Springfield Arms Double Trigger Navy Revolver

Published on March 6, 2019
Duration: 8:55

This video provides an expert-level overview of the rare Springfield Arms Double Trigger Navy Revolver, a .36 caliber percussion pistol produced briefly in the early 1850s. Ian McCollum details its unique double-trigger system designed to circumvent Colt's patents, its safety features like the rest notch, and a straightforward field-stripping procedure. The rarity is emphasized, with only about 250 produced in total.

Quick Summary

The Springfield Arms Double Trigger Navy Revolver, a .36 caliber percussion pistol, featured a unique double-trigger system to bypass Colt's patents. Produced briefly in 1850-1851, only about 125 double-trigger models exist, making them rare historical firearms.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Springfield Arms & Colt Patent Wars
  2. 01:45Physical Overview: .36 Caliber Navy Model
  3. 03:03Unique Double Trigger Mechanism Explained
  4. 04:15Safety Features: Cylinder Rest Notch
  5. 05:30Field Stripping and Internal Mechanics
  6. 07:36Production Numbers and Rarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the Springfield Arms Double Trigger Navy Revolver unique?

Its primary uniqueness stemmed from its double-trigger mechanism, ingeniously designed by James Warner to circumvent Samuel Colt's firearm patents. This allowed Springfield Arms to produce revolvers during a period when Colt held significant patent control over firearm designs.

Why was the Springfield Arms Company short-lived?

The Springfield Arms Company operated only briefly in 1850-1851. Its existence was cut short when it was sued by Colt's Patent Firearm Manufacturing Company for infringing on existing patents, leading to its closure.

What does the '.36 caliber Navy' designation mean for this revolver?

In the mid-19th century firearm naming conventions, the term 'Navy' typically indicated a .36 caliber. This distinguished it from the larger 'Army' models, which were usually chambered in .44 caliber, reflecting their intended use and size.

How rare are the Springfield Arms Double Trigger Navy Revolvers today?

These revolvers are considered quite rare. Springfield Arms produced approximately 250 total, with only about 125 being the double-trigger variant. They are now highly sought after as secondary US martial pistols.

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