The Butterfield Army Revolver and its Automatic Priming

Published on October 30, 2017
Duration: 8:48

This guide details the operation and disassembly of the rare Butterfield Army Revolver, focusing on its innovative automatic pellet priming system. Expert Ian McCollum demonstrates the mechanism, its advantages in preventing jams, and its disadvantages regarding primer fragility and water resistance. The video also covers the revolver's basic specifications, patent markings, and historical production context, highlighting its significance as a collector's item due to limited production runs.

Quick Summary

The Butterfield Army Revolver features a unique automatic priming system patented by Jesse Butterfield in 1855. This system used pellet primers fed from a magazine, automatically positioning them for firing and preventing jams. While innovative, the pellets were less reliable in field conditions due to fragility and lack of waterproofing.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Butterfield Revolver
  2. 00:33Basic Specifications and Patent
  3. 00:50Automatic Priming System
  4. 01:23Pros and Cons of the System
  5. 02:12Design and Markings
  6. 02:54Operation and Loading
  7. 04:54Sights and Sight Picture
  8. 05:33Internal Disassembly
  9. 07:34Historical Context and Production

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most unique feature of the Butterfield Army Revolver?

The most unique feature of the Butterfield Army Revolver is its automatic priming system. Instead of manual percussion caps, it uses a magazine of pellet or wafer primers that automatically feed over the nipple when the hammer is cocked.

What were the advantages and disadvantages of the Butterfield Army Revolver's priming system?

The automatic priming system prevented jams from spent caps and saved the user from manual capping. However, the primer pellets were more fragile and not waterproof, making them less reliable in field conditions.

What is the historical significance of the Butterfield Army Revolver?

The Butterfield Army Revolver is significant as a rare, secondary martial firearm from the Civil War era. Only 640 units were produced under a contract for the Ira Harris Guards, making it a valuable collector's item.

Who patented the Butterfield Army Revolver's automatic priming system?

The automatic priming system for the Butterfield Army Revolver was patented by Jesse Butterfield of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 11, 1855.

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