Q&A #6: Rollin White and Other (Better) Designers

Published on June 28, 2016
Duration: 48:03

This Q&A delves into the history of firearms design, starting with Rollin White's flawed bored-through cylinder patent and its eventual adoption by Smith & Wesson. It explores the decline of pan-fed machine guns, the reasons behind rounded pistol bullets, and the failure of experimental cartridges like Gyrojet due to cost vs. benefit. The discussion also touches on the US MHS competition, underappreciated designers, the impact of import marks, soldier field modifications, caliber comparisons (.30-06 vs. 7.62 NATO), and the future of 'junk' firearms as collectibles.

Quick Summary

Rollin White's 1855 patent for a bored-through cylinder was flawed due to a lack of breech seal, causing gas blowouts. Pan-fed machine guns declined due to awkwardness, and pistols use rounded bullets for short-range efficiency. Experimental cartridges failed due to high costs vs. marginal benefits.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Patreon Thanks
  2. 01:05Rollin White's Bored-Through Cylinder
  3. 07:08Pan-Fed Machine Guns Explained
  4. 10:12Why Rounded Pistol Bullets?
  5. 13:22Experimental Cartridges (Gyrojet, Trounds)
  6. 17:46US Military MHS Competition
  7. 19:56Underappreciated Firearms Designers
  8. 27:02The Impact of Import Marks
  9. 31:17Soldier Field Modifications
  10. 35:277.62 NATO vs .30-06
  11. 38:04Future Forgotten Weapons
  12. 41:17Japanese WWII Firearms & Ammo
  13. 46:38Handling Weapons with Gloves
  14. 48:03Austro-Hungarian WWI Machine Guns

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main flaw in Rollin White's original bored-through cylinder patent?

Rollin White's 1855 patent for a bored-through cylinder was intended for paper cartridges but lacked a proper breech seal. This fundamental design flaw led to gas blowouts upon firing, making it unworkable for reliable firearm operation.

Why did pan-fed machine guns become less common than belt-fed systems?

Pan-fed machine guns, while offering higher capacity than early box magazines, were generally more awkward to carry and store. Belt-fed systems eventually provided superior capacity combined with better portability and handling characteristics for military use.

Why do pistols still use rounded bullets instead of pointed ones like rifles?

Pistols typically operate at shorter ranges where the aerodynamic benefits of pointed (spitzer) bullets are minimal. Rounded bullets are sufficient for subsonic pistol velocities and allow for more bullet mass within the same cartridge length, improving terminal performance.

What makes certain 'junk' firearms become future collectibles?

Firearms that were initially considered failures, had unique design flaws, or were produced in very low numbers can become desirable collectibles over time. Their rarity and the stories behind their shortcomings contribute to their historical interest.

Related News

All News →

More General Videos You Might Like

More from Forgotten Weapons

View all →