Colt Franklin: Detachable 9-Round Magazine of .45-70 in 1884

Published on April 11, 2020
Duration: 8:10

The Colt Franklin, patented in 1884, was a unique bolt-action rifle chambered in .45-70, featuring a 9-round detachable hopper magazine designed by General William Franklin. Despite passing US Army and Navy trials with high reliability, only 50 were produced, and they were not adopted, likely due to concerns about the external magazine's durability. The rifle's design incorporated innovative feeding mechanisms and a bottom ejection system.

Quick Summary

The Colt Franklin rifle, patented in 1884, was a rare .45-70 bolt-action firearm featuring a unique 9-round detachable gravity-fed hopper magazine. Despite passing military trials, only 50 were made, likely due to concerns about the external magazine's field durability.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Colt Franklin
  2. 01:14Magazine Design and Operation
  3. 02:43Feeding and Ejection Mechanism
  4. 04:46Magazine Cutoff and Sights
  5. 06:05Trial History and Rarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What was unique about the Colt Franklin rifle's magazine?

The Colt Franklin featured a 9-round detachable hopper magazine. Unlike typical spring-loaded magazines, it was gravity-fed and offset to the left to allow for center-line sights.

Why wasn't the Colt Franklin rifle adopted by the US military?

Although it performed reliably in trials, the military likely did not adopt the Colt Franklin due to concerns about the external hopper magazine's durability and fragility in field conditions.

What caliber was the Colt Franklin rifle chambered in?

The Colt Franklin rifle was chambered in the powerful .45-70 cartridge, a common caliber for military firearms during that era.

How many Colt Franklin rifles were produced?

Only 50 Colt Franklin rifles were ever produced. These were manufactured specifically for military trials conducted by the US Army and Navy in the late 1880s.

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