Videos tagged with Jennings Rifle

This video details the history and mechanics of the Volcanic pistol, Smith & Wesson's precursor to their later iconic revolvers. It highlights the innovative but flawed 'Rocket Ball' ammunition and the transition of the company through Oliver Winchester to the development of the Henry Rifle. The Volcanic's toggle-link action is shown to be a direct ancestor to Winchester lever-actions.

This video delves into the Jennings repeating rifle from the early 1850s, highlighting its status as an early, but ultimately unsuccessful, attempt at a lever-action design. The rifle's unique rocket ball ammunition and pellet priming system proved problematic, leading to a commercial failure and discontinuation of its specialized ammo. Consequently, many Jennings rifles were converted into muzzleloaders, with the pellet priming system adapted for percussion caps and the magazine tube repurposed for a ramrod. This conversion, though defeating the repeating action, allowed the firearms to remain functional.