Short: Revolvers with Manual Safeties

Published on June 21, 2018
Duration: 3:32

This video from Forgotten Weapons delves into the often-overlooked feature of manual safeties on revolvers, showcasing historical examples like the Reichsrevolver 1883, Russo Chinois 1912, and Webley Fosbury. The expert instructor highlights how these safeties functioned differently from modern designs, often preventing hammer cocking or double-action firing, and were more common on civilian and police models than often depicted.

Quick Summary

Historical revolvers often featured manual safeties that prevented hammer cocking or double-action firing, functioning differently from modern designs. These safeties were common on civilian and police models from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, with some operating in reverse (up is safe, down is fire).

Chapters

  1. 00:09Revolvers with Manual Safeties Overview
  2. 00:33Reichsrevolver Model 1883
  3. 00:57Spanish Russo Chinois Model 1912
  4. 01:3819th/20th Century Revolvers with Safeties
  5. 01:57Safety Function on .380 Revolver
  6. 02:23Belgian Pocket Carry Revolver
  7. 02:40Safety Lever Operation
  8. 03:09Webley Fosbury Automatic Revolver

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a manual safety on a revolver?

A manual safety on a revolver is a physical mechanism designed to prevent accidental firing. Unlike many modern revolvers, historical models often featured safeties that blocked the hammer from being cocked or prevented double-action firing, sometimes operating in reverse to modern 'up is fire' standards.

Were manual safeties common on historical revolvers?

Yes, manual safeties were more common on civilian and police revolvers from the late 19th to early 20th centuries than often depicted in fiction. Examples include the Reichsrevolver 1883 and the Russo Chinois 1912.

How did historical revolver safeties differ from modern ones?

Historical revolver safeties often functioned differently, typically preventing hammer cocking or double-action fire. Furthermore, their operation was frequently reversed, with the 'up' position engaging the safety and 'down' being the fire position.

What is the Webley Fosbury revolver?

The Webley Fosbury is an automatic revolver that featured a safety catch. It gained notoriety partly due to its appearance in the classic film 'The Maltese Falcon,' showcasing another example of a historical firearm with a manual safety mechanism.

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