THE COLT’S REVOLVER.
The armory of the Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company is located at Hartford, Conn., and here are manufactured the famous Colt’s revolvers, so favorably known throughout the world. Samuel Colt, the inventor of the Colt’s revolver, commenced devising the mechanism of this arm as early as 1830, and the result of his ingenuity and skill is the large plant at Hartford, where the Colt’s revolver has been manufactured in enormous quantities for half a century, during which time improvements have been made: and the popularity which the Colt’s revolver has secured is attested by the enormous sales in all parts of the world. The variety of revolvers made by this company are as follows:—
New Model Army, single action: length of pistol, 12½ inches: length of barrel, 7½ inches: bore or calibre, .45 inch; weight, 2 lbs. 5 oz. Rifling, six grooves, one revolution in 16 inches; depth of groove, .005 inch. Six-shot.
Cartridge.—Weight of powder, 30 grains; weight of lead, 250 grains. Central fire, external priming.
New Model Army, double action: length ofpistol, 12½ inches; length of barrel, 7½ inches; weight of pistol with 7½-inch barrel, 2 lbs. 7 oz.; calibre, .45 inch; six-shot. Made with barrels of any length, and for the U.S. regulation cartridge, or the .44-calibre magazine rifle-cartridge. Revolvers taking the latter cartridge are known as the Frontier model.
New Model, .41, double-action weight; central fire; calibre, .41; six-shot. Length of barrels, 4½, 5, and 6 inches.
New Model, .38, double action; central fire; calibre, .38; six-shot. Length of barrels, 2½, 3½, 6, and 7 inches.
New Police, .38, single action; central fire; calibre, .38; six-shot. Length of barrels, 4½, 5, and 6 inches.
New target-revolver, in .38 and .32 calibre, made in the Army model frame.
Pocket-revolvers, in calibres .22, .30, .32, .38, and .41, with 2-inch barrels.
The above models, we believe, represent the various models made at the Colt’s armory at the time of writing, but there will be found in use many Colt’s revolvers made up differently than those mentioned. There are thousands of the old model Army and Navy revolvers in existence to-day which load at the muzzle of the cylinder, also the .38 calibre. Many of these have been altered to breech-loaders, to shoot the central-fire cartridges, and are accurate and fine shooting arms. Thereare also in use, in the old and new models, Colt’s revolvers with various lengths of barrels and odd calibres, to suit the whims and fancies of individuals requiring a revolver for a particular kind of work; revolvers in single action of various calibres, without a trigger, and fired by drawing back the hammer with the thumb, and releasing it as well as by pressing back the hammer with the left hand, and releasing it with the object of discharging the arm more rapidly than it could by checking the revolver; Army and Frontier models with very short barrels, for parties desiring the most powerful revolver made in the most compact form, suitable for short range only, and sacrificing accuracy. These special revolvers will be referred to later under another department, and the present chapter devoted to the standard models of the Colt’s revolver manufactured to-day. The Colt’s revolvers differ from those previously described in the following points, viz.:—
The hand, or finger, or pawl, which revolves the cylinder, has two points, one above the other. The upper engages the ratchet of the cylinder when the revolution begins. But before the necessary sixth of a revolution could be made, as the pawl moves in a plane, and the ratchet tooth in the arc of a circle whose plane is perpendicular to the pawl’s plane of motion, the pawl would lose its hold on the tooth, and the revolution of the cylinder would stop. To prevent this, the secondpoint is added, and just as the first point will disengage from the ratchet, the second or lower point engages another tooth of the ratchet and completes the revolution. By this arrangement the pawl actuates a larger ratchet than it could otherwise, and therefore exerts more force upon the cylinder, by acting upon a longer lever-arm. This permits a smaller-sized cylinder for the same diameter of ratchet.
The cylinder has a bushing, which projects in front of it, and gives three surfaces upon which the cylinder revolves, thus diminishing the chance of sticking from dirt or rust, and also giving a very small axis upon which to revolve, decreasing the moment of friction.
When the ejector is used it springs back to its place and is ready for use again, avoiding the necessity of putting it back.
To take apart the Revolver.—Half-cock the revolver, loosen the catch-screw which holds the centre-pin, draw out the centre-pin, open the gate, and the cylinder can then be withdrawn.
To remove the ejector, turn out the ejector tube screw, then push the front end away from the barrel and pull it towards the muzzle. The barrel can then be unscrewed.
The stock can be removed by turning out the two screws just behind the hammer, and that at the bottom of the strap. All the parts of the lock are then displayed, and can be readily separated.
The cylinder bushing should be pushed out for cleaning.
To remove the gate, turn out a screw in the lower side of the frame (hidden by the trigger-guard), then the gate-spring and catch can be withdrawn, and the gate can be pushed out. The best sperm-oil should be used for oiling the parts.
To Load the Arm.—1st motion: holding the revolver in the left hand, muzzle downwards, half-cock it with the right hand and open the gate. 2d motion: insert the cartridges in succession with the right hand, close the gate, cock and fire it (taking it in the right hand), or bring the hammer to the safety-notch, as may be desired.
To Eject the Cartridge Shells.—1st motion: holding the arm in the left hand, half-cock with the right hand and open the gate. 2d motion: eject the shells in succession with the ejector pushed by the right hand, moving the cylinder with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. When the shells have been ejected, the pistol is ready for the 2d motion of loading.
There are three notches in the hammer of this arm. The first is the safety-notch, the second is the half-cock notch, and the third is the cock-notch. The pistol cannot be fired when the hammer rests in the safety-notch or half-cock notch, and can be fired by pulling the trigger when the hammer rests in the cock-notch. The pistolshould be carried habitually with the hammer resting in the safety-notch.
