The downright dirty duelling pistols for cheaters with firearms and weapon expert Jonathan Ferguson

Published on August 23, 2023
Duration: 11:59

Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries, provides an expert overview of duelling pistols, focusing on their historical context, design nuances, and the deceptive practice of 'French rifling.' He highlights that many were status symbols, and the term 'duelling pistol' evolved over time.

Quick Summary

Expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries explains that 'French rifling' in duelling pistols involved hidden internal rifling with a smooth muzzle for deceptive accuracy. He also notes many were status symbols, not solely for duels, with their term gaining traction around 1785.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Duelling Pistols
  2. 01:40The SUV Analogy
  3. 02:40Hidden Rifling and Cheating
  4. 05:15French Rifling Explained
  5. 10:10Mortimer & Son Technical Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'French rifling' in historical firearms?

'French rifling' is a deceptive technique where a duelling pistol's barrel has hidden internal rifling, with the first inch of the muzzle appearing smooth. This provided an accuracy advantage while seemingly adhering to rules against rifled barrels for fairness in duels.

Were duelling pistols primarily used for actual duels?

Not always. Expert Jonathan Ferguson notes that many duelling pistols were purchased as status symbols or fashion statements, much like modern high-end vehicles. Their utility for actual duels was often secondary to their appearance and maker's reputation.

How can one identify the era of historical duelling pistols like the Mortimer & Son example?

Identifying the era often involves examining the maker's address (e.g., '89 Fleet St London' for Mortimer & Son) and the ignition system. Percussion ignition, as seen on the c. 1820-1822 Mortimer & Son pistols, became commercially available around that time.

What was the purpose of hidden rifling in duelling pistols?

Hidden rifling, often called 'scratch' or 'French' rifling, was used to give the shooter an unfair accuracy advantage. Rules for duels often forbade rifled barrels for fairness, so makers concealed the rifling to bypass these regulations.

More General Videos You Might Like

More from Royal Armouries

View all →