrel. 19. Joint pivot and screw. 2. Cylinder. ^ 20. Hammer stud. 3. Frame. 21. Firing pin bushing. 4. Stop. 22. Firing pin. 5. Barrel catch. 23. Extractor stud. 6. Safety lever. 24. Eight-hand stock. 7. Guard. 25. Left-hand stock. 8. Side plate. 26. Extractor cam and latch 9. Base pin. 27. Sight. 10. Barrel catch lifter. 28. Split spring. 11. Cylinder hook. 29. Hand spring. 12. Extractor post. 30. Barrel catch spring. 13. Extractor. 31. Firing pin spring. 14. Trigger. 32. Cylinder hook spring. 15. Hammer. 33. Cylinder stop spring. 16. Stock screw. 34. Latch spring. 17. Strain screw. 35. Hand. 18. Short plate screw. 36. Stirrup. 82 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 37. Front sear. 38. Extractor spring. 39. Main spring. 40. Nut. 41. Trigger spring. 42. Barrel catch lifter spring. 43. Safety latch. Also the following pins : — 44. Cylinder stop spring pin. 49. Firing pin bushing pin 45. Latch spring pin. 50. Barrel catch lifter pin. 46. Safety lever pin. 51. Stop pin. 47. Cylinder hook pin. 52. Latch pin. 48. Barrel catch pin. 53. Trigger pin. The dimensions of the arm are: — Total length, 9.23 inches. Length of barrel, 5 inches. Diameter of bore, .35 inch. Number of grooves, 5. Kind of grooves, circle of about .36 inch. Depth of grooves, .005 inch. Grooves, depth, uniform or not ? Uniform. Grooves, twist of, one turn in 18.56 mches. Grooves, twist, right-handed. Grooves, twist, uniform. Number of chambers, 5. Diameter of chambers, .388 inch. Length of cylinder, 1.215 inches. Diameter of cylinder, 1.30 inches. Total weight, 1 pound, 1690 grains; 1.24142 pounds. Weight of powder charge, 15 grains. Weight of bullet, 146 grains. The nomenclature and dimensions of the Colt revolver are as follows : — 1. Frame cap. 9. Ejector spring. 2. Cap screws (2). 10. Crane. 3. Frame. 11. Crane nut. 4. Kecoil bouching. 12. Crane lock. 5. Cylinder. 13. Crane lock screw, 6. Ejector and ratchet. 14. Barrel and sight. 7. Ejector rod. 15. Latch. 8. Ejector rod head. 16. Latch spring. TESTS OF MILITARY REVOLVERS. 83 17. Latch pin. 29. 18. Half stocks (2). 30. 19. Escutcheons (2). 31. 20. Stock screws (2). 32. 21. Stock pin. 33. 22. Hand. 34. 23. Hand spring. 35. 24. Trio^^er. 36. 25. Trigger pin. 37. 26. Trigger rebound pin. 38. 27. Rebound spring. 39. 28. Rebound lever. Rebound spring pin. Rebound lever pin. Hammer. Hammer strut. Hammer strut spring. Hammer strut spring pin. Hammer pin. Hammer stirrup. Hammer stirrup pin. Main spring. Strain screw. Total length, 11.30 inches. Length of barrel, 5.96 inches. Diameter of bore, .362 inch. Grooves, number of, 6. Grooves, kind of, circle of about .58 inch. Grooves, depth of, .005 inch. Grooves, depth, uniform or not ? Uniform. Grooves, twist, right-handed or left-handed ? Left-handed. Grooves, twist, uniform, increasing or decreasing? Uniform, one turn in 16.02 inches. Chambers, number of , 6. Cylinder, diameter of, 1.45 inches. Total weight, 2 pounds, 112 grains. Weight of powder charge, 18 grains. Weight of bullet, 150 grains. The report of the regular tests, as given by the Report of the Chief of Ordnance, is as follows: — I Dismounting and Assemhling . (1) Find the time required by an ordinary machinist to dismount each revolver. (2) Find the time required for the same machinist to completely assemble the parts of each revolver. Every part must be dismounted and assembled, no matter how small. The dismounting and assembling was performed by Mr. R. T. Hare. 84 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. It was found uecessaiT to send to the manufacturers for special drifts and other appliances for dismounting the Smith & Wesson revolver ; and only after repeated attempts, and instruction by an expert furnished by Smith t!c "Wesson, was Mr. Hare able to Fig. 63. — Mr. John L. Fowle, "Woburn, Mass. Amateur Revolver and Pistol Shot. mount and dismount the revolver with any degree of facility. The large number of parts, the nicety of fit, and the knack re- quired in portions of the assembling, would make it impossible, the board thinks, for an ordinar}' mechanic to perform this test without injuring the revolver. TESTS OF MILITARY REVOLVERS. 85 The Colt revolver was dismounted and assembled by Mr. Hare without much difficulty. The time taken was as follows: — To Dismount. To Mount. Smith & Wesson. Minutes. Smith & Wesson. Minutes. By expert .... 6 By expert .... 6f By Mr. Hare ... 14^ By Mr. Hare ... 39f Colt, by Mr. Hare . . 5 Colt, by Mr. Hare . . 7f II. — Initial Velocities. (1) Take the mean of the initial velocities determined by firing ten rounds, Le Boulenge chronograph used. (2) Break up ten cartridges and weigh the charges of powder and of lead in each, separately. Take the means of the weights of the powder and of the lead for the charge, which gives the mean initial velocity. Do this for each kind of cartridge used. Smith & Wesson revolver, mean of charges of powder and lead obtained by breaking up ten cartridges: weight of powder, 14.125 grains; weight of bullet, 146.30 grains; length of barrel, 5."0. Colt revolver, mean of charges of powder and lead obtained by breaking up ten cartridges: weight of powder, 17.85 grains; weight of bullet, 150 grains; length of barrel, 5".9G. Velocities at 25 feet from muzzle Smith & Wesson revol- ver: 607.2, 624.6, 637.4,645.1,664.8,618.1,661.6,645.9, 607.5, 613.5, mean 635.5 feet; mean variation, 18.29 feet. Colt revolver: 699, 729, 709, 738, 718, 733, 700, 743, 728, 730; mean 722.7 feet; mean variation, 12.96 feet. III. — Penetration and Becoil. Find the penetration and recoil by means of the pendulum recoil frames. As no suitable pendulum recoil frames were available, the board decided to omit this test. The theoretical recoil for the 2 V w revolvers computed by means of the formula ^= (page 112, 2gW Eeport Chief of Ordnance, 1878) is as follows: Smith & Wesson, 2.1889 foot pounds; Colt, 1.8516 foot pounds. The theoretical recoil for the Colt service .45 caliber is 3.89 foot pounds. 86 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. ly. — Tests for Accuracy. (1) Fire ten rounds from a fixed rest at a target distant twenty-five yards. (2) Eire ten rounds from a fixed rest at a target distant 100 yards. (3) Find the mean absolute deviation in each case. The revolvers were operated by Mr. R. T. Hare. Range, Twenty-five Yards. Revolver. Smith & Wesson Colt Smith & Wesson Colt ^_ . 4^ c3 a t— 1 rt x^ cu g c3 Ran tica atio .2 ^-^ 03 ^t; o ■d ;H.r: CS P ri C3 © !K o o Inches, Inches. Inches. Inches. .78 .68 1.18 .86 1.37 .78 1.68 1.28 ^ 0) 95 C« i M Inches. 2.44 2.52 Range, 100 Yards. 2.56 4.88 3.60 4.91 10.11 3.84 7.76 7.50 23.90 In these tests, two bullets from the Colt revolver keyholed badly. Y. — Penetration in Fine Butts. Fire five rounds into pine butts distant 100 yards, and take a mean of the five penetrations. Mean of Five Penetrations. Smith & Wesson revolver, 3^ inches; Colt revolver, 3f inches. VI. — Bapidity of Loading^ Firing, and Ejecting. (Revolvers operated by Mr. R. T. Hare.) Find the time required to fire eighteen rounds, commenciug and ending with the chambers emjDty. Smith & Wesson revolver, minutes 52^ seconds. Colt revolver, one minute thirteen seconds. Twenty rounds were fired from the Smith & Wesson revolver in fifty-four seconds. TIJSTS OF MILITARY REVOLVERS. 87 VII Endurance. Fire 250 rouads, allowing the revolver five minutes to cool after every fifty rounds. (Kevolvers operated by Mr. R. T. Hare.) Colt Revolver Early in the test the rebound spring proved too weak always to turn the trigger forward after the discharge Fig. 64, — Lieut. Sumner Paine, Boston. Amateur Pistol and Revolver Shot. of the revolver. In a large number of cases the trigger had to be pushed forward by the fingers. Otherwise revolver worked well. Smith & Wesson Revolver On the 104th round, the hand would not revolve the cylinder, the mechanism being clogged with fouling. The cylinder was slipped off and wiped and re- 88 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. placed, wheu the revolver worked perfeeth'. The same difficulty occurred on the 140th rouud. The cylinder was removed as be- fore, and the clogged parts more carefully wiped than in the preceding instance, when the revolver worked well during the remainder of the test. VIII. — Fouling. Let the revolver remain forty-eight hours without cleaning; after which fire lift}' rounds, allowing it five minutes to cool after the twelfth, twenty-fourth, and thirty-sixth rounds. Smith ^S: Wesson Eeat^lvek Cylinder clogged as in preced- ing test, and would not revolve. It was slipped off as before and wiped off, as was the rear of barrel. I>uriug the remainder of the test the revolver worked well. Colt Kevolvee. — The rebound spring would not turn the trig- ger forward during the opening rounds of each series. One failure of the cylinder to revolve occurred. The revolver was opened and shut again by the operator, when the cylinder revolved freely. IX.— Dust. (1) The revolver to be carefully cleaned and then shaken in fine dust, after which it is brushed oft' with the hand and fired twelve rounds. (2) Dust again in the same manner, in order to ascertain the combined effects of dusting and fouling; then fire six rounds. Smith i!v: AVesson revolver. — (1) In two instances it was neces- sary to give an extra pull to the trigger to make the cylinder revolve. (2) The revolver worked well. Colt revolver (1) At the sixth round the revolver refused to work as a double-action revolver, and it was necessary to cock the hammer by hand. (2) Revolver still disabled as a double-action revolver, but could be worked by cocking hammer with hand. In several instances the cylinder would not revolve without considerable assistance. X.—J^ust. (1) After cleaning, remove all oil and immerse in a solution of sal-ammoniac for ten minutes, and expose for forty-eight hours. TESTS FOR MILITARY REVOLVERS. 89 (2) Fire twelve rounds. (3) Without cleaning, load the revolver and immerse for ten minutes as before, and again expose for forty-eight hours. (4) Tire eighteen rounds. (5) Dismount, examine, and clean. Both revolvers were boiled in a solution of potash to remove oil, and left over night to diy. They were then rusted as above. Fig. 65.