Wesson & Leavitt Revolving Rifle

Published on September 2, 2015
Duration: 7:39

The Wesson & Leavitt Revolving Rifle, a rare 19th-century firearm, faced limited production due to a Colt patent infringement lawsuit. This led to design changes like manual indexing and a Maynard tape primer, making it less desirable. Practical design flaws, such as the cylinder gap and potential for chain fire, necessitated holding the rifle carefully to avoid injury.

Quick Summary

The Wesson & Leavitt Revolving Rifle is a rare 19th-century firearm, with production estimated between 16-50 units. Its rarity stems from a Colt patent infringement lawsuit in 1851, forcing design changes like manual indexing and a Maynard tape primer.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Wesson & Leavitt Revolving Rifle
  2. 00:31Historical Context & Rarity: Colt Patent Dispute
  3. 01:17Patent Infringement & Design Changes
  4. 02:27Practical Design Flaws: Cylinder Gap & Chain Fire
  5. 03:31Disassembly and Reloading Process
  6. 04:53Indexing Mechanism Explained
  7. 06:55Manufacturer and Caliber Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Wesson & Leavitt Revolving Rifle so rare?

The Wesson & Leavitt Revolving Rifle is extremely rare due to limited production, estimated between 16 to 50 units. A significant factor contributing to its scarcity was a patent infringement lawsuit filed by the Colt company in 1851.

What design changes were made to the Wesson & Leavitt Revolving Rifle after the Colt lawsuit?

Following the patent infringement lawsuit from Colt, Wesson & Leavitt had to alter the design. They implemented manual indexing for the cylinder and incorporated a Maynard tape primer, moving away from the automatic cylinder rotation patented by Colt.

What were the main safety concerns with the Wesson & Leavitt Revolving Rifle?

Like many revolving rifles of its era, the Wesson & Leavitt suffered from a significant cylinder gap. This gap posed a risk of 'chain fire,' where multiple chambers could ignite simultaneously, making it unsafe to hold the barrel with a forward hand.

Who manufactured the Wesson & Leavitt Revolving Rifle and in what caliber?

The Wesson & Leavitt Revolving Rifle was manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Company, located in Chicopee Falls. It was chambered in .40 caliber.

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