I Have This Old Gun: Westley Richards "Monkey Tail" Carbine

Published on December 31, 2025
Duration: 5:08

This video provides an expert look at the Westley Richards 'Monkey Tail' Carbine, a unique single-shot breech-loading rifle. It details the firearm's history, its distinctive mechanism, and its use by various historical groups, including the Boers in South Africa. The content highlights its collector market appeal and historical significance.

Quick Summary

The Westley Richards 'Monkey Tail' Carbine is a historical single-shot, breech-loading rifle chambered in .451 caliber. It features a unique lever action for loading combustible paper cartridges, which include a felt wad for breech sealing and bore cleaning. Many were used by the Boers in South Africa and are now collector's items.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Westley Richards
  2. 00:33Monkey Tail Design and Mechanism
  3. 01:09Cartridge and Operation
  4. 02:50Historical Usage
  5. 04:09Collector Market and Rarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Westley Richards 'Monkey Tail' Carbine?

The Westley Richards 'Monkey Tail' Carbine is a single-shot, breech-loading rifle known for its distinctive lever action that exposes the breech for loading. It fires a .451 caliber combustible paper cartridge and has a significant history, particularly with the Boers in South Africa.

How does the 'Monkey Tail' Carbine load and operate?

It operates as a single-shot, breech-loading firearm. A lever on the carbine lifts to open the breech, allowing for the insertion of a .451 caliber combustible paper cartridge. The cartridge's felt wad aids in sealing the breech and cleaning the bore.

Where was the Westley Richards 'Monkey Tail' Carbine historically used?

While intended for the British military, many Westley Richards 'Monkey Tail' Carbines were sold to Portugal and saw significant use by the Boers in South Africa during the First Anglo-Boer War. Many surplus models were later imported to the US.

What is notable about the .451 caliber cartridge used in the 'Monkey Tail' Carbine?

The .451 caliber cartridge for the 'Monkey Tail' Carbine is made of combustible paper and features a felt wad. This wad is crucial for sealing the breech upon firing and also helps to clean the bore as the next round is loaded.

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