COLT’S .38-CALIBRE, DOUBLE ACTION.
There will always be a class of revolver-shooters who will prefer an arm with a solid frame. These persons will unhesitatingly select the Colt’s revolver. The strength of this arm is undoubted, and it is believed that an unbiassed judge would award the claim of superiority in standing rough usage to the Colt’s revolver. The author has devoted much time to testing the Smith & Wesson, the Merwin, Hulbert, & Co., and the Colt’s revolvers, and has for several years corresponded with experts, and observed the shooting and solicited the opinion of persons who have had extensive experience with these arms. A careful summarizing the opinions shows that a majority of revolver experts believe that the Colt’s revolver is not made with such delicacy of parts as the other arms mentioned; but it is evident that this very want of delicacy of the parts is much in favor of its adoption by those desiring a revolver powerful, accurate, and less affected by exposure to the elements, neglect of care after using, and requiring less attention while using. It is believed that more shots can be fired from the Colt’s revolver without cleaning, and have it work well, than any other revolver of American make; and it certainly can more than the other two makes, judging from our own experience. But with the cleaning found necessary to secure accuracy even with this arm,it seems to require less cleaning than other revolvers; and accurate shooting has been secured repeatedly, even after firing a hundred shots, by simply swabbing out the barrel with a brush or cleaning-rod with a cloth drawn through a slot, and without removing the cylinder, which worked well after firing two hundred shots. The combined points of the solid frame and the arm being unaffected, so far as operating it is concerned, by neglecting to clean it while using or afterwards, has made the Colt’s revolver the chosen arm of many frontiersmen, and, doubtless, has influenced the members of the Government Ordnance Board to favor this arm.
COLT’S FRONTIER MODEL AND ARMY, DOUBLE ACTION.
COLT’S FRONTIER OR ARMY MODEL, SINGLE ACTION.
It is doubtless true that if several battalions of cavalry were armed with the revolvers of different make, the one equipped with the Colt’s revolver would find less disabled arms, after a rough campaign, than those armed with other American revolvers.
The Army .45 calibre and Frontier model .44 calibre are identical in the model, the difference being in the calibre and chambering. The U.S. Government .45-calibre straight cartridge is loaded with 30 grains of powder and a 250-grain bullet. The .44-calibre Frontier model takes a magazine rifle-cartridge holding 40 grains of powder and a 200-grain bullet. Both these cartridges are powerful and accurate. There is an apparent difference in the recoil, it being lessin the .44-calibre rifle-cartridges, the 50 grains more of lead in the .45-calibre Government cartridge being noticeable by the increased recoil. In a number of tests made with these two cartridges the best results were generally secured with the .44-calibre rifle-cartridge, taking six shots for a standard, it being the number of chambers in these revolvers. It was not difficult to place the six shots in a 5-inch circle at a distance of fifty yards, and often a 4-inch circle, and occasionally, with the .44-calibre 40-200 cartridge, a 3-inch circle would touch or enclose all of the shots.
The .41-.38-calibre revolvers of this company’s make are very accurate and reliable arms, the .38-calibre, with 6 and 7 inch barrels, are chosen by persons desiring an accurate, quite powerful, and pleasant shooting weapon. The .38 calibre with the 6 and 7 inch barrels are very accurate up to 50 yards; the recoil is light and not unpleasant. The charge is less powerful than the .44 and .45, but about as heavy as is possible in an arm of the size and weight, and retains a satisfactory degree of accuracy. It is not difficult in shooting with a rest to place six shots within a 3-inch circle at 50 yards; and this feat has been accomplished in off-hand shooting with a .38-calibre Colt’s revolver with a 7-inch barrel.
The .32, .30, and .22 calibre Colt’s revolvers are intended for pocket-revolvers, and for short-range weapons unreliable beyond a few yards.
SIGHTS FOR REVOLVERS AND PISTOLS.
Nearly all revolvers and pistols have sights affixed to the barrels, which are very properly supposed by purchasers to aid them in hitting the object at which they shoot. In many cases the sights which the manufacturers place on their pistols and revolvers are very little, if any, aid to the shooter. Persons unfamiliar with these fire-arms, when they test a new pistol or revolver, generally commence by aiming at the object desired to hit, and if their holding is good they are likely to find the shots grouped quite a distance above the object aimed at. The heavier the charge and lighter the arm the greater the flip or kick-up. The shooter, when he observes this result, generally corrects the fault by holding under the object, and some wonderfully good shooting has been done by aiming eighteen or twenty inches under the object. It is, however, apparent that in most cases, where good as well as regular results have been obtained by this mode of sighting, it has been at a regular distance and where some object is found at the proper distance below the object desired to hit to enable the marksman to sight at each time.
When Chevalier Ira Paine gave his first exhibition of revolver-shooting at 50 yards at the rangeof the Massachusetts Rifle Association, on firing a few sighting-shots before commencing his one hundred shots, he found that his elegant .44-calibre Russian model, Smith & Wesson, revolver, which was perfectly sighted for about twelve yards when using the light loads and round-ball shot in his exhibitions, with the heavy or full charge, shot eighteen inches over the bull’s-eye. He immediately asked permission to place a spot at this distance below the bull’s-eye, which was given; but as he had only a few sighting-shots to judge the difference in the elevation between the two cartridges, he did not make what he proved he was capable of doing at a second exhibition, when he had the same revolver he used at the first trial, but with a different sight, which permitted him to aim directly at the bull’s-eye.
