Colt 1855 Revolving Rifle at the Range

Published on December 20, 2020
Duration: 5:19

This video tests a rare .36 caliber Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle, highlighting its historical significance as the first repeating firearm adopted by the US military. It details safety concerns like chain fire and gas splatter, emphasizing proper hand placement. The test also reveals issues with modern percussion caps not sealing properly on British-proofed nipples, causing 'spackling'.

Quick Summary

The Colt 1855 Revolving Rifle poses safety risks like chain fire and gas splatter. Shooters must keep their support hand behind the cylinder. Issues with oversized nipples on British-proofed models can cause 'spackling' due to poor percussion cap seals.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Colt 1855 Revolving Rifle
  2. 01:01Safety: Chain Fire Risks
  3. 02:31Technical: Percussion Caps & Proofing
  4. 03:36History & Performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main safety concerns when firing a Colt 1855 Revolving Rifle?

The primary safety concerns are 'chain fire,' where multiple chambers ignite at once, and gas/lead splatter from the cylinder gap. Shooters must keep their support hand behind the cylinder, not in front, to avoid injury.

Why did the Colt 1855 rifle experience 'spackling' during the range test?

The 'spackling' was caused by oversized percussion cap nipples on this British-proofed rifle. Modern percussion caps did not create a proper seal, leading to gas leakage around the nipples when fired.

What historical significance does the Colt 1855 Revolving Rifle hold?

The Colt 1855 Revolving Rifle is historically significant as it was the first repeating firearm adopted by the U.S. military, offering a six-shot capacity at a time when most firearms were single-shot.

What powder charge was used for the Colt 1855 during the range test?

To be gentle on the antique firearm, the test used conservative powder charges, typically between 25 and 30 grains.

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