Videos tagged with Breechloader

The Fenian Needham Conversion transformed muzzle-loading muskets into breech-loading cartridge rifles for the Fenian Brotherhood's attempts to invade Canada. Developed at the Pioneer Arms Factory, these conversions featured a side-pivoting breech block and were chambered for .58 centerfire, with loose tolerances allowing .577 Snider ammunition. Despite their modernization efforts, the conversions suffered from extraction issues, contributing to the failure of the 1870 invasion.

This video segment from "American Rifleman Television" focuses on the Gallager carbine, a lesser-known but historically significant firearm used by Union cavalry during the American Civil War. It details the carbine's design as a .52-caliber single-shot breechloader, its innovative but flawed extraction mechanism, and its evolution with the addition of an extractor and ability to fire metallic cartridges. The video also mentions its use by the French Empire during the Franco-Prussian War, highlighting its intermediate position between muzzleloaders and fully self-contained metallic cartridge arms.

This video segment from "American Rifleman Television" focuses on the Burnside carbine, a significant firearm used by cavalry during the American Civil War. It explores the carbine's unique breech-loading design, its inventor Ambrose Burnside's multifaceted career (including his role in the NRA's founding), and its historical context as the third most popular cavalry carbine of the war, trailing the Sharps and Spencer. The discussion highlights the rapid pace of firearm development during the era, rendering the Burnside technologically obsolete within a decade. Despite its eventual limitations and the Burnside Company's bankruptcy, the carbine is recognized as an important step in firearm evolution.

This video explores a rare 'Watkin-Patent' variant of the Martini-Henry rifle, a historically significant British firearm. Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson details the development of this thumb-trigger configuration, which was an attempt to improve the breechloader for target shooters and hunters. Despite 40 units being produced, the design ultimately did not progress. The video links to the Royal Armouries collection, a book on the Martini-Henry, and other relevant resources.

This American Rifleman Television segment explores the fascinating Terry Carbine, an early breechloading bolt-action rifle patented by William Terry in 1856. The video highlights its innovative turn-bolt action with locking lugs, its use of a unique paper-wrapped cartridge ignited by percussion caps, and its rudimentary gas seal mechanism. It details the carbine's service with the British military's 18th Hussars and its presence in the American Civil War, notably used by Confederate figures like J.E.B. Stuart and found in Jefferson Davis's baggage. The description also touches on its commercial variants and why it ultimately failed to transition to the metallic cartridge era due to its loading port design and inability to easily eject spent cases.

This review details the rare Westley Richards Centerfire Monkey Tail Carbine, a 19th-century breechloader that used combustible paper cartridges. Originally a capping breech loader, this centerfire variant offered improved speed and reliability for frontier use without metallic cases. Despite its innovative design and historical significance, including use by the Boers, its development ended due to rust issues in trials for metallic cartridges.

This video details a rare Confederate Gillam & Miller musket transformed into a Remington Rolling Block breechloader. The conversion involved sleeving the barrel from .577 caliber to .52, likely for the .52 Spencer rimfire cartridge. Distinctive brass furniture, including a riveted nose cap, confirms its Gillam & Miller origin, suggesting a post-war civilian adaptation.

This episode of American Rifleman TV covers foundational shooting skills, including eye dominance and proper grip, with NRA Training Counselor Larry Quandahl. It features a review of the new Walther PDP Performance Duty Pistol, highlighting its improvements over the PPQ. The "I Have This Old Gun" segment delves into the history of the French "Tabatiere," a long-serving breechloader with origins possibly in the Napoleonic era, which evolved from flintlock to percussion and eventually to a breechloader. The video also provides details on where to watch full episodes and tune in for new ones.

This video traces the evolution of the deer rifle from early muzzleloaders to modern semi-automatics. It highlights key technological advancements like the flintlock, breechloader, and smokeless powder cartridges, and how these innovations, driven by hunting needs, shaped firearm design. Expert insights from firearms historians and editors underscore the reciprocal relationship between technology and the pursuit of game.

This review delves into the rare System Kuhn single-shot breech-loading rifle from the 1870s/1880s. It highlights the rifle's unique two-trigger system for operation and safety, automatic case ejection, and robust internal mechanism. The analysis covers its 11mm black powder caliber, adjustable target sights, and origin from Besançon, France, suggesting a sporting or target shooting purpose.

The 1854 Treuille de Beaulieu is a rare open-bolt pinfire carbine designed for Napoleon III's elite Cent-Gardes. It features a unique falling block action where the trigger guard acts as the firing spring and the 'trigger' is a cocking lever. Despite its advanced cartridge system for the era, it suffered from typical black powder fouling issues.

The Arcelin Mousqueton was an experimental 1850s French bolt-action breechloader designed for cavalry, utilizing paper cartridges and percussion ignition. Despite its innovative design, it suffered from significant fouling issues due to poor gas obturation, leading to difficult operation and potential breakage. The Cent-Gardes variant featured an unusually large saber bayonet intended for anti-cavalry defense.