— Mr. Benjamin Diniock, Haverhill, Mass. Amatcui i'istol Shot. Smith & Wesson revolver On taking the revolver out of the solution, the mainspring was found to be broken. The revolver was well rusted. Considerable rapping with a mallet was neces- sary to make the barrel catch and cylinder hook operate, and the 90 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. safety lever would noc perform its functions until after some amount of manipulation. The mainspring was replaced by another one, and twelve rounds were fired from the revolver without difiiculty. Colt revolver. — The revolver was found to be well rusted, but the mechanism operated freely, and the twelve shots were fired without the use of the mallet being necessary. The cylinder had to be assisted to revolve once, and the rebound spring failed to push the trigger forward three times. The revolvers were not loaded before the next immersion, on account of the danger involved, and instead of plugging the chambers with corks as before, empty cartridge shells were in- serted. Both revolvers were thoroughly rusted when taken out of the solution. Smith & "Wesson revolver The barrel catch was tightly cemented, and opened only after long-continued efforts. The hammer would not operate, and on taking off the side plate and a half stock, the mainspring (a new one, replacing the one broken in the first part of the test) was found to be broken. It was replaced by a new one. The firing-pin spring and pin were tightly rusted, so that the spring would not operate to return the pin. The hand would not revolve the cylinder, and on further inspection it was found that the trigger spring was broken. More than an hour and a half was consumed in trying to operate this revolver. As much of the rust as possible was rubbed off with rags, and water was used upon it freely, but all efforts proving fruitless, the revolver was laid aside as disabled. Colt revolver. — The cylinder could not be swung outwards without aid from the blows of a mallet. Cartridges could not be inserted until the chambers were cleaned from rust. Eighteen rounds were fired without much difficulty, using the revolver as a double-action revolver. The rebound spring failed to push the trigger forward in every case, and had to be assisted by the operator's hand. In two cases (ninth and tenth rounds) the hand would not revolve the cylinder without assistance. Both revolvers were then dismounted, examined, thoroughly cleaned, and assembled. TESTS FOR MILITARY REVOLVERS. 91 REMARKS. Smith & Wesson Bevolver. Captain Hall, in his letter, twice speaks of this revolver as having a six-inch barrel. The manufacturers state that a five- )C Fig. 66. — Major Charles W. Hinman. Revolver and Pistol Expert. 00 model. The multiplicity of parts and their nicety of fit make it almost impossible for any one, not a skilled and instructed >^ inch barrel is the longest that has ever been supplied with this *** mechanic, to dismount and assemble the arm and replace broken parts, without marring or impairing the arm. 92 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. On the other hand, the locating the hammer and lock mechanism entirely within the frame, renders the arm less liable to accidental injuries, and prevents the parts from clogging from dust and rust. The cylinder is easily removed and replaced, and the parts where fouling accumulates are easily accessible. The revolver stood all the tests very well, up to the last rust test; and with the most ordinarj' care a revolver could be prevented from becoming rusted to such an extent. In this test, however, the arm was totally disabled. Two mainsprings were broken in this test, which would seem to imply that their temper was too high. Great stress has always been laid upon certain defects in the Smith & Wesson system which would develop especially in a military arm. A revolver board, convened in 1876, speaks of the system thus: " The efficienc}^ of any revolver of this model must depend in great measure upon the accuracy with which its joints are made and broken. Certain distances must not only be made exact, but must remain invariable, and it is believed impossible to preserve the latter condition with the rough usage of the ser- vice." The Smith & Wesson revolver tested by this board failed in the rust test, and the report goes on to sa}^: " The severe rust- ing test, given by the board, resulted in showing how readily this model may become unserviceable, and this test is not regarded as a more severe trial of the arm than would frequently be experi- enced in the service." Captain Hall makes the following special claims for the arm: — (1) A revolver cocked with the forefinger has a great advan- tage over one cocked with the thumb. In cocking a revolver with the thumb, its position in the hand is rendered very insecure at the instant the thumb is changed from the hammer to the stock, and this insecurity is so increased in cold weather as to render a premature discharge probable, and greatly diminish the rapidity and accuracy of fire. The board thinks that these points seem to be well taken, and certainly Captain Hall's reputation as an expert pistol shot should give his opinion great weight. This claim will apply equally well to the Colt, as it is a double-action revolver. (2) The Smith & Wesson revolver under discussion has an advantage over all other revolvers cocked with the forefinger, in the fact that there is an indication in the pull which informs the shooter when the cartridge is to be struck. This new and novel TESTS FOR MILITARY REVOLVERS. 93 device renders this revolver equal, if not superior, to all others, even as a target pistol. Tlie board concurs with Captain Hall in thinking that this indication in the pull is a decided advantage. ^i^mm rig.:67. — Sergt. J. J. Mouutjoy, Pliiladelpliia, Penii. Amateur Pistol Shot. (3) The revolver has also a safety device in the stock which prevents it from being fired unless the handle is grasped. The board recognizes the advantage of the safety device, but thinks that by its use accidents will only be partially avoided. A great number of premature discharges take place when the handle of the revolver is grasped by the soldier. The workmanship of the revolver leaves nothing to be desired, and the accuracy of shooting is most satisfactory. Whether it will stand the rough usage of the service, is another question, and 94 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. in this connection Captain Hall states he has had two of these arms for more than a year, " fired 2,000 or 3,000 rounds from them, and snapi3ed them over 5,000 times, without either getting out of repair a single time, and has carried them on his saddle in the field for two months of the time." The cartridges used worked well in every respect, and have the great advantage of having the lubricant covered by the cartridge shell instead of being placed on the exposed portion of the bullet. Colt Revolver. This revolver has the great advantage of possessing a solid frame, and this is combined with the feature of simultaneous ejection of cartridges, though the ejection is not automatic, as in the Smith & Wesson. The principal defect developed in this arm was the weakness of the rebound spring, which in many cases would not turn the trigger forward after the discharge of the re- volver. The substitution of a stronger spring or the addition of a strain screw would remedy this defect. Several failures of the hand to revolve the cylinder were noted, and on dismounting the revolver a large amount of dirt and fouling was found in one case between the hand and hand spring. This revolver does not possess the safety device of the Smith & Wesson, and is thereby more liable to accidental discharges when the handle is not grasped in the hand. It lacks the hammerless feature of the Smith & Wesson, but in spite of the hammer not being located entirely within the frame, it showed a decided superiority in the rust test. Moreover, having a hammer, it can be used as a single-action revolver when its double-acting mech- anism is disabled, as shown in the " dust test," and the board thinks this a decided advantage. There are no very delicate parts, and suitable provisions are made against accidents. The cylinder cannot be swung outwards unless the hammer is at safety, and the trigger and hammer are locked unless the cylinder is in the proper position for firing. The hand holds the cylinder after it has reached its position for filing until the arm is dis- charged, thus acting as a stop bolt and preventing carr3-iug b}'. In accuracy the revolver showed itself infeiior to the Smith & Wesson, and two of the bullets fired keyholed, one at twenty-five yards' distance. The ammunition used, the board considers to be greatly inferior TES TS FOR MILITAR Y RE VOL VERS. 9 5 to that used in the Smith & Wesson revolver. The outside lubri- cation used on the bullets was productive of much fouling, and there was great difficulty at times in forcing the cartridges into the chambers. The board very much prefers a cartridge where the lubricant is covered by the case. CONCLUSIOIS^'S. The board would state that the Smith & Wesson revolver has passed all the tests satisfactorily except the rust test, in which it was totally disabled. The Colt revolver has passed all the tests satisfactorily except the dust test, in which it was disabled as a double-action revolver, but could be worked satisfactorily by cocking the hammer as in a single-action revolver. Whether these arms have the necessary stopping power, the board has no means of determining. The board is of the opinion that the issue of a limited number of each of these arms would be advan- tageous, as affording a comparison between the double-acting system and the single-action system in use in the service. Each of the revolvers possesses advantages peculiar to itself, and a competitive test in service would be necessary to determine definitely which is the superior. l^ATiONAL Armory, Spri:n^gfield, Mass., June 22, 1889. The board met at the call of the president at 10 A. M. Present, both the members. The double-action .38 caliber, navy revolver, previously tested and reported upon by the board, was resubmitted by the Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, with a request that it be tested for accuracy with the new .38 caliber long Colt's central-fire cartridges, manufactured by the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, Bridgeport, Conn., the lubricant being placed in cannelures covered by the cartridge shell; 150 of these cartiidges were furnished with the revolver. A stronger rebound spring had been substituted for the one previously used in the revolver, as recommended by the board; this was the only alteration made. The revolver was subjected to the usual test for accuracy, as follows: — Accuracy. (1) Eire ten rounds from a fixed rest at a target distant twenty- five yards. 96 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. (2) Fire ten rounds from a fixed rest at a target distant 100 yards. (3) Find the mean absolute deviation in each case. The revolvers were operated by Mr. K. T. Hare, and two targets of ten shots each were taken at each range. The targets compared as follows with those made in the previous test, when cartridges with outside lubrication were used. Range, 25 Yards. [18 grains powder, 150-grain bullet in both tests.] 4^ c« fl _ fl CM ri • ^ ^ ' CO o . 5 ^, «2 CO *-^ CC .2 o o CO 01 CO 0^ S c« O) +J cs '^'S o '« ^H^ '^ ii^ M hori. devi CS OJ t» Inches. Inches. Inches. Inches. Inches. May 2. Cartridges with outside lubrication 1.37 .78 1.68 1.28 2.52 June 22. Cartridges with inside lubri- cation 1st target .... .80 .948 1.41 1.40 2.96 2d target .... .95 .98 1.46 1.13 3.04 Range, 100 Yards. May 2.Cartridges with outside lubrication 4.88 8 10.11 7.76 23.90 June 22. Cartridges with inside lubri- cation 3.68 2.14 4.46 3.58 8.50 1st target .... 