Colette Gravity Pistol

Published on September 1, 2015
Duration: 6:09

The Colette Gravity Pistol, patented between 1850-1854, is a unique 11mm sporting pistol that utilizes a gravity-fed mechanism for its 20-round capacity. It fires caseless 'rocket ball' cartridges, making it a low-noise, low-recoil firearm ideal for recreational shooting. The pistol's design, developed by Herman Jean Nicholas and manufactured by Colette, relies on tilting the muzzle to load cartridges into the breech.

Quick Summary

The Colette Gravity Pistol is a unique 19th-century firearm featuring a gravity-fed mechanism and firing caseless 11mm 'rocket ball' ammunition. It holds up to 20 rounds and was designed for recreational shooting due to its low noise and recoil.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Colette Gravity Pistol
  2. 01:08Purpose and Rocket Ball Ammunition
  3. 01:52Loading the 20-Round Magazine
  4. 02:14Gravity Feed Mechanical Operation
  5. 03:56Reloading and Cleaning Features
  6. 05:05Manufacturer and Inventor Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Colette Gravity Pistol unique?

The Colette Gravity Pistol is unique due to its entirely gravity-fed mechanism for loading, eliminating the need for a traditional magazine spring. It also fires caseless 'rocket ball' ammunition, which contains its own propellant and primer.

How is the Colette Gravity Pistol loaded?

To load the Colette Gravity Pistol, a cap at the muzzle is opened, allowing up to 20 caseless cartridges to be dropped into a magazine tube. The breech block is then lifted at half-cock, and tilting the muzzle allows a cartridge to fall into the breech via gravity.

What type of ammunition does the Colette Gravity Pistol use?

It uses an 11mm 'rocket ball' style projectile. This is a caseless cartridge where the powder and primer are integrated into the base of the projectile, similar to early Volcanic ammunition.

Who invented and manufactured the Colette Gravity Pistol?

The Colette Gravity Pistol was patented by Herman Jean Nicholas, an employee of the Colette company. The pistol itself is marked 'Colette Brevete,' indicating its manufacturer.

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