It is generally believed that the manufacturers of revolvers never supposed the fine work which is being done with their arms at the present time was in the weapon, and the arms were intended for quick and deadly work at short range, and for this reason but little attention has been paid to perfecting sights.
Having witnessed considerable revolver-shooting, and not a little in a section of this country where the arm was carried for protection, and after many practice shoots to almost invariably hear the shooters remark, “Any one of these shots would have hit a man,” the writer formedthe impression that the majority of persons who carried revolvers were content with an arm which, when fired, would hit the size of a man. On the supposition that this is the case, it is not strange that so little has been done to improve the accuracy of the revolver by correctly sighting it. The sights which come on the most popular revolvers of to-day are arranged, so far as the height is concerned which affects the elevation, in such a manner that they shoot over from six to thirty inches when fired from twenty to sixty yards. If the charge is reduced considerably, the sights which come on the revolver can be used in aiming directly at the object desired to hit; but with a full, heavy charge the over-shooting mentioned is experienced.
Fig. 1.
The accompanying illustrations show, approximately, the difference required in shooting a Smith & Wesson Russian model .44-calibre revolver with a light and heavy or full charge.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 1 shows the target-sight which is attached to this revolver when purchased. If a sight of this height is used with the full charge at 50 yards, and a sight taken on the bull’s-eye at 6 o’clock, if heldproperly, the bullet will strike about 18 inches over the bull’s-eye. The same result will be experienced with the plain open-sight which comes on this favorite arm, as well as most of the other revolvers of American make, of large calibre. If, however, the shooter desires to use a light charge of ten to fifteen grains of powder, he will find this sight approximately correct in regard to height. As many of the finest shots prefer to use the full charge, desiring to practise with a practical charge, such as they would use in warfare or defence, and knowing that, if properly held, it will give fine results, they procure another sight, similar in shape, but higher, as shown in Fig. 2. This additional height depresses the muzzle of the barrel, and counteracts the flip or kick-up, and the shooter can sight directly at the bull’s-eye at a distance of 50 yards. For shooting at 30 yards, a distance which most of the shooting is likely to be done in the future, and on the Standard American 100-yard rifle target, a sight slightly higher than the one shown in Fig. 2 should be used.
Chevalier Ira A. Paine, Professional Pistol and Revolver Shot.
Fig. 3.
To do fine shooting with pistol or revolverrequires fine sights. At the time of writing this chapter such a feeling is growing, and many improved devices are being brought out. The most favored sight by expert shots at the present time is the sight shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for a forward sight, and the rear sight as shown in Fig. 3, which has a semicircular notch to draw the top of the front-sight into. This style of sight was devised by Chevalier Ira Paine, and adopted by Messrs. Smith & Wesson, who style them “Paine Sights,” it giving the effect of a pin-head sight. Some good shots prefer a fine plain front-sight without the bead, and some use a straight rear bar without a notch, but a platinum line in the centre.
An improvement in the rear-sight is made by dovetailing a lateral sliding-bar across the barrel clutch of the Smith & Wesson revolvers, which makes an effective wind-gauge. Those desiring to test the accuracy of revolvers at a rest can do so very effectually by attaching to the rear-sight a piece of thin metal to convert the semicircle notch into a round aperture which, with a temporary aperture front-sight or the sight shown, enables the tester to obtain a good sight, which is quite difficult when shooting in this manner with open front and rear sights, which are so near together.
There are several ways of taking sight withpistol and revolver. It is believed that a majority of the best shots draw a very fine bead on the front-sight, and touch the object aimed at at the lower part of the bull’s-eye at 6 o’clock. Other good shots prefer to place the sight on the object or on the bull’s-eye, while still others place the sight on the object or on the bull’s-eye, and see the tip at 12 o’clock. It is believed that those who sight at the lower or bottom of the object aimed at possess more advantages than in the other ways mentioned; but the shooter should try the several ways, and, as soon as satisfied of his preference, adhere firmly to one manner of sighting, if permissible. It will be found that different makes and lots of ammunition vary considerably, affecting elevations; different weather conditions also affect elevations; this will be perceived with a few shots, and the error corrected by taking a finer or coarser sight.
Doubtless in the near future there will be a rear elevating and wind-gauge sight for pistols and revolvers. One has been devised by Messrs. Smith & Wesson, which is a great improvement over any heretofore placed on the market. It seems to be quite a difficult thing to perfect a revolver-sight, as several firms know who have been endeavoring to accomplish it for some time past. As with heavy charges the desired object is to depress the barrel or lower the elevation, rather than raise; while, with light charges, asyou increase your distance you are obliged to raise your rear-sight. A very high front-sight, which is necessary for the large charges, is considered unsymmetrical by manufacturers, and until some ingenious person devises a means of raising and lowering the front-sight of a revolver, the person who desires to shoot several kinds of ammunition accurately in one revolver, and at various distances, must carry about with him several front-sights of various heights which will interchange.
AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS.