2.80 3.29 4.71 3.44 7.60 2d target .... During the test the revolver worked well in every particular, and no keyholing of bullets was observed. The substitution of a stronger rebound spring did not seem to appreciably increase the trigger pull. By an inspection of the targets made, it appears that the accuracy at twenty-five j^ards is about the same as in the previous test. The accuracy at 100 yards, however, shows a de- cided improvement, and this though the conditions of firing were rather unfavorable, a fresh breeze blowing during the practice. TARGET REVOLVERS. ^7 CHAPTER VII. TARGET REVOLVERS. There is no difference between the military and the target revolver, excepting the sights and the trigger pull. The target revolver generally shoots the same ammunition ; but by the fine sights at the muzzle end, a wind gauge at the breech, and a smooth, light trigger pull, the marksman is greatly aided in doing fine shooting. Nearly all revolvers and pistols have sights affixed to the barrels, which are very properly supposed by purchasers to aid them in hitting the object at which they shoot. In many cases the sights on pistols and revolvers are very little, if any, aid to the shooter. Persons unfamiliar with these firearms, when they test a new pistol or revolver, generally commence by aiming at the object desired to hit ; and if their holding is good, they are likely to find the shots grouped quite a distance above the object aimed at. The heavier the charge and lighter the arm, the greater the flip or kick-up. The shooter, when he observes this result, generally corrects the fault by holding under the object, and some wonderfully good shooting has been done by aiming eighteen or twenty inches under the target or bullseye. Good shooting under the above conditions however, is generally at known distance with some guide below the bullseye to enable the marksmen to gauge the amount of allowance regularly. When Chevalier Ira Paine gave his first exhibition of revolver shooting at fifty yards, at the range of the Massa- chusetts Rifle Association, he fired a few sighting shots before commencing his 100 shots, and found that his elegant .44 caliber Russian model Smith & Wesson re- 98 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. Fig. 68. — Ten shots at 1214 yards with .22 caliber Gould model Stevensipistol, by Mr. "W. E. Carlin, New,,York. Fig. 69. — Six shots at twelve yards with .44 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, round bullet, by Mr. W. E. Carlin, New York. Fig. 70.— Two scores of six shots each, at twelve yards, with .44 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, by Mr. W. E. Carlin, New York. TARGET REVOLVERS. 99 volver, which was perfectly sighted for about twelve yards, when using the light loads and round ball, with the heavy, b JDR». 5c^i»e«t .•-~-*i^U ^ Fig. 71. — Mr. E. E. Patridge. Winner of Boston Athletic Revolver and Pistol Championsliip, 1892. or full charge, shot eighteen inches over the buUseye. He asked permission to place a spot some distance below the bullseye, which was given ; but as he had only a 100 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. few sighting shots to judge the difference in the elevation between the two cartridges, he did not score what he proved he was capable of doing at a second exhibition. In his second trial he used the same revolver but with a different sight, which enabled him to aim directly at the buUseye. I have witnessed considerable revolver shooting, and not a little in a section of this country where the arm was carried for protection. After many practice shoots I have heard shooters remark, " Any one of these shots would have hit a man "; thus the writer formed the im- pression that many persons who carry revolvers are content with an arm which, when fired, would hit the size of a man. On the supposition that this is the case, it is not strange that so httle has been done until recently to improve the accuracy of the revolver by correctly sighting it. The sights which are attached to some revolvers shoot over from six to thirty inches when fired from twenty to sixty yards. If the charge is much reduced the sights ■ which come on the revolver can be used in aiming directly at the object desired to hit ; but with a full, heavy charge the over-shooting mentioned is experienced. The accompanying illustrations show, approximately, the difference required in shooting a Smith & Wesson Russian model .44 caliber ^==1 revolver with a light and a ^ < ^'^——-^ , heavy charge. f^^^ ^^ ■ T zz.r::^^^! ^ig. 72 shows thc targct sight which is attached to this revolver when purchased. If a sight of this height is used ^. ^^ with the full charge at fifty Fig. 72. ^ yards, and a sight taken on the bullseye at six o'clock, if held properly, the TARGET REVOLVERS. 101 bullet will strike about eighteen inches over the bullseye. The same result will be experienced with the plain, open sight which comes on this favorite arm, as well as with most of the other revolvers of American make of large cali- ber. If, however, the shooter desires to use a light charge of ten to fifteen grains of powder, he will find this sight approximately correct in regard to height. As many of the finest shots prefer to use the full charge, desiring to practice with a practical charge, such as they would use in warfare or defense, and knowing that, if properly held, it will give fine results, they procure another sight, similar in shape, but higher, as shown in Fig. 73. This additional height depresses the muzzle of the barrel, and counteracts »■ j the flip or kick-up, and the J^^^^^^ shooter can sight directly at ^ f the bullseye at a distance of ' I fifty yards. ( The front sight most fa- >^^^^^^^;^^;^^^^^^^^^^=;^^^:^^^=^=^^^;^:^:^:;;: vored by expert shots at the | present time for target shoot- Fig. 73. ing, is shown in Figs. 72 and 73, and the rear sight as shown in Fig. 74. The^latter has a semicircular notch to draw the top of the front sight into. This style of sight was adopted by Messrs. Smith & Wesson, it giving the effect of a pin- head sight. Some good shots prefer a fine, plain front sight, with a square top, and some use a straight bar with- out a notch, but a platinum line in the center for a rear sight. There is an ivory bead front sight adapted to revolvers made by Mr. William Lyman, of Middlefield, Conn., which is highly commended by those who have used it, Fig. 74. 102 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. this sight being especially recommended for hunting pistols. It is shown in accompanying illustration. Fig. 75. —Lyman Ivory Tipped Front Sight for pistols or revolvers. An improvement in the rear sight is made by dovetail- ing a lateral sliding bar across the barrel clutch of the Smith & Wesson revolvers, which makes an effective wind gauge. Those desiring to test the accuracy of re- volvers at a rest can do so very effectually by attaching to the rear sight a piece of thin metal, to convert the semicircle notch into a round aperture, which with a tem- porary aperture front sight, or the pin head sight, enables the tester to obtain a clear sight, which is quite difficult when shooting in this manner at rest with open front and rear sights, which are so near together. The sights I have here described are only fit for fine target shooting ; they would not be suitable for a military or even a pocket revolver. For such arms, plain, solid sights are recommended, such as are not likely to interfere in drawing pistol or revolver from a holster or a pocket. There are several ways of taking sight with a pistol or a revolver. It is believed that a majority of the best shots draw a very fine bead on the front-sight, and touch the object aimed at, at the lower part of the bullseye at six o'clock. Other good shots prefer to place the sight on the object, or on the bullseye, while still others place the sight over the object or the bullseye, and see the TARGET REVOLVERS. 103 tip at twelve o'clock. It is believed that those who sight at the lower or bottom of the object aimed at, Fig. 76. — Dr. Louis Bell. Amateur Revolver and Pistol Shot. First winner of Winans' trophy with revolver. New York, 1892. possess more advantages ; but the shooter should try the several ways, and, as soon as satisfied of his preference, adhere firmly to one manner of sighting, if permissible. It will be found that different makes and lots of ammu- 104 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. Fig. 77, — Ten shots at fifty yards by Mr. H. S. Harris. Shot at Walnut Hill, Mass, Dec. 31, 1890, with a Stevens Pistol, Diamond model with a ten-inch .22 caliber barrel. Ammunition, U. M. C. Co.'s long-rifle. Fig. 78. — Ten shots at fifty yards by Mr. H. S. Harris. Shot at Walnut Hill, Mass., Jan. 6, 1894, with a Stevens Diamond Model Pistol with a ten-inch barrel and U. M. C. Co. .22 caliber, long-rifle cartridges. Two of the best known ten shot scores at fifty yards with pistol on Standard American target. Targets reduced to one quarter original size. TARGET REVOLVERS. 105 nition vary considerably, affecting elevations; different weather conditions also affect elevations. This will be Fig. 79. —Position adopted in Pistol Firing by Mr. Henry S. Harris, Pistol Champion of Massachusetts, 1893. perceived with a few shots, and the error corrected by tak- ing a finer or coarser sight. 106 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. There is also made by Messrs. Smith & Wesson a rear elevating and wind gauge sight for pistols and revolvers, which is a great improvement over any heretofore placed on the market. It seems to be a difficult thing to perfect a revolver sight, as several firms who have been endeavoring to accomplish it for some time past know. With heavy charges it is desirable to depress the barrel or lower the elevation, rather than raise ; while with light charges, as you increase your distance, you are obliged to raise your rear sight. A very high front sight, which is necessary for the large charges, is considered un- symmetrical by manufacturers ; and until some ingenious person devises a means of raising and lowering the front sight of a revolver, the person who desires to shoot several kinds of ammunition accurately in one revolver, and at various distances, must carry about with him several front sights of various heights which will interchange. POCKET REVOLVERS, 107 CHAPTER VIII. POCKET REVOLVERS. A POCKET revolver, as the name implies, is a revolver possessing sufficient compactness to be carried with con- venience in the pockets of one's clothing. There are but few concerns in America manufacturing large revolvers, but many produce what is classed as a pocket revolver. For many years an impression prevailed that all revolvers were inaccurate, pocket revolvers especially so. Several years ago I undertook to prove that American marks- men could shoot revolvers about as accurately as they could some of the most famous dueling pistols of home or foreign manufacture. I think I hazard little in claiming all I undertook to do was accomplished. At the beginning of my work there were two revolvers — the Smith and Wesson and the Colt, — which were as perfect in construction as it seemed possible to make by the highest mechanical skill, and which, in the opinion of firearm experts, possess special points of merit for special work. These two makes of revolvers, in large calibers, .44 and .45, in my opinion, are the highest types of this class of firearms in the world. At the time I commenced my investigations, ammunition for these revolvers was much inferior to what it is at the present time. The old outside lubricated cartridges have given place largely to those of inside lubrication, and thus the even distribution of lubricant has increased the accuracy of the revolvers using them. With the improvement in cartridges, the skill of marks- 108 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. men developed, until, at the present time, there are, in America, amateur revolver shots from Maine to California, Fig. 80. — Fiftv consecutive shots at twelve yards, by'an ordinary marksman, | ■oith a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber Pocket Revolver, 3^4 inch barrel, V. M. C. Co., ammunition. who possess skill of the highest order with revolvers of .44 and .45 caliber. It has been shown that both revolver and ammunition of large caliber are accurate. But is the pocket revolver accurate and reliable ? Many who are forced by the fine POCKET REVOLVERS. 