Clips: Spirlet Revolver Breakdown

Published on August 27, 2021
Duration: 9:47

This guide details the advanced disassembly of a Belgian Spirlet revolver, a unique 1870s bottom-break design. It highlights the specialized bottom-break mechanism, the safety feature preventing closure on a cocked hammer, and an intricate internal lockwork. The process involves a hidden lever to de-tension springs, allowing for the removal of numbered components like the hammer, sear, trigger, hand, and overarching arm, revealing an unusual undersprung hammer configuration.

Quick Summary

The Belgian Spirlet revolver features a unique bottom-break action activated by a button and hinge, differing from common top-break designs. A key safety feature cams the hammer to a rebounded position when opening, preventing accidental discharge upon closing. Advanced disassembly involves a hidden lever to de-tension springs for component removal, revealing an unusual undersprung hammer.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Spirlet Revolver
  2. 00:03Clips: Spirlet Revolver Breakdown
  3. 00:07Revolver 101 Special Episode Context
  4. 00:19Funky 1870s Belgian Commercial Job
  5. 00:30Single and Double Action Operation
  6. 00:49Bottom-Break Hinge and Button Mechanism
  7. 00:58Ejecting Cartridges with Plunger
  8. 01:18Planed Wedge and Tapered Wedge Block
  9. 01:30Central Arbor Stud and Cylinder Support
  10. 01:36Non-Automatically Rebounding Hammer
  11. 01:49Hammer Rebound for Cylinder Rotation
  12. 01:57Preventing Closure on Hammer
  13. 02:03Extra Button for Deep Action Access
  14. 02:19Opening the Action via Trigger Guard
  15. 02:32Internal Lockwork Examination
  16. 02:51Hammer Spring and Secondary Spring
  17. 03:02Mariette Style Lockwork and Sear
  18. 03:17Hidden Lever for Spring Tension Release
  19. 03:43Compressing and Locking Springs
  20. 03:54Numbered Parts for Reassembly
  21. 04:24Undersprung Hammer Design
  22. 04:47Threaded Hole Under Pommel Mystery
  23. 04:58Reassembly and Reloading Demonstration
  24. 05:04Applying Knowledge to Reloading
  25. 05:16Bottom-Break Reloading Technique
  26. 05:32Ejecting and Reloading Snap Caps
  27. 05:44Closing the Gun and Back in Business
  28. 05:56Further Learning: Revolver 101 Episode
  29. 06:09Conclusion and Next Time

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Spirlet revolver's break-action unique?

The Spirlet revolver features a distinctive bottom-break action, unlike the more common top-break designs. It utilizes a hinge and a release button to pivot the barrel and cylinder assembly downwards, allowing for easier access to the cylinder for ejection and reloading.

How does the Spirlet revolver prevent accidental firing when closing the action?

A clever safety mechanism is integrated into the hinge. As the action is opened, it cams the hammer into a fully rebounded position. This ensures that when the action is closed, the hammer cannot strike a primer, preventing accidental discharge.

What is the purpose of the hidden lever under the trigger guard?

This lever is part of an advanced disassembly procedure. When the hammer is cocked, rotating this lever compresses and locks the mainspring and hand spring. This de-tensions the internal mechanism, allowing for safer and easier removal of components like the hammer and sear.

What is notable about the hammer design in this Spirlet revolver?

The Spirlet revolver features an unusual 'undersprung' hammer. The hammer itself is notched to accept a stirrup, which is directly attached to the mainspring. This is a less common configuration compared to typical revolver hammer designs.

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