Nearly all the modern American pistols and revolvers are made to shoot metallic cartridges. There are a few fine muzzle-loading duelling and target pistols in use at the present time, but the great amount of time necessary to load them, in comparison with the modern breech-loading arms, makes them unpopular with most of the pistol-shots, and out of the question for revolvers for military use, where rapidity of firing and reloading is required. The difference between a muzzle and breech loading single-shot pistol is apparently the same as the difference between the two systems of rifles. If loaded a certain way there is no advantage in one over another. Probably a muzzle-loading pistol, loaded the usual way of duelling pistols, would show finer work than a breech-loading pistol of the same weight, length of barrel and bore, loaded with a factory metallic cartridge. But if two pistols exactly alike, with the exception of one being a muzzle-loader and the other a breech-loader, were loaded with the same charge, one being loaded at the muzzle, the other at the breech; but instead of using a factory metallic cartridge the bullet was seated in the rifling, and the shell loaded flush to its top, and placed in the chamber, after the manner of loadingthe modern breech-loading target rifle,—it is believed that one pistol would shoot as well as the other. Many of the foreign target and duelling pistols of recent manufacture are made breech-loading, and loaded in the manner described. The expert pistol-shot is well aware that he can secure a great advantage by preparing ammunition for certain purposes in a manner different from the way the manufacturer makes it for the trade; but this point will be described later.
With the exception of the pistols alluded to, all modern American pistols and revolvers take the metallic cartridges, which are produced in enormous quantities and variety of styles in this country. These cartridges vary in size, and are known to the trade from .22 to .50 calibre, and contain charges of powder from 3 grains to 40, and bullets weighing from 30 to 300 grains.
The cartridge companies in America manufacture the following cartridges, which are used in American pistols and revolvers:—
Rim-Fire Cartridges.
Conical-ball cartridge for indoors, .22-calibre. .22-calibre: powder, 3 grains; lead, 30 grains. .22-calibre (long): powder, 5; lead, 30. .25-calibre: powder, 5; lead, 38. .30-calibre: powder, 6; lead, 55. .30-calibre (long): powder, 9; lead, 55. .32-calibre (ex. short): powder, 6; lead, 55. .32-calibre (short): powder, 9; lead, 82..32-calibre (long): powder, 13; lead, 90. .38-calibre (short): powder, 18; lead, 150. .38-calibre (long): powder, 21; lead, 148. .41-calibre: powder, 13; lead, 130. .41-calibre (long): powder, 16; lead, 130. .44-calibre (short): powder, 21; lead, 200. .44-calibre: powder, 26; lead, 200. .44-calibre: powder, 23; lead, 200. .46-calibre: powder, 26; lead, 230.
Centre-Fire Cartridges.
.22-calibre: powder, 15 grains; lead, 45 grains. .32-calibre Smith & Wesson: powder, 9; lead, 85. .32-calibre Colt: powder, 12; lead, 90. .32-calibre (short): powder, 9; lead, 82. .32-calibre (long): powder, 13; lead, 90. .32-calibre Winchester: powder, 20; lead, 115. .32-calibre Smith & Wesson rifle and .32-calibre Smith & Wesson, .32-.44: powder, 17; lead, 100. .38-calibre Merwin & Hulbert: powder, 14; lead, 145. .38-calibre Smith & Wesson: powder, 14; lead, 145. .38-calibre (short): powder, 18; lead, 130. .38-calibre (long): powder, 21; lead, 148. .41-calibre: powder, 20; lead, 130. .41-calibre Colt’s D. A.: powder, 14; lead, 160. .41-calibre D. A.: powder, 21; lead, 200. .44-calibre Webley: powder, 18; lead, 200. .44-calibre Bull Dog: powder, 15; lead, 168. .44-calibre Colt: powder, 23; lead, 210. .44-calibre Smith & Wesson, American model: powder, 25; lead, 205. .44-calibre Smith& Wesson, Russian model: powder, 22; lead, 235. .44-calibre Winchester: powder, 40; lead, 200. .44-calibre Merwin & Hulbert: powder, 30; lead, 220. .44-calibre Smith & Wesson, Russian model, gallery: powder, 7. .44-calibre Smith & Wesson, Russian model, gallery, round ball: powder, 7. .45-calibre Webley: powder, 20; lead, 230. .45-calibre Colt’s: powder, 35; lead, 260. .45-calibre Smith & Wesson (Schofield): powder, 30; lead, 250. .50-calibre: powder, 25; lead, 300.
The above list comprises all the metallic cartridges known to the author which can be found in the market at the time of writing this chapter. Many of these cartridges are adapted to almost obsolete patterns of pistols and revolvers, and would never be selected by skilled marksmen to do fine work, for the reason that both pistol and cartridge are not suitable for good shooting. We have previously alluded to the great number of cheap, worthless pistols and revolvers to be found in the American market. Many of the cartridges are for these arms. We have also mentioned the great quantity of pistols and revolvers intended for weapons of defence at short range. Among this list are numerous cartridges for these weapons, and still others are for the best and most accurate of American pistols and revolvers; these, with a few for foreign weapons, make up the list.
Among the cartridges largely used in single-shotpistols at the present time are the following:—
Rim-Fire Cartridges.
.22-calibre, conical balls; .22-calibre, short.
Centre-Fire Cartridges.
.32-calibre Smith & Wesson; .32-calibre Colt; .32-calibre (short); .32-calibre (long); .32-calibre Winchester rifle-cartridge; .32-calibre Smith & Wesson rifle.