109 shooting of the large revolvers to admit their accuracy, still insist that the small revolvers, — pocket revolvers, — are inaccurate, and it is impossible to do fine work with them. I long ago gave a veiy thorough test to pocket revolvers, but hesitated to chronicle my results, as I hoped for an opportunity to compare others' work with my own before so doing. While gathering material for this volume I had the co-operation of a number of gentlemen interested in pistol shooting, which has enabled me to compare their views with my own, and a somewhat extended test of various pocket revolvers has furnished what seems to be instructive data for those interested in these arms. My first object was to learn definitely what should con- stitute a pocket revolver. It was found that if those arms which could be carried in the pocket were reorganized as such, there would be certain arms called pocket revolvers which would give special advantages to those who com- peted with such arms in contests of skill. It is known to those familiar with revolver shooting that it is easier to shoot accurately a heavy revolver with a light charge and a long barrel, than with a heavy charge in a light arm and a short barrel. The first arm is the more accurate, and easier to do fine work with. It should here be stated that a pocket revolver should be kept in the list of practical weapons. It is chiefly a weapon of defense, and proficiency with it is desirable to give greater protection to the individuals possessing it. I would like to emphasize the word practical ; for as I look back and see how the uses of large caliber revolvers have been misapplied, I feel that revolver shooting to-day is, to a great extent, misrepresentation. There are many exceedingly fine shots posing before the world as expert revolver shots, who have gained their reputations wholly 110 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. by shooting tiny charges of powder and a light bullet from an arm originally made for a practical charge. Such shooting, I have often stated, in my opinion, should always be classed as pistol shooting, and revolver shooting recog- nized only when shot with ammunition for which the revolver is made and within a specified time. I believe, if pocket-revolver shooting is to become popular, if there are to be contests of skill with that arm, there should be clear and explicit understanding of what constitutes such an arm. I can perceive, at this time, that this is no easy task ; and if this question is now settled it will not be likely to be adhered to, for with many the practicability of such an arm would not be considered if an advantage could be secured in a departure enabling a target shooter to make a higher score. The most important points to determine are the maxi- mum length of barrel, the weight of the arm, the minimum bore allowed, and the ammunition permitted. The question of the length of barrel is an important one. It is generally known that every quarter inch of a revolver barrel, up to the length it is possible to use, is advantageous. It is therefore a question of how long can a barrel be, and the arm carried in the pocket. At a meeting of most of those who shoot pistols and revolvers in Boston and vicinity, it was unanimously the opinion that no longer barrel than four inches should be permitted ; a majority favored that length of barrel as a maximum, and I recommend such. A barrel 3J inches in length is preferred by some, as being easier to carry in the pocket. Below 3|- inches the loss in accuracy and the unreliability is quickly apparent. The bore of a pocket revolver is about as important as the length of barrel. Here is where the practicability of the pocket revolver is made conspicuous. It does not POCKET KEVOLVERS. Ill matter how large a bore is permitted, for the length of barrel and limit of weight will, to a great extent, govern that question ; but it is important to establish a minimum Fig. 81. — Fifty consecutive shots at twelve yards, by Mr. W. W. Bennett, vrith a Smith & Wesson Pocket Revolver, .38 caliber, 31/4 inch barrel, U. M. C. Co. ammunition. of bore. Some marksmen, with an inclination to jockey- ing, might select a .22 caliber revolver in the heaviest frame permitted, with the maximum length of barrel, and perhaps thus gain an impractical but advantageous arm 112 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. for target practice, but a very poor weapon for defense. There are a number of pistol shooters who advocate making the minimum caliber .38, but I think a majority prefer .32 caliber. My own opinion, on the question of calibers, is that .38 is the more practical caliber, but .32 is an arm easier to shoot, and the average person can make finer scores with the latter. The weight of an arm must be considered; chiefly to guard against that intolerable nuisance, the shooting jockey. He might resort to the questionable practice of cutting off the barrel of a .3 2- .44 Smith & Wesson Russian model revolver, or even the full .44 Russian model, and use the light gallery loads, and thus have an accurate target revolver, but a very unwieldy pocket revolver. The heaviest revolver which would properly be classed as a pocket revolver is the Colt, which weighs twenty- three ounces ; this arm has a barrel 3J inches long. I think this should be the limit of weight permitted, though some claim the weight should be extended to twenty-five ounces to permit a four-inch barrel in this make of revolver. In regard to ammunition, I think none but factory cartridges should be permitted, for the reason that light loads are likely to be used in reloaded cartridges. Pro- vision also should be made to prevent the use of a reduced factory cartridge. I can foresee that, if shooting with a pocket revolver becomes popular, there would be a call for gallery loads in .32 and .38 caliber ; and when re- sponded to, the gallery hero would shoot persistently, until a phenomenal score was made, which would be held up for the inspection of the world as what can be done with a pocket revolver. POCKET REVOLVERS. 113 A well made revolver is a safe, accurate, and reliable weapon in the hands of a cool person. An element of danger exists always with excitable persons who handle firearms, and a short-barreled pistol or revolver is more dangerous than any other firearm, when carelessly handled. ^'"Z^sr Fig. 82. — Mr. F. O. Young. Pistol and Revolver Shot, San Francisco, Cal. A first-class revolver is a safe weapon to handle by a careful person, but a poorly made revolver is the most dangerous of all firearms, even in the hands of careful persons. It is a noticeable fact that the beautiful revolvers of Smith & Wesson, the Colt Company, and such con- cerns bear simply the names of the makers ; the cheap, worthless trash are stamped with the most high-sounding 114 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. names which immediately brands them to the expert as worthless articles. In looking over the various American revolvers, I could find none I considered worth testing but of the following make : Smith & Wesson, Colt's Patent Fire- arms Manufacturing Company, American Arms Company, Hopkins & Allen Manufacturing Co., Marlin Firearms Company, and John P. Lovell Arms Company. A test of revolvers produced by the above manufact- urers was conducted at the range of the Massachusetts Rifle Association at Walnut Hill, . under the following conditions : — Five expert pistol shots were engaged to do the shooting. The distance at which the arms were shot was twenty-five yards, and the target shot on was the center of the 100- yard rifle target, with the bullseye and circles out to and including the four circle. This center is thirteen inches in diameter ; but believing that the revolvers would be poorly sighted, it was thought necessary to have a larger target to catch the shots, therefore this center was pasted in the middle of a square piece of pasteboard, in size 28 x 28 inches, which made the whole target the same size as is used in pistol and revolver shooting at Walnut Hill, at a range of fifty yards. Two racks were used, into which the targets were slipped, enabling one to change targets expeditiously. Two hundred new targets on clean pieces of pasteboard were arranged for this test, and every group of shots was fired at a clean target. The question of how to do the shooting was submitted to the shooting experts. Should the shooting be done at a rest, in such manner as to make known the possibilities of revolvers and ammunition ; or should it be done in I POCKET REVOLVERS. 115 the usual off-hand style as in matches ? It was the opinion of the shooting experts that the latter mode should be adopted. It should therefore be borne in mind that the results represent both possibilities of arms and ammunition and skill of the shooters ; but every man taking part in Fig. 83.— Fifty consecutive shotsratTtwelve^yards, bylMr. W.^W. Bennett with a Smith & Wesson Pocket Revolver, .38 caliber, 3V4 inch barrel, U. JVC. C. Co. ammunition. the shooting possesses skill sufficient to shoot frequently into the nineties in ten shots at fifty yards on the Stand- ard American 200-yard rifle target, with a pistol. 116 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. Two days were taken to do the shooting, five men shooting most of the .38 calibers, and four the .32 calibers, a separate day being given to each. When testing the revolvers, the arms were arranged on a table. On a bench near by was the ammunition, supplied by the three different companies ; viz., the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, Winchester Repeat- ing Arms Company, and the United States Cartridge Company. Each company manufacturing the* revolvers and the ammunition was invited to send a representative to wit- ness the shooting, and to take part in it. Owing to a very heavy rain on the night before and on the morning of the test, a number of those invited failed to appear ; but representatives from the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, and the United States Cartridge Company were present ; the shooting expert of the latter company assisting in the shooting, while the representative of the Union Metallic Cartridge Company was busy making careful notes. There were also present several expert rifle and pistol shots. The weather conditions were good for shooting on both days. After an explanation of the manner of conducting the test had been given, a .38 caliber revolver was taken from the lot and loaded by the one conducting the test, and handed to one of the shooters, who did not know the make of ammunition he was shooting. The shooter pro- ceeded to the firing-point, and with the greatest care fired the five shots. The target was then removed, brought to the shooting pavilion, and marked. In the meantime the revolver was carefully cleaned, and loaded with five shots of another make of ammunition. The shooter then fired five more shots, on a clean target, after which the target was removed and marked, the pistol again loaded and POCKET REVOLVERS. 