Westley Richards Centerfire Monkey Tail Carbine

Published on April 18, 2022
Duration: 10:16

This review details the rare Westley Richards Centerfire Monkey Tail Carbine, a 19th-century breechloader that used combustible paper cartridges. Originally a capping breech loader, this centerfire variant offered improved speed and reliability for frontier use without metallic cases. Despite its innovative design and historical significance, including use by the Boers, its development ended due to rust issues in trials for metallic cartridges.

Quick Summary

The Westley Richards Monkey Tail Carbine is a rare 19th-century breechloader, named for its long top lever. This centerfire variant used combustible paper cartridges, offering speed for frontier use without metallic cases. It was chambered in .450 caliber and featured a unique gas sealing mechanism.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Westley Richards Monkey Tail Carbine
  2. 00:35History and Development of the System
  3. 01:44Military Use and Frontier Advantages
  4. 02:43Mechanical Operation and Firing Pin
  5. 03:45Cartridge Design and Gas Sealing
  6. 05:45Markings and Rifling: Westley Richards & Whitworth
  7. 06:58Technical Specifications and Rarity
  8. 08:53Final Developments and Trials Failure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Westley Richards Monkey Tail Carbine?

The Westley Richards Monkey Tail Carbine is a 19th-century breech-loading rifle, notable for its unique 'monkey tail' lever action. This rare centerfire version uses combustible paper cartridges, offering speed for its time without metallic cases.

Why is the Monkey Tail Carbine called that?

The carbine earned the nickname 'Monkey Tail' due to the distinctive, long lever mechanism on top of the action, which is used to operate the breech for loading and firing.

What caliber is the Westley Richards Monkey Tail Carbine?

This specific Westley Richards Centerfire Monkey Tail Carbine is chambered in .450 caliber. It features a 24-inch barrel and was designed for use with paper cartridges.

What made the Monkey Tail Carbine suitable for frontier use?

Its breech-loading design offered speed, and crucially, it used combustible paper cartridges. This avoided the need for expensive metallic cases, making it practical for frontier areas where components like percussion caps and lead were more accessible.

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