For revolvers no expert marksmen, unless obliged to, would use a rim-fire cartridge, and the centre-fire cartridges giving the best results are as follows: .32-calibre Smith & Wesson; .32-calibre Colt; .32-calibre (short); .32-calibre (long); .32-calibre Smith & Wesson rifle, with round or conical ball, light and full charge; .32-calibre Smith & Wesson, .32-.44, Russian model; .38-calibre Merwin & Hulbert; .38-calibre Smith & Wesson; .38-calibre (short); .38-calibre (long); 41-calibre; .44-calibre Colt; .44-calibre Smith & Wesson, American model; .44-calibre Smith & Wesson, Russian model, full charge and light charge, with round or light conical bullet; .44-calibre Winchester; .45-calibre Webley; .45-calibre Colt’s Army; .45-calibre Smith & Wesson (Schofield). In rim-fire cartridges the .22-calibre conical-ball cartridge is used in considerable quantity. It makes very little report and hardlyany smoke, and is used largely by persons desiring practice indoors, where smoke and noise would be objectionable. Manufacturers claim that this cartridge possesses great accuracy at short range (ten or fifteen yards), and will not injure the pistol. It is true that very fine shooting can often be done with this cartridge, but the explosive substance with which this cartridge is charged is tremendously powerful, and the slightest variation in the quantity affects the power of a cartridge, and it is not unusual to get a wild shot with good holding, and it is not uncommon to have a bullet lodged in the barrel of the pistol from lack of power in the cartridge sufficient to force it out. The question of its not injuring a pistol may be true; but we should hesitate to use them in a pistol we desired to keep for the finest work, although the sport which can be obtained with these tiny cartridges tempts many enthusiasts to use them in great quantities. There are conical ball .22-calibre cartridges in the market with very thick, irregular heads. In using them there is much danger of premature discharges, as by closing the pistol the head of the cartridge is jammed, and an explosion is likely to occur, as they did several times in the writer’s hands. This fact well illustrates the greater danger in handling rim-fire over centre-fire cartridges. The .22-calibre (short) cartridge is consumed annually by the million in America bypistol-shooters. It is probably as accurate, if properly made, as any cartridge in the world up to a distance of fifty yards. It doubtless will continue in popularity for many years, for it is difficult, if not impossible, to make a cartridge of this size to sell for the price this cartridge does, and have it centre-fire, besides the difficulty of making a primer small enough to fit a .22-calibre straight shell. In all calibres above .22 the rim-fire cartridge is fast becoming obsolete, and they are never chosen now for the expert pistol-shot. The chief faults of the rim-fire cartridges are danger and unreliability caused by the action of heat on the lubricant. Rim-fire cartridges can be spoiled by placing them near a hot stove or where great heat can reach them, or even by placing them in a show-window where the sun strikes them; and ammunition which would shoot well on leaving the factory, from the causes mentioned, would be liable to either miss fire or shoot wild. Centre-fire cartridges are safer to handle, less liable to be injured by temperature, but far from perfect. The pistols and revolvers described in this work are probably not absolutely perfect; but it is believed that they are much nearer so than the ammunition advertised to use in them. Prominent among the faults in American pistol-cartridges to-day are the following:—
1. The exterior diameter of the cartridge, instead of the interior diameter, conforming to the bore of the pistol.
2. The excessive crimping of the shell to hold the bullet.
3. The placing of the lubricant on the exposed part of the bullet, instead of in cannelures covered by the shell.
4. The want of a proper powder to load the cartridge.
The first fault may properly be laid to the door of the manufacturer of the arms, which we are glad to say is found mostly in the cheap revolvers.
The second fault is being overcome by cartridge-makers, and, as a result, better shooting is being done.
The third fault has taken the writer a long time to correct. The Government Ordnance Board wisely saw this fault, and made the Government revolver cartridge with no exposed lubricant. The Winchester model, 1873, rifle cartridge has no outside lubricant. This is one reason why the Colt frontier revolver is the favorite arm of thousands of frontiersmen, when experiments would probably convince the most sceptical that the Russian model cartridge as a charge possesses far greater accuracy, and if in the hands of a battalion of cavalry would show much better results than the army cartridge or the .44 Winchester. The Smith & Wesson Russian model cartridge was designed by officers of the Russian government, but why they decided to have an outside lubricant the writer could never conceive.This cartridge, in a Smith & Wesson revolver, in cold weather, if shot slowly out of doors, will foul a revolver to such an extent as to disable it; and as Russia is a cold country, it would seem easy to imagine the difficulty likely to arise from this cause. The writer, perceiving this fault in the Russian model cartridge, visited the factory of the Union Metallic Cartridge Co. and suggested a change. The superintendent of the works immediately invited the writer to the testing-room, where fifty shots were fired rapidly without cleaning, and the result offered as proof of the excellence of the cartridge. It was suggested that a box be placed out of doors, it being a cold day, which was done, and after a brief time the cartridges were shot slowly, and before the box was half consumed the revolver could not be cocked, from the excessive fouling. This enterprising company at once saw the fault in this cartridge, and in a short time the writer had the pleasure of receiving a box of the new cartridges, with no outside lubricant, which, upon testing, were found much cleaner; and it is believed that twenty, or perhaps more, of these new cartridges can be fired in a Smith & Wesson revolver, and accurate shooting secured. The improvement was so apparent that this company discontinued the old manner of making this cartridge, and manufacture their entire product of this cartridge with no exposed lubricant; and other companies are to follow their example.
All ammunition which is intended to be carried in a belt or the pocket should have no outside lubricant. When the exposed part of the bullet is freely lubricated it is likely to become detached on one side, and experiments have shown that a bullet, with grease on one side only, will not shoot accurately; and we shall not be surprised later to see cartridges for smaller calibres made with an increased number of cannelures and no exposed lubricant. The chief trouble with revolver ammunition to-day is its excessive fouling from the grease and powder. By firing bullets into soft snow from a revolver which has been shot a few times, the investigator will find a ragged bullet, which shows how it raked over the adamantine-like crust which adheres to the inside of a revolver-barrel, which impairs its accuracy; therefore the fine shot cleans his revolver about once in every ten shots, if shooting the full charge. We have seen frontiersmen who stated they seldom clean their revolver except when they go hunting for a victim; but, as these individuals never did what is now called fine shooting, and the man who cleans his revolver as often as every ten shots puts ten consecutive shots in a four-inch bull’s-eye at thirty yards, it is evident that keeping a revolver clean is conducive to good marksmanship.