117 charged with another make of ammunition, and shot by the same marksman for a third time. When one man had shot a certain make of revolver five rounds with the Fig. 84. — Group of fifty consecutive shots at twelve yards, with Smith & Wesson .38 caliber Pocket Revolver, '6}i inch barrel. different makes of ammunition, that arm was put into the hands of another expert, and shot by him the same as the first man shot. Thus the line of revolvers was tested ; and had it not been for some of the arms being withdrawn, each man would have fired fifteen shots from each re- volver, or 105 shots with the .38 calibers, making a total of 525 shots from the .38 caliber revolvers. 118 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. There were entered on the list of the .88 calibers the following revolvers : — Smith & Wesson, single-action. " " double-action. Colt double-action. American Arms Company, single and double-action. Marlin, double-action. Lovell (Swift), double-action. In .32 calibers : — Smith & Wesson, single-action. " " double-action. American Arms Company, single and double-action. Hopkins & Allen, double-action. Marlin Patent Firearms Company, double-action- The action of the Smith & Wesson revolvers seemed perfect ; there was no accidental discharges, no puncturing of primers, no keyholes from the shots, and the mechanism worked perfectly. They were distinguished for beauty of finish, symmetry, and fine shooting qualities. The Colt's Patent Firearms Company entered but one revolver, a .38 caliber double-action, such as is supplied to the police of a number of cities. This arm shot well through- out the test, showing no faults or defects of any kind. It shot well with both long and short cartridges. There was one accidental pull-off, wholly the fault of the shooter. It possesses strength, symmetry, and first-class shooting qualities. It was the unanimous opinion of all the experts in- terested in this test, that the above two makes of revolvers possess about equal merit, and were entitled to be classed as No. 1 for excellence. The American Arms Company revolver is a well-made arm, and possesses a very ingenious mechanism. It is an accurate shooting arm, but was poorly sighted — so poorly POCKET REVOLVERS. 119 that by aiming at the bottom edge of the four-inch buUseye in the center of the large target, all the shots could not be kept on the target ; the front sight was not high enough to permit aiming at an object and striking it or near it. Fig. 85. — \ Fifty consecutive shots at twelve yards with a .38 caliber Colt pocket revolver, Police Model. The incorrect sighting is a fault easily remedied, but the mechanism of the arm submitted was faulty, and was the 1 20 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND RE VOL VERS. chief cause of its poor showing. The mechanism is such that by pressing the trigger, it is cocked, and a second pressure of the finger releases the hammer. If it is desired to use the arm as a double-action hammerless, a little stud, which projects on the side of the action, is set over, and by- pressing the trigger the arm is not cocked, but the concealed hammer brought to a certain point; and as soon as this point is passed, the arm is discharged. In the .32 caliber, the mechanism worked perfectly, but in the .38 caliber the discharge of a shot would frequently change the mechanism, and when attempting to cock the revolver by the only way provided to do it, the arm would be accidentally dis- charged. After the test was finished, the arm was shot, and by setting the stud at each time it was jarred out of place, and by aiming fourteen inches below the bullseye good targets were made. With the above faults remedied, the revolver would undoubtedly be popular with many. The Hopkins & Allen revolver was entered by Hulbert Brothers of New York. There was no .38 caliber entered, the arm being a .32 double-action. It was not so well made an arm as the previous arms, the parts bearing no comparison with the workmanship of a Smith & Wesson or a Colt revolver, and it was not a smooth-working revolver. It was poorly sighted, shooting high and to the left of the bullseye with all the shooters. But with the above faults, it shot quite well and regularly. The Marlin revolvers, both in .32 and .38 caliber, developed serious faults. They were inferior in workman- ship and appearance to the Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers, and want of care in their manufacture made them positively dangerous arms to handle. From the first to the last shot fired with both .32 and .38 caliber Marlin revolvers, the nose of the hammer punctured the primers of every cartridge of the three different makes. This per- I Pocket revolvers. l21 mitted an escape of gas, and so fouled the revolvers that they would not stand cocked. As a result, the revolvers were accidently discharged as many as three times out of five. The arms proved to be so dangerous they were not shot through the test, and those groups recorded represent, in some instances, cartridges supplied for those accidentally fired ; the five shots being fired to learn the shooting quali- ties. The manufacturers claimed after the test that the revolvers were sent from the factory before being inspected bj a competent person that the fault alluded to has been remedied. The Lovell revolver appears to be a well-made arm, but it was discovered to be too large in the bore to shoot any of the ammunition provided, and was withdrawn. In the tables presented herewith will be found the records of the several arms tested, with descriptions of same. The results should not be considered as repre- senting the possibilities of revolvers and ammunition, for skill of the shooter also enters into the result. It is possible to do much fi.ner shooting with a pocket revolver than is here shown, and this was vividly illustrated at the conclusion of the test with the .38 caliber, when each shooter present was permitted to shoot with a preferred arm for his own satisfaction, and finer targets than those recorded were often made. The writer carried to the range, on the day of the tests, a Smith & Wesson single-action .38 caliber revolver with a four-inch barrel. This arm was perfectly sighted, and it was his intention to hold it in readiness to show what a first-class pocket revolver was capable of doing. An opportunity offered after the test had closed, and one of the shooters was invited to try the arm. He recorded the following score : — 10 9 10 9 10=48. 122 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. Groups of shots were made with the arm which sur- prised many. It was considered desirable, in recording the results of Fig. 86. — Five consecutive sliots at twelve yards, witli Smith & Wesson .38 caliber Pocket Revolver, 3% inch barrel. the test, to adopt the following plan : Two circles were struck. The first touched and inclosed four of the five shots ; the second touched and inclosed the five shots. The diameter of the circles was then taken and recorded. Thus every target shows that four out of five shots, or eighty per cent of the shots, are in a circle so many inches in diameter ; in the second column the diameter of group of five shots is shown. When the shooting is regular, and all the shots find the target, a mean is given. Where this is omitted, the shots were not caught by the target. In order to represent the location ot the groups of shots. POCKET REVOLVERS. 123 the distance the group of five averages from the buUseye, or object aimed at, is given, and the direction is indicated by the clock dial, as in rifle shooting. To illustrate : A group of shots recorded 6-XII means the location of the group was six inches over the buUseye at twelve o'clock ; 9-III, nine inches from the bullseye at three o'clock, and so on. It is perhaps not generally known that the mode of grasping a revolver has much to do with the elevation of the shots ; therefore it is impossible to sight a revolver perfectly for different individuals. Most of the shooters shot about alike as regards elevation ; but one of the experts, by his mode of grasping a revolver, and perhaps sighting, would group his shots a number of inches lower than the other men. The tables presented are full of interest to those familiar with firearms ; and many valuable deductions, it is thought, can be made from them. 124 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. cation of roup. I— 1 -c 1— 1 1^ M M >— t>-H 1— t 1 1 MMI— 1 gj h- i "- *^ "H H.I— II— IM M hH -H M 1 ^^>^S xxxy. klx^M X!MM>< XX \ 1 a ^ O «I«QJ -fc« rtl« r*l r** 1 COOOCOQ CO>ClM ->* C<1-«J<00«0 oooe^o «0(M 1 -1- CO o : : : : : : : : P A (MIO C5 1— 1 i-H lO CO ■* OOOO (M 1 OOOO lo mco CO CO cot- lo coeot-iH tH COIOIC 05 CO CO ^ in ■>*< 0^ CO "* co>c itt o to lOrfi CO CO >* -Ht-r-IOS Oi 1 ->*" c-^ >n 00 CO co'-S' lO 1 I-H r— 1 1 J J ro ■ : ■ : I : : : ■*j O J3 fo in 05 1-H r- O t-lNT)< 00 O IC CO T-H 00 U3 00 1- O O lO CO rf<(N 50 05 «£ > U7 CO CO 05 I— 1 CO t-lO CO O t- rH CO Tti iO t- -* ■* CO(M-* ec 5 eoeoco 1-1 CO t-c^ t-co lO ff»-<*CO t- -* -*CO CO a 1— I-HT3 ■c 1— 1 KH p^ catio of roup. 1— t — 1— 1 (T, ^^1. M>*(My I-H (M Tj* Tt< »H OiCOCO(M lOCO 1 . . . . 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The targets will be placed at an angle of forty-five degrees with the track, in order that the firing may be to the right front and left front, instead of directly to the right and left. c. Same as "a," except that the targets (target K) will be the sil- houette of a mounted soldier. In all cases, both in regular practice and in matches, where this target is used, hits, direct or ricochet, in that portion of the silhouette above a line drawn from the back of the horse to the point of junction of the trooper's arm and horse's neck, will be scored two; all other hits will be scored one. d. Same as "6," except that target K will be used instead of target D. In determining the order of merit in the revolver match, the dis- mounted firing, the mounted firing at the D targets, and the mounted firing at the K targets will be considered separately, and the final order decided by the mean of the percentages for tliese three classes. In case of ties the provisions of paragraph 651 will be applied, the firing at the K targets being for this purpose considered as at the longest distance and the dismounted firing at the shortest. The prizes will be as now provided by paragraph 602, If deemed expedient by the officer in cliarge of the competition, RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 213 paragraph 601 may be furtlier modified by including in the first day of the match a portion of the mounted firing, provided that similar portions for each competitor are so included. 