Terry's Breechloading Carbine: Used by Hussars and Confederates

Published on December 5, 2019
Duration: 7:52

The Terry Breechloading Carbine, patented in 1856, was a bolt-action capping breechloader adopted by the British 18th Hussars and used by Confederate figures like J.E.B. Stuart. It utilized paper cartridges with a felt wad for obturation. While around 20,000 were produced, its design proved difficult to adapt to metallic cartridges, leading to obsolescence.

Quick Summary

The Terry Breechloading Carbine, patented in 1856, was a bolt-action capping breechloader marked '30 Bore' (approx. .54 caliber). It used paper cartridges with a felt wad for obturation and was adopted by the British 18th Hussars and used by Confederate figures like J.E.B. Stuart.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Terry Breechloading Carbine
  2. 01:41Mechanical Operation: Bolt Action & Loading
  3. 03:51Markings and Caliber: 30 Bore Explained
  4. 04:33The Ridley Presentation Piece
  5. 06:09Production and Obsolescence

Frequently Asked Questions

What caliber was the Terry Breechloading Carbine?

The Terry Carbine was marked as '30 Bore,' which historically translates to approximately .54 caliber (.539"). This was a common caliber designation for firearms of that era.

How did the Terry Carbine achieve a gas seal?

It used paper cartridges with a thick, greased felt pad at the rear. This pad expanded upon firing to create a seal (obturation) against the breech, preventing gas leakage.

Who used the Terry Breechloading Carbine?

The British military adopted it for the 18th Hussars. It also saw service in colonies and was notably owned by Confederate leaders like J.E.B. Stuart and Jefferson Davis during the American Civil War.

Why did the Terry Carbine become obsolete?

Its design, particularly the side-loading window, was difficult to adapt for the emerging self-contained metallic cartridges. This, combined with the dominance of metallic cartridge systems, led to its rapid obsolescence.

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