Most shooters believe a great improvement will, before long, be made in powder, and it isthought that this will lessen the fouling of revolvers; but this difficulty is not likely to be wholly overcome.
Newly-made ammunition is more desirable than old, if great accuracy is desired; hence many marksmen prefer to load their own ammunition, the mode of which will be found in another chapter.
RELOADING AMMUNITION FOR PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS.
There is a general impression among the shooting fraternity that reloaded ammunition is superior to the factory made. This is doubtless true if prepared by an expert, but it is safe to say that a majority of persons would secure much better results from the factory-made cartridges than they would with those prepared by themselves. It is necessary to have perfect fire-arms to secure fine and regular shooting; but unless the proper ammunition is used, the superiority of the pistol or revolver will not be apparent.
As marksmen become skilful, they notice errors in shooting; if they possess enthusiasm enough to become experts, they are constantly studying to improve their shooting, and a large share of their attention is devoted to the ammunition. It is not uncommon to find cartridges with the bullet improperly seated in the cartridge-case or shell; the bullet is sometimes jambed over one side of the shell, and instead of being wholly seated in the shell has the full length of the bullet on one side exposed. The common mode of lubricating by dipping in the lubricant, after the bullet is seated in the shell, hides many defects in factory-madecartridges, and the indifferent shooter fires the cartridges without thinking or investigating the cause of wild shots, until he notices what is technically known as “key-holes,” or the bullets going through the target sideways instead of point on.
The Winchester Reloading Tool for Pistol and Revolver Cartridges.
Other faults in factory-made ammunition are caused by age, which deteriorates the cartridge, causing the powder to cake, and the shell, bullet, and lubricant to oxidize; the latter cause also affecting the efficacy of the primer. As some cartridge companies have used one formula for making lubricant for cold weather, another for warm weather, and as lots of ammunition get scattered in all sections, and sometimes carried in stock for several years, it can be said that one would not be likely to get so good results from factory cartridges as from those freshly prepared of home make.
There are other reasons why many of the shooting fraternity prefer to reload their ammunition; it is a piece of economy not to be despised, and being located in an inaccessible place, away from towns or cities where cartridges can be purchased, compels some individuals to make their own ammunition.
The marksman, in attempting to reload ammunition, will be beset with many obstacles, and is not likely to produce so good cartridges at the first trials as he can purchase in stores where they have been received fresh from the factories; butto those who desire to prepare their own ammunition, the following mode, practised by different pistol and revolver experts, will doubtless prove a guide to many.
If the finest work is to be attempted, the use of new shells is recommended. If old shells are to be reloaded, the exploded primer should first be removed, the shells then washed and thoroughly rinsed in water, warm if convenient, and, if desirable to remove the stains from the shells, a little acid may be dropped into the water. After washing thoroughly, dry perfectly, but do not heat enough to draw the temper. Special care should be taken to have the water dried out of the pockets or primer-holes. The next process, if the shell was previously crimped, is to expand it at the mouth.
The Ideal Reloading Tool, for Pistol and Revolver Cartridges.
The reloading tools supplied by manufacturers are advertised to expand as well as decap the shell, but do so very ineffectually, and a tool is recommended specially for this purpose. Unless the shell is sufficiently expanded, the bullet cannot be properly seated in the shell, and this is one of the first difficulties the beginner is likely to encounter. After expanding the shell, the next operation is to reprime the shells. It will be found necessary to use the copper primer for most of the American shells. Considerable care should be used in seating the primer, as most of the shells are not solid head, and a heavy pressure on the capper will seatthe primer too deep, and often force it through the pocket and spoil the shell. If the full charge of powder is to be used in the cartridge, the shells should then receive it; but if a reduced charge is to be used in a large calibre, with the object of making cartridges for in-door shooting, many experts use a wad of pasteboard of the exact size of the inside diameter of the shell, with a hole about one-half the diameter of the wad in its centre. The wad is seated in the base of the shell, and the light charge of powder poured in. The object of this wad is to have the powder ignite quicker than it is supposed it would if spread over the base of a large shell. By the hole in the centre of the wad, much of the small charge of fine powder is directly in front of the primer, and the theory of experts is that the full force of the charge of powder is more quickly secured than if spread over the base of a large shell.
The question of powder is a very important one, and has provoked an endless amount of discussion and experimenting among manufacturers and shooters. The most desirable point is cleanliness, as much fouling means inaccurate shooting; and as that is a very marked defect in nearly all black powders at the present time, many believe that the effectiveness and accuracy of the revolver will be increased when improvements in powder are made.
In the smaller calibres and in short-barrelledpistols a finer grain of powder should be used; the fine-grain powder is also better for light charges.