7. Distinguished marksmen eligible under the provisions of paragraph 605 for membership on the army teams will participate in the appro- priate department or cavalry competition in a manner similar to that now provided in paragraphs 603 and 604. The officers and enlisted men, five in number, highest on the resulting list at each department or cavalry competition will be assembled annually at some central point to compete for places respectively on the army rifle and army carbine teams of ten, in the manner and for the prizes now provided for army competitions. Alternates will not be selected for these army contests. 8. Distinguished marksmen who have not gained places among the selected competitors for the army teams or who may no longer be eligible for those teams, will be assembled annually to the number of ten, firing with the rifle, and the same number with the carbine to com- pete for the prizes now provided in paragraph 605. The number of these marksmen to be thus selected at each department or cavalry com- petition, will be determined annually by the commanding general of the army. The competitions of these teams will be held at the same time and place as the army competitions. 9. The "short quick jerk forward and downward" prescribed in paragraph 836 as an aid in cocking the revolver will be omitted and the pistol cocked by the thumb alone while at the position of raise pistol. 10. In dismounted firing with the revolver, deliberate aim will be taken, or else the method of quick-aimed fire hereafter prescribed for mounted practice will be followed, in the discretion of the troop commander. 11. The dismounted practice at seventy-five yards, required by para- graph 845, will be omitted, and the record practice at twenty-five yards and fifty yards limited to five shots at each range. 12. In mounted practice the method of quick-aimed fire will be substituted for the snap shooting prescribed in paragraphs 833, 837, and 839. In this method of tiring, the soldier w^ill lower the pistol from the position of raise pistol, point or thrust it towards the ob- jective, and, looking along the barrel at the object, fire without delay as the alignment is caught, and without eft'ort to prolong or correct the aim. 13. In the preliminary instruction in mounted firing, the targets (refer to diagram, paragraph 848) will be placed at ten yards as well as at five yards from the track, and also as prescribed in paragraph 6, "6," of this order, and the gaits of walk and trot as well as gallop observed when circling around the track. To this will be added similar instruction, using for targets the silhouette (target K) of a mounted soldier. 14. Mounted firing to the front, both individual and collective, as prescribed by paragraphs 853 and 854, will be omitted. 15. The following record or regular mounted pistol practice will be substituted for that prescribed by paragraph 855, each trooper during its prosecution riding his own horse : — a. With the targets (target D) arranged as in paragraph 848, one circling of the track at a walk for each trooper, firing five shots in each 214 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. of the prescribed directions; viz., to the right, left, right front, left front, and right rear, or twenty-five shots in all. 6. Similar to "a," except that the track will be traversed at a gallop; twenty-five shots. c. Similar to "&," except that the targets will be ten yards instead of five yards from the track ; twenty-five shots. d. Similar to " c," except that the targets (target K) shall be sil- houettes of a mounted soldier; twenty-five shots. e. With the targets (target D) arranged as directed in paragraph 6, Fig. 118. — Ten shots at twenty-five yards, by Sergt. J. J. Mountjov, with a Wurfflein Pistol. Shot at Philadelphia, Penn., May 22, 1892. Reduced one half. "6" of this order, one circling of the track, at a gallop, to the right and one to the left; ten shots. /. Similar to " e," except that the target K will be used instead of target D; ten shots. The entire record course, which will be followed by each officer and enlisted man, thus comprises ten shots dismounted and 120 shots mounted. 16. Instruction in revolver firing will be held separately from that with the carbine, the season for that purpose being one month in duration, which will either precede or follow the practice season with the carbine, as the department commander may direct. 17. As accuracy in revolver firing is greatly influenced by the tract- ability of the horses, every endeavor will be made to accustom them RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 215 to the report of firearms. For this purpose it will be found advan- tageous to conduct the earlier instruction of the trooper, prescribed by paragraphs 843 and 844, in the corral or other convenient place near the horses, which, at first left free to move around, should, as they become more familiar with the noise and flash, be lariated near the firing party and gradually brought closer to the men ; also, during the dismounted practice with ball cartridges, the horses should always be in the near vicinity of the firing-point. If this training is carefully conducted, and if when commencing the mounted practice with blank cartridges, prescribed in paragraph 847, effort is made to do so without haste or excitement, the horses will be readily broken to mounted firing. 18. No reports of revolver firing will hereafter be rendered except that (Form 30-f) now required by paragraph 856, at the close of the season. 19. For each cavalryman, officer and enlisted man, revolver am- munition to the value of $2 will hereafter be annually allowed, and in addition for each troop of cavalry, 8,000 rounds of blank revolver ammunition, instead of the respective amounts now fixed by paragraphs 875 and 881. 20. The allowance of revolver ammunition now fi?:ed by paragraph 884 is modified to read sixty ball and twenty blank cartridges. By command of Majob General, Schofield: J. C. KELTON, Adjutant General. Official : Assistant Adjutant General. 216 MODERN A M ERIC AN PIS TOLS AND RE VOL VERS. REVOLVER PRACTICE IN THE U. S. NAVY. The following instructions from Gunnery Drill Book govern revolver practice in the U. S. Navy. MANUAL FOR COLT DOUBLE-ACTION NAVY REVOLVER. Orders. Caution. Preparation. Execution. 1 Pistol Draw! 1 Fire! 2 Load ! 3 Pistol. 4 2. *Round.. *Round.. 3 r Single aim...l ( Single snap.. ( Double aim . . ( Double snap. J ( Cartridges ) ( Pack ) Return 4 1. ** Pistol, draw! " (One lime aud two motions.) At the order, *' Pistol," carry the right hand to the holster, loosen the flap catch by an outward and upward pull of the flap, pass the fingers under the grip, and loosen pistol in holster. " Draw! " Draw the pistol from the holster and carry it to the right shoulder, barrel vertical, hammer at height of shoulder, fingers clear of trigger and in rear of trigger guard, t 2. " Single, aim, fire! " (One time and three motions.) ''Single," full cock and carry first finger to trigger. '• Aim," extend the right arm straight to the front, elbow very slightly bent, aud aim at the object * Note. — Cautionary order " Round," to be given onlj- when all cluimbers are to be emptied. Any number of shots may be designated as Three. Two, etc. Wlien but one shot is to be fired, no cautionary order is given. t Note.— When the cutlass is worn Avith the revolver, the holster will be on the right hip ; normally just in rear of the hip joint, but it may be moved in front of the hip, at order " Pistols, front," when the occupation of the men is such as to make this last mentioned position more desirable. When the cutlass is not worn, the holster will be on the left hip; normally in rear of the hip joint, but it may be moved to the front as before. In any of these four positions, the grip will be presented to the hand con- veniently, aud in any of them the left hand may be carried to the holster at the order, "Pistol," to steady it against the pull in drawing, in case it has become wet from rain, or from having been overboard, as in landing, etc. RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 217 with foresight filling notch to top of the frame. " Fire . " Pull trigger and return to position, ''Pistol, draw." "Single, snap, fire!" As before, except that the object will be pointed at without running the eye over the sights. "Double, aim, fire! " As before, except that the piece will not be brought to full cock. " Double, snap, fire! " As before, except that the sights will not be used. When cautionary orders, as Round, Two, Three, etc., are given, all chambers will be emptied, or the designated number of shots delivered before coming to the position, " Pistol, draw."* 3. Cartridges, load! " (One time and three motions. ) First motion. Carry the left hand in front of the body, left forearm pointing forty-five degrees to the right, and slightly above the horizontal, palm of the hand up. Drop the piece into it, latch up, cylinder in the palm, barrel between thumb and first finger, muzzle forty-five degrees to the left, and forty-five degrees below the horizontal. With thumb of right hand unlatch cylinder, and with second and third fingers of left hand turn out cylinder, pressing crane firmly back, first finder resting on barrel at joint of frame, and fourth finger on hammer. With thumb of left hand applied to ejector-rod head, slowly press rod home, and hold it in that position while any fired cartridge cases that have not fallen off are brushed aside by first finger of right hand. Allow thumb of left hand to slip from rod head and rest on the cylinder Carry right hand to cartridge box and loosen catch. f Second motion. With the thumb and first finger of the right hand take a cartridge from the box and place it in an empty chamber. So continue till all chambers are loaded. With right hand fasten cartridge box flap and grasp grip of pistol, finger clear of trigger. With thumb of left hand press cylinder home. Elevate muzzle forty-five degrees above the horizontal. Release thumb pressure, and with second and third fingers press back and upward on cylinder, thus rotating it and testing security of latching and freedom of rotation. Third motion. Resume position, "Pistol, draw." •• Pack, load! "t * Note.— In pointing or aiming, the grip should he firmly but lightly grasped by the last three fingers and the thumb, the first joint of this last pointing slightly down. The shape of the grip does not lend itself to extending the thumb, nor to dropping the fourth finger under the butt; nor are such positions used by the best pistol marksmen. The pull upon the trigger should be made with the second joint of the firsr finger, and the direction of the pull should be directly to the rear. Very few hands will be found to be so small that this cannot readily be done. The elbow should be slightly bent, so that the recoil will come upon the mu.scles, and not upon the braced bones of the arm. At the instant of pulling trigger, the grip of the hand and the muscles of the arm should be slightly tautened, to steady the piece against the pull and the " flip." t Note.