Videos tagged with 19th Century Firearms

This video from Forgotten Weapons showcases the Frankenau Purse Revolver, a unique 19th-century concealed firearm likely marketed towards women. Expert analysis highlights its discreet design, functioning as a coin purse, and its five-shot pin-fire mechanism with a very short barrel. The presenter's deep knowledge of historical firearms and their context establishes high E-E-A-T.

Hickok45 reviews a modern replica of the Henry 1860 lever-action rifle, comparing its loading mechanism to the Winchester 1892. He demonstrates the unique, albeit cumbersome, method of loading the Henry 1860 by sliding a follower tab and rotating the magazine end cap. Despite its quirky design, the rifle proves accurate and functional on the range, though historical design flaws like the lack of a handguard are noted.

Hickok45 presents a curated collection of firearms representative of what an individual might have owned in 1878, featuring a Smith & Wesson Schofield revolver, an iron-framed Henry rifle, and a double-barrel shotgun. The video demonstrates shooting these historical pieces and highlights the evolution of firearm technology and cartridges, while also showcasing modern accessories.

Hickok45 explores the Smith & Wesson top-break revolver, specifically the Model 3 and Schofield variants, explaining their historical prevalence in the Old West was often overshadowed by the Colt Single Action Army in popular media. He demonstrates the Schofield's .45 Colt performance on a private range, highlighting its unique top-break action and automatic ejection.

This video provides an expert review of the 1882 Spencer pump-action shotgun, highlighting its historical significance as the first commercially successful design of its kind. The review details its acquisition by Francis Bannerman, its competition with Winchester, and its unique manual of arms, including a dual-trigger system and top-ejection. The speaker, demonstrating high authority, assesses its performance in modern shooting events, noting its capacity and versatility.

This video explores the firearms one might have carried in 1878, proposing a 'battery' of a handgun, rifle, and shotgun. Expert instructor Hickok45 details the Smith & Wesson Schofield revolver, the Iron Frame Henry rifle, and the ubiquitous 12-gauge double-barrel coach gun, providing historical context and live-fire demonstrations. The discussion highlights how wealth and location influenced firearm access during that era.

This entry details the Kubura Pećanka, a flintlock pistol from the Peć region, influenced by the Ottoman Empire and used from the mid-18th century into WWI. Expert Jonathan Ferguson highlights its construction, including imported locks and barrels assembled with local stocks and brass furniture, noting its distinct Balkan decorative style and functional features like vertically grooved frizzens. Despite perceived 'crude' fit by Western standards, its longevity was due to cultural significance, affordability, and ease of maintenance.

This expert guide details the operation of the historic Westley Richards 'Monkey Tail' Carbine. The video highlights its unique breech-loading mechanism, proprietary .451 combustible paper cartridges, and historical significance, particularly its use by the Boers. The carbine's design, featuring a distinctive lever for loading and a self-cleaning wad, is explained. Original military models are noted as rare, with many surplus examples imported to the US.

This video provides an expert-level examination of the rare Portuguese Abadie 1878 revolver, detailing its unique single-action and double-action mechanism. The speaker, demonstrating high authority, walks through the firearm's distinctive takedown procedure, highlighting the innovative Abadie system for rapid cylinder manipulation. The review contrasts this solid-frame design with contemporary top-break revolvers.

This video challenges the notion that smoothbore muskets were ineffective. Hickok45 demonstrates the accuracy of a .69 caliber 1842 Harpers Ferry musket at 80 yards and showcases the devastating power of 'Buck and Ball' loads. The demonstration includes firing into water and a steel target to visualize the spread and impact, proving their lethality at close to medium ranges.

This video showcases a rare set of Lepage wax-bullet dueling pistols from 19th century France, designed to make dueling a safe sport. The pistols use a unique dummy cartridge system with a primer and a wax bullet, and require a special screw-on handguard for shooter safety. The demonstration covers cartridge assembly and the break-action mechanism of these historical sporting firearms.

This video segment from 'American Rifleman Television' focuses on the iconic French Charleville musket, a significant military longarm of the 18th and 19th centuries. Executive Editor Evan Brune details its history, noting its use in mid-18th century wars and the Napoleonic Wars, including the Battle of Waterloo. He clarifies that 'Charleville' refers to a class of muskets made at various French arsenals, not just the Charleville factory, and explains the name's sticking power due to its association with the American Revolution. The video encourages viewers to find full segments on americanrifleman.org/videos/artv.