James Reid No.2 Revolver

Published on April 2, 2016
Duration: 9:45

This guide details the impractical cylinder removal process for the James Reid No. 2 Revolver, a 7-shot, .32 proprietary rimfire single-action revolver from the Civil War era. The video highlights a significant design flaw where the barrel must be partially unthreaded to free the cylinder for cleaning, a process requiring careful handling and specific tools. Expert analysis from Ian McCollum underscores the historical context of patent disputes and unique manufacturing methods of the period.

Quick Summary

The James Reid No. 2 Revolver, a Civil War-era firearm, suffers from a major design flaw: its cylinder requires the barrel to be partially unthreaded for removal, making cleaning impractical and risking thread damage. This 7-shot, .32 rimfire single-action revolver also featured a unique hidden loading gate and sheath trigger.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: James Reid No. 2 Revolver
  2. 01:11Patent Infringement & Marketing Strategy
  3. 02:58Model Variations Explained
  4. 03:27Mechanical Features: Loading Gate & Trigger
  5. 04:43Serial Numbers & Frame Design Evolution
  6. 06:32Design Flaw: Impractical Cylinder Removal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary design flaw of the James Reid No. 2 Revolver?

The most significant design flaw is the cylinder removal process. To clean the cylinder, the barrel must be partially unthreaded from the frame, a highly impractical method for a field weapon and prone to damaging threads if not done carefully.

How did James Reid avoid patent infringement with his revolvers?

James Reid produced revolvers with bored-through cylinders, which technically infringed on the Rollin White patent owned by Smith & Wesson. He avoided legal issues by not marking his firearms with his name and instead using sales agents' names, producing them in relatively small numbers.

What caliber and capacity does the James Reid No. 2 Revolver feature?

The James Reid No. 2 Revolver is chambered for a proprietary .32 caliber rimfire cartridge and has a cylinder capacity of 7 rounds. It also features a sheath trigger, typical for revolvers of that era.

What distinguishes the James Reid No. 2 Revolver's construction?

The No. 2 Revolver is a single-action firearm with a sheath trigger and a unique hidden loading gate. Its production era was the Civil War (1862-1864), and it was manufactured in New York City, often avoiding direct branding to circumvent patent issues.

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