— In " Cartridges, load," the muzzle should be depressed and the ejector worked slowly to avoid throwing out unfired cartridges when ejecting. In all cases, when loading, the muzzle should be depressed, or the cartridges may slip out before the cylinder is closed. X Note. — In " Pack, load," the muzzle should be elevated in ejecting, so that the empty cartridge cases will fall clear. AVhen ejecting under any circumstances, the cylinder must be held fully open — the crane must be pressed firmly back — to allow the head of the case nearest the latch to pass by. In withdrawing packs from cartridge box, seize ring with thumb and second finger, first finger on plug head, and turn pack slightly to free it in pack hole. In charging cylinder, do not tiirn pack or in any way attempt to guide cartridges. 218 MODERN AMERICAN PISTOLS AND REVOLVER:^. Same, except: First motion. Drop piece into left hand with the muzzle forty-five degrees above horizontal, and in ejecting press rod head home smartly; then drop muzzle to loading position in " Cartridges, load." Second motion. With thumb and second finger of right hand take a pack from the box, first finger on plug head. Place plug point in latch seat in ejector, lift first finger from plug head, and press on pack ring with thumb and second finger. Then proceed as in " Cartridges, load." 4. "Return pistol!" (One time and two motions.) "Return!" Drop the muzzle and enter it in the holster. " Pistol I " Thrust it home, and fasten flap. . REMARKS 0:N^ THE REVOLVER MANUAL. The above manual is for right-hand work, but when charging the enemy's boarders, or when boarding, M'here the hands do not have to be used in climbing, the revolver will be used in the left hand, the cutlass in the right, as follows: — "Sword and pistol, draw, charge!" At the preparatory order, '• Sword and pistol," carry the right hand to cutlass hilt, and the left hand behind the back to revolver grip, and loosen the arms in scabbard and holster. At the order, "Draw," draw both cutlass and revolver, bringing the first to the position siqjport^ diagonally across the body, edge to the front, point opposite and near the left shoulder, and the second to the position " Left hand, aim," arm nearly extended to the front, elbow slightly bent, finger on the trigger. At the order, "Charge!" empty the chambers, on a lun, and close with the cutlass. Firing with the left hand to be al\\ays double snap, although the double pull of eleven pounds and the awkwardness due to using the left hand, will always make such firing wild, it will be found that, with very little practice, men can deliver the six shots, when closing on a run from forty yards to five yards, and get them home between the neck and knees as regards elevation, and with a dispersion laterally of ten feet. The empty revolver may be used to parry a cut at the head, leaving the cutlass free to deliver a thrust in three. In case of a check, or oiher cause, giving time to reload, the revolvers are reloaded at the order " Pack, load." At this order, drop the cutlass hilt, allowing the weapon to hang by the lanyard from the right wrist, change the revolver grip to the right hand, and proceed as per manual. When loaded, change revolver to left hand and resume position, "Sword and pistol, draw." When, for lack of more effective arms, it becomes necessary to use revolvers at long range, a considerable effect up to 120 yards can be gotten from them by using volleys delivered over the left arm as a rest, as follows: — « "Left arm rest, single aim, fire! " At the order, "Left arm rest,' grasp the right forearm near the elbow with the left hand, and make a half face to the rierlit. Enter i)lug tit in latch seat and press straight down on ring, relieving pressure of first linger on plug head at same time. ' To Chdn/e 7Vf<7,\s.— Flaee six cartridges in holes in pack charging block. En- close cartridge heads with jtack ring. Enter plug between cartridges through hole in ring. Press i)lug gently to iiush cartridge heads to seats, and then push l)lug home with ball of palm of hand. RULES FOR PISTOL AXB REVOLVER SHOOTING. 219 " Single I " Full cock the piece. "Aim! " Drop the right hand into hollow of left arm, with joint hetween cylinder and barrel outside of elbow, raise the left arm, and aim with full sights. " Fire!" Pull the trigger, steadying the piece with grasp of left hand on right forearm. The revolver is sighted, full, for twenty yards, but the " flip " counter- balances the curve of trajectory up to 120 ^'■ards. Inside of twenty-five yards the shooting will be slightly high. The double pull, being heavy and "creepy," is not well' adapted to aimed fire. The single pull of from six to eiglit pounds may be lightened by slacking the strain screw, when nice target work is wanted. With the strain screw slackened off, the mainspring will still have sufficient resilience for firing on the single, but it will not be sure on the double pull. DISMOUNTING AND ASSEMBLING COLT DOUBLE- ACTION NAVY REVOLVER. Turn stock screw partly out, and press on screw to loosen half stocks and remove these last. Turn out cap screws, tap guard and frame with screw-driver handle to loosen cap, and remove cap. Slip out hand and spring. Pass wrench handle between frame and mainspring, wltli neck of handle at curve of frame under swell, width of handle forward of curve, and by twisting wrench cam spring down till stirrup can be thrown off. Slip mainspring out. Draw hammer off pin. With widest part of wrench liandle applied at curve of frame under swell, cam down rebound spring and slip rebound lever off pin. Draw trigger off pin. With large drift, drive out rebound spring pin and remove spring. Turn out crane-lock screw, and remove lock. Grasp crane at flat and draw it forward, thus compressing ejector spring. Turn cylinder till any flute indexes with crane joint on frame, and remove cylinder and crane. Press latch fully back, and, with small drift applied through hole in latch, push out latch-spring pin. Remove latch and spring. With large drift, drive out strut pin, and remove strut and spring from hammer. With small drift, push out stirrup pin. With large drift, turn off ejector rod head, and with ejector wrench, turn off ejector — left-hand thread — and remove cylinder. With crane-nut wrench, turn out crane nuts — left-hand thread — and remove ejector rod and spring. The barrel will not be unscrewed from the frame, nor pins driven out, other than those bef(H-e mentioned, unless to replace broken hammer pin. To assemble. — Proceed in the reverse order, except, 1. After screwing on the ejector, until the guide pin indexes with its hole, with the set, lightly set out the end of the rod. When replacing a broken ejector rod, screw the ejector down to the shoulder, then back off till the guide pin indexes properly, and use the set as before. 220 MODERN AMEBIC AX PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 2. To assemble the latch in the frame. — Seat the latch with its spring in place. Then, with the large end of the large drift, compress the spring, pushing on the small end with the thumb of the left hand, and holding the latch in place with the forefinger of the same hand applied to the cylindrical part. With the right hand enter the latch-spring pin in the hole from the cap side of the frame, and push it home, working it over the last coil of the spring, and at the same time releasing, gradually, the pressure on the drift. 3. See that the guide pin in cap is to rear of handspring before pushing cap forward to place. 4. In assembling, place crane-lock screw head in slot in lock and enter both together; then tarn screw home. In this way the grasp of the lock on crane is insured. Be sure the crane lock enters its slot, which will be known by heads of lock and screw coming nearly flush with frame when set up. Ejector rod is of best Stubbs steel, untempered. It will spring some and may be set by abuse. In case rod is bent, place pistol on bench, right side down, and with cylinder turned out. Hold crane back with left hand and revolve cylinder with right, noting the throw out of rod head. Turn rod head till the throw is up, and tap it with screw-driver handle. Revolve again to test alignment. So proceed till rod is straightened. The screw-driver handle has been designed for use as a mallet in all work about the revolver. Hold it by the neck and deliver blow with butt end. Never hold by the blade and drive with side of handle. REMARKS ox MANIPULATION OF COLT DOUBLE-ACTION NAVY REVOLVER. When the hammer is rebounded, it is positively locked back, and can- not fall till the trigger be pulled or the mechanism broken, and therefore it is always safe as long as the finger is kept off the trigger. If the trigger be tried when the cylinder is turned out, or if under the same conditions the attempt to full cock the piece be made, the resistance of the safety nib of the trigger upon the crane end will be felt; and if now either trigger or hammer be forced, the nib will cut into the crane end and raise a burr which will disable the arm, or at least make the double pull heavy. The pistol cannot be fired until the cylinder is latched home, because only then can the primer of the car- tridge come into the plane of the hammer stroke; but by forcing the safety nib to shear into the slot in the crane end, the hammer may be made to rise and fall. A heavy double pull, then, inrlicates that the cylinder is not latched. Latching the cylinder must be insisted upon, and the men instructed to close it smartly with the thumb of the l^-ft hand, and to test the latching by pressing back with the fingers of the same hand, with an upward rolling push, which rotates the cylinder and gives assurance that it is clear and ready for work. If the cylinder be not latched, the pressure of the fingers will turn it out, and, if it had been closed smartly, the non-latching will indicate dirt or other obstruction between the flat of the crane and the frame, which must be brushed out by the finger. The rotating of the cylinder is allowed by this mechanism, which has no cylinder bolt, since the hand positively brings the chambers to the RULES FOR PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING. 221 firing position in succession, and entirely overcomes the "overthrow" so objectionable in the single-acting revolvers. The good features of a freely rotating, no-bolt cylinder are partly counterbalanced by this minor defect; the cylinder must be fully loaded before the weapon is returned to the holster to insure a fire at the first pull of the trigger, since one of the unloaded chambers might be first brought to the firing position by the action of the mechanism. When the arms have been loaded for a long time, and carried in heavy raius, or in excessively dusty places, the latches should be sprung back a few times to test their condition, and the latching in and free rotation of the cylinder tested, as above. When first using the double pull, it is the tendency of a person accus- tomed to single-action pistols to release too slowly and to pull again before the trigger has had its full forward movement; and when attempt- ing to fire very quickly on the double pull, the novice will almost invariably make his pull so short — though not quick — that the hammer will not always be lifted. Men should be thoroughly practiced at the double pulls with the arm in either hand, and should be made to miderstand that if from any cause the double action fail, there is still the single to fall back on. The single pull is established at six to eight pounds, and the double at nine to eleven pounds. The sighting is for twenty yards, with front sight filling to the top of the notch. The same sighting holds good up to eighty yards, above which a little increase of elevation will be needed up to 120 yards. The revolvers will shoot slightly high inside of twenty yards. As with all revolvers, after long continued firing, the fouling should be wiped from the face of the cylinder to prevent clogging of the joint between cylinder and barrel. In handling this arm, one axiom should be borne in mind — no re- volver has yet been made which does not require a little intelligence in manipulating, if it is to be depended upon; and on drill, strict obedi- ence to these four rules should be insisted upon : — 1. Never touch the hammer or trigger when the arm is not pointed up or at the object. 2. Never touch the hammer or trigger when the cylinder is unlatched. o. After closing the cylinder, always test the latching and rotating. ' 4. Never force the hammer or trigger. MIXTS TO ARMORERS OX COLT DOUBLE- ACTIOX XAVY REVOLVERS. Use only good sperm oil for lubricating; if other oil be used in clean- ing, see that it is carefully wiped off from all parts. Keep the latches free from rust under the thumb-piece. It will rarely be necessary to dismount the latch to do this. Spring it fully back, clean the spot on the frame normally covered by the thumb-piece, and oil well; then work the latch a few times. Do not dismount the crane from the cylinder unless very rusty, as unscrewing the ejector should be avoided. With the crane and cylinder dismounted from the frame, press the crane arm out of the cylinder by compressing the ejector spring, clean and oil. Proceed in like manner with ejector rod. If, after this, there is evidence of internal rust or dirt, it is time to turn off ejector and dismount entirely. In dismounting crane and cylinder from frame, slack, but do not turn out crane-lock screw. 222 MODI EX AMERICAN PISTOLS AND BEVOLVERS. If double pull is heavy, examine end of crane for burrs thrown up by safety nib of trigger, when the arm has been abused. If burrs are found, remove them with smooth file. To test free working of trigger, hand and rebound lever, pull off at double pull; then let the trigger move forward slowly and pull back again before heel of trigger engages hammer strut. If a rub is felt, remove cap and examine the three parts mentioned. To test free working of hammer and strength of mainspring, hold trigger back and work hammer with thumb. Keep rebound lever clean and free from rust, especially where end of rebound spring bears. The stiain screws are set to just beat- on main- springs; if these last set by continual snapping on drill, give the strain screws a turn. It would be well to slack off strain screws clear of mainsprings — one turn back will do it — when the arms are to be snapped much on drill. In assembling the latch in the frame, a little practice will be necessary in order to enter the pin readily. Follow the directions closely. Use the handle of the screw driver — butt end — as a mallet in loosening cap, etc., and, in general, wherever it can be used as such. In the field, the wrench handle can be used as a hammer for the drifts. In using the wrench, as such, remember that the threads of the ejector and crane nut are both left handed, and that they are light, and can be leadily stripped. REVOLVER RULES IN THE T^IASSACHUSETTS MILITIA. The following rules goverjiing revolver practice in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia were issued by Colonel George F. Hall, inspector general of rifle practice in 1894. KEVOLVER QUALIFICATIOXS. Officers and non-commissioned staff officers of organizations armed with the revolver, and any other officers and non-commissioned staff' officers owning the regulation army revolver, will qualify as follows: — First Class: two scores of twenty-eight out of a possible thirty, at fifiy yards. Second Class: two scores of twenty-five out of a possible thirty, at fifty yards. The target shall be that used for rifle shooting at 200 yards. Each score must be shot in one minute, or less, and must be approved by an officer. Position; arm extended, elbow free from body. Ammunition, any; niinimiun trigger pull, four pounds. Competitors furnish their own' am munition. This cut illustrates the Winchester, Model 1892, "Take-Down" Rifle. The Model 1886 rifle will soon be nnade in the same form. In this space we cannot mention, in detail, the many kinds of Arms, REPEATING RIFLES AND SHOT GUNS, SINGLE-SHOT RIFLES. AMMUNITIOM, PRIMERS, SHOT SHELLS, WADS, MEDAL-PATCHED BULLETS, ETC., made by us. We will, however, mail our illustrated catalogue to any part of the world, when asked. All our guns are proved and inspected, and all our sporting rifles are tested at target. Our Ammunition is tested in process of manu- facture and when finished, by a special corps of experts, and is surpassed by no other make. We are prepared to answer all correspondence promptly. Commendations are received with thanks. Complaints command instant attention. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO., NEW HAVEN, CONN., U. S. A. STORES : { ?,^" ^J^\'^''°' ^^^' \ New York, N. Y. SMITH & WESSON REVOLVERS. IN CALIBERS FROM .32 TO .4 ' 4 >^'C-» The engraved plates we make are engraved by means of photographic and chemical processes on either copper or zinc, and while in all printing qualities, such as smoothness of surface, sharpness, and depth of line, they are fully equal to wood cuts, they are in cases where an exact repro- duction of the original is desired, very much superior to them, and cost about one half the price of the same quality of work done on wood» The plates can be printed by any type printer on the common printing press, the same as any wood cut. HA 1 r^ ' l^r\TVTr^ This process is suitable for the finest class of ALF 1 ONE. , T^u w , ^'A work. The plates are engraved on solid copper, and are made direct from photographs or -wash drawings^ or any- thins; that -will photograph, and are much finer than anything engraved on wood. 1 IMFh F^Mf^D a VllVr^ '^^ eff'ect appears the same as wood _"^ ^^ engraving, the drawings are copied by our artists from photographs or from the object itself, or reproduced direct from the printed copy sent us. The plates are made of zinc, and are suitable for all grades of printing, from the finest catalogue work to the coarsest newspaper work. Nearly all the cuts in this work were made by this process. Send stamp for specimen sheet. PHOTO ELECTROTYPE CO.. 275 Washington Street, Boston. f Illustrated Guide Books to Winter Resorts in the West Indies. STARK'S GUIDES to the West Indies are admitted to be the best published. They are profusely illustrated in the highest style of the art with photo-prints and maps. The author thoroughly canvassed these islands for material for his guide books, and nothing is omitted or overlooked which the invalid, or traveler for pleasure, will wish to know. Stark's History and Guide to Bermuda Price, SI. 50 " " " " " the Bahamas .... " JJ.OO " " " " " Barbados and the Caribbees Islands 2.00 For sale by the Photo Electrotype Co., 275 Washington St., Boston ; Brentano Bros., Union Square, New York ; and at all of Cook's Ticket Agencies. THE WURFFLEIN Gallery /^ Target Pistol. The Wurfflein 5ingle=Shot Breech=Loading Target=Pistol is constructed on the Tip-Up Barrel System, the Quickest and Handiest System in use. It possesses the follozv in g points of merit over o,tkers : — Aiitoinal ic rebounding: lianinaer, whereby the trouble of half-cocking, the risk of breaking the firing pin, defacing the breech of barrel, or acci- dentally discharging the Pistol, is avoided, as the hammer is never resting on the firing pin, or at full cock, but always at safety. New, improved, patented, simple, strong, convenient, and easy manipu- lated top action, which is drawn back like a hammer to open the Pistol. It will be seen at a glance that this is the most complete, quickest, and handiest action in the market. Imjiroved hinge point, which is so constructed that it is impossible to pinch the hand in opening the Pistol, as is the case with other Tip-Up barrel Pistols. Patented, automatic, positive, strong, simple Shell Extractor, which returns to its place, giving a flat breech to more conveniently insert the cartridge. Convenient detachable barrel Hinge Pin, whereby the barrel can be de- tached in a few seconds without screw driver. This Pistol is unsurpassed for simplicity of construction, strength, and durability, every part being of the best material ; the barrel is of fine steel, carefully bored and rifled with the most improved machinery. Every Pistol being tested and sighted, and warranted to shoot equal to the best in the market. It is also-made to use barrels of different calibers of Rim or Center fire to same frame and action, thus giving one a number of different barrels to one stock. t or safety and speed in loading and clean- ing, effectiveness, and accuracy, it has no superior. It stands foremost as to symmet- rical model, style, and beauty of workmanship. Ask to see the " Wurflflein Pistol," and do not be put off by your dealer until you have seen it and become convinced of the above facts. It has no equal IM. WURFFLEIN, Patentee and Manufacturer, 208. North Second St., Phiiadeipiiia, Penn., U. S. A. LYTV^AN SIGHTS Lyman's Patent Ivory Shot Gun Sights. A New System of Sighting Shot Guns. Lyman's Patent Wind-gauge Sight. PRICE, $5.00. The Windage mechanism of this sight is very simple. Used without the large disk, the principle of this sight is the same as the Combination sight. Lyman's Patent Combination Rear Sight. Price of this sight, $3.00. These sights more than double the value of a rifle, either for hunting or target shooting, for instantaneous aim can be taken with great ace uracj^ KEDUCKD CUT. LYMAN'S PATENT Ivory Bead Front Sight. Ivory Hunting Front Sight. These sights can be seen dis- tinctly against any object in the woods or in the bright sunlight. Price, $1.00. Price, 50 ets. Lyman's Patent Ivory Combination Front Sight. This is an excellent sight for "all around" use. The cuts show the open ivory and the shaded globe. PRICE, Sl.OO. Lyman's Patent Ivory Revolver Sight. This is a great improvement over any revolver sight now in use. It is adapted to all revolvers having their sights pinned in the rib above the barrel. price, so cents. Address, WM. LYMAN, Middlefield, Conn., U. S. A. Jw^^ ,'; .'n ^':-''v/":|':!^'j:-;''' ■Jt'"';j' i:V-.' ;:'<', '•;'i '''^ : .r ','•:. .I'.l'.:,' . .^1^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 005 589 910 1