A request to the leading American powder manufacturers to state the brands of powder they recommended for pistol and revolver shooting brought the following responses:—
Boston, Mass., 1887.Editor of The Rifle:—Dear Sir,—I enclose one of our later folders, by which you will see that, in sizes, the Telegraph runs from No. 1 to No. 5, inclusive. I think, however, for pistol cartridges I should not recommend anything coarser than No. 2;i.e., Telegraph, Nos. 2 to 5; Rifle Cartridge, Nos. 3 to 5 (No. 2 is used in rim-fire cartridges, which are not reloadable); also “Dead Shot.” Yours,F. A. ADAMS.Dupont’s Powder,87 Beaver Street, New York.Editor of The Rifle:—Dear Sir,—Yours of 10th inst. duly received, and in reply would say that for pistol cartridges we would recommend the powders specially made for that purpose and known asFFF Bcartridge powder, and alsoFFF Apowder.The Eagle Duck No. 3 is also used for pistol cartridges; but Mr. Conlin, the expert in such matters, and who keeps a gallery in this city for pistol-shooting principally, states that “theFFFBbrand of powder, introduced to revolver shooters, would prove the best adapted to revolver cartridges, as I find it to be the best that I have yet tried.” Yours truly,E. I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO.Boston, Dec. 15, 1887.Editor of The Rifle:—Dear Sir,—Yours of 10th inst. is received. We would recommend for pistol cartridges our Wing Shot, No. 2 or No. 3 grain, or Western Sporting,FgorFFggrain. Yours truly,ORIENTAL POWDER MILLS.The Hazard Powder Company,Manufacturers of Gunpowder,New York.Editor of The Rifle:—Dear Sir,—Yours of the 9th just received. The difference of opinion is so varied regarding the best powder for pistol cartridges that we hesitate to recommend. The calibre may be .32 or .45; yet, if the pistol barrel be long, it requires for accurate shooting a much coarser grain powder than does a short barrel. We enclose herewith our circular and diagram card, and remain,Yours truly,THE HAZARD POWDER CO.
Boston, Mass., 1887.
Editor of The Rifle:—
Dear Sir,—I enclose one of our later folders, by which you will see that, in sizes, the Telegraph runs from No. 1 to No. 5, inclusive. I think, however, for pistol cartridges I should not recommend anything coarser than No. 2;i.e., Telegraph, Nos. 2 to 5; Rifle Cartridge, Nos. 3 to 5 (No. 2 is used in rim-fire cartridges, which are not reloadable); also “Dead Shot.” Yours,
F. A. ADAMS.
Dupont’s Powder,87 Beaver Street, New York.
Editor of The Rifle:—
Dear Sir,—Yours of 10th inst. duly received, and in reply would say that for pistol cartridges we would recommend the powders specially made for that purpose and known asFFF Bcartridge powder, and alsoFFF Apowder.
The Eagle Duck No. 3 is also used for pistol cartridges; but Mr. Conlin, the expert in such matters, and who keeps a gallery in this city for pistol-shooting principally, states that “theFFFBbrand of powder, introduced to revolver shooters, would prove the best adapted to revolver cartridges, as I find it to be the best that I have yet tried.” Yours truly,
E. I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO.
Boston, Dec. 15, 1887.
Editor of The Rifle:—
Dear Sir,—Yours of 10th inst. is received. We would recommend for pistol cartridges our Wing Shot, No. 2 or No. 3 grain, or Western Sporting,FgorFFggrain. Yours truly,
ORIENTAL POWDER MILLS.
The Hazard Powder Company,Manufacturers of Gunpowder,New York.
Editor of The Rifle:—
Dear Sir,—Yours of the 9th just received. The difference of opinion is so varied regarding the best powder for pistol cartridges that we hesitate to recommend. The calibre may be .32 or .45; yet, if the pistol barrel be long, it requires for accurate shooting a much coarser grain powder than does a short barrel. We enclose herewith our circular and diagram card, and remain,
Yours truly,THE HAZARD POWDER CO.
(Extract from Circular.)
For pistol-shooting—A fine grain is preferred, of “Electric,” “American Sporting,” or “Kentucky Rifle.”
In addition to the American brands of black powder mentioned is the American wood powder, which is favored by some pistol-shots on account of its non-fouling qualities. The English powder, Curtis & Harvey No. 3, is also excellent. It is quite clean and uniform, but its cost is very high, the expense of a pound being about $1.50. The American Powder Works’ products are used by many experts, the Hazard’s Kentucky Rifle is also a favorite brand, but there are many opinions as to the best powder; if a shooter get good results with a certain brand, it is wisdom to use it exclusively, if possible, as the different brands vary considerably in strength and effect elevations. Mr. F. J. Rabbeth, an acknowledged expert in fire-arms, has devoted considerable time to experimenting with powders, shooting many hundred shots at a rest, with revolvers fitted with fine sights, to learn, if possible, the merits of different brands of powder for pistol-shooting. His experiments with wood powder show excellent results; but a majority of the pistol-shots at the present time do not seem to favor this kind of powder, but there exists a feeling that before long a powder will be produced which will cause less fouling than that in use at the present time, andsuch a compound will be welcomed by pistol-shots.
Score of 90 out of a possible 100, at 30 yards, with gallery ammunition, in .44-calibre Smith & Wesson Russian-model revolver, made by Mr.F. E. Bennett, at Walnut Hill, Mass., Oct. 12, 1887. Reduced one-half.
After placing the powder in the shell the bullet is inserted, generally without a wad, and seated in the shell. In cartridges with full charges the bullet is generally seated with a tool made expressly for the purpose. With reduced charges, a round ball is often used, which is seated down in the shell touching the powder. It is then necessary to lubricate the cartridge, and as there are no cannelures to hold the grease, it is necessary to place the lubrication around the upper edges of the bullet. There are several ways of doing this, the most approved manner being to place a bit of cold lubricant in each shell after the bullet has been seated, then with a plug with a concave end, of about the same diameter as the shell, force the lubricant down on top of the bullet, and by a few turns of the plug the lubricant will be placed evenly around the edge of the ball. Evenly distributing the lubricant is essential to secure even shooting.
If desirable to make the bullets, we cannot add anything to the directions given by Mr. F. J. Rabbeth to the readers ofThe Riflein a recent issue, from which we extract the following:—
“Ever since the combination of cartridge manufacturers went into effect, by which the prices of bullets were advanced some 20 per cent., I havebeen tempted to tell riflemen what I know about making bullets, thereby enabling such as have not mastered the art, but who have the time and inclination,—as also the disposition to save a penny,—to quickly acquire it, and at the same time become independent of all combinations of bullet-makers in the future.
“It is evident from the quality of moulds furnished by the various manufacturers that there has been very little effort by any of them to furnish their customers with a practical implement. Indeed, I believe their policy has usually been to discourage people from making their own ammunition. I have searched the market through and have never yet found a thoroughly practical mould on sale. In fact, as compared with a first-class implement, a large majority of these things are absolutely worthless; but it would take too much space to point out all their various defects, and it will be much easier to describe how a good mould should be made. To begin, the mould should be of brass or composition, as lead flows to that metal better than iron or steel, and is worth more than the difference in cost. The two halves should be pivoted together, like a pair of blacksmith’s tongs (not like a nut-cracker, as many of them are), with a large, well-fitted hinge-screw, with a body part one-eighth larger than thread part, so that it may be screwed solid against this enlarged body part without binding the mould too tightlytogether. Unless these hinge-screws are so fitted with shoulder they are continually working loose, and causing delay and trouble. After the mould is pivoted together and properly jointed, it should have one well-fitted dowel-pin placed as far from the pivot-screw as possible in the centre of the mould-head. The mould should be ample in size at the pivot or hinge, and at the head, so that it will not be likely to get sprung out of adjustment by rough usage; also that its mass may retain heat, and so preserve a more uniform temperature while in use. The cut-off should be of cast-steel, one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch thick, and pivoted on a substantial, well-fitted screw, with enlarged body part, as described for hinge-screw, and for the same purpose,i.e., that it may stay put when secured to place.
“The sprew-hole for any ordinary-sized bullet should not exceed one-tenth inch in diameter. The cut-off should project about one and a half inches beyond mould-head, and should swing far enough to one side to entirely uncover the base of the bullet. The shanks of the mould should be adapted to receive wood handles, and with handles attached, for comfort in use, should measure about nine inches to hinge-screw.
“For melting the lead a small plumber’s kettle should be had that will hold, when full, about twenty pounds. For dipping from this, a small Monroe ladle, with round nozzle that will enterthe counter-sink or sprew-hole of the cut-off. Heat the mould till it is near the melting temperature of lead, and when the lead in kettle is sufficiently hot, dip from kettle with ladle. Apply mould to nozzle while in a horizontal position, then while still holding mould in contact, quickly elevate ladle above mould, holding them in that position for a few seconds. This gives the full pressure of the lead in the ladle on the mould while it is cooling, and by this method as perfect a bullet can be cast as can be made by swaging. They can be cast at the average rate of 225 per hour. A gas stove is much the best means of melting the lead, as a more even temperature can be maintained; but it is not difficult to cast good bullets, using almost any kind of a coal fire.
“The lead and moulds should be kept at a temperature that will require a few seconds, say five to ten, for the lead in the sprew-hole to solidify after the ladle has been separated from the mould. This is the true test; and while this temperature is maintained, the bullets will be cast perfect. The mould should be held over the kettle while casting, so that any lead spilled may fall into main body.
“The best method for lubricating grooved bullets is to mix beeswax and cylinder or other heavy oil,—one part oil to four beeswax. Procure a pair of ordinary ten-cent tweezers, file away the centre so they will grasp the bullet near the pointand not slip off too readily. Dip the bullets to cover all the grooves, and set them on a board to cool. When cool, remove surplus lubricant by forcing bullets through a tube the size of bullet. This is cheaply made by cutting off the head of a shell and soldering a tapering tin extension to the shell, say six inches long. Shove this tube on to the bullets as they stand on the board, and empty the tube as often as it fills with bullets. If the grooves are not too wide—they should not be more than1⁄25inch wide, say twelve to the inch—this method will give perfect lubrication. Another method about equally good is to set a quantity of bullets in a shallow pan, points up, then to pour melted lubricant among them till there is sufficient in the pan to cover all the grooves; set aside till lubricant is sufficiently cooled, then use the tube as described above to remove surplus. Bullets so cast and lubricated will do very fine shooting either with clean or dirty barrel.”
Cartridges should not be exposed to the sun, and should be kept in a dry, cool place.
THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE REVOLVER.
Results of Revolver-firing up to Fifty Yards.
It was believed by many of the experts with fire-arms, as well as the author, for a number of years, that the possibilities of the revolver were not generally, if at all, known. Many were aware that the single-shot pistol with a long barrel, suitable sights, and proper charge was capable of doing excellent work at short and long range; but the revolver, on account of its revolving cylinder, permitting an escape of gas, as well as the comparatively short barrel, was capable of shooting accurately only at short range; 25 yards or 100 feet was generally the chosen distance in most revolver contests, and it was thought necessary to have a target as coarse as the Creedmoor 200-yard rifle target to shoot on at these distances. Believing that the revolver was capable of doing much finer work than any previously recorded work it was possible for the author to learn of, he closely watched the results obtained with this arm in various parts of the world; sought and obtained the services of the most skilful marksmen he could find; arranged public and private exhibitions; spent days uponthe rifle-ranges where experiments were tried, thousands of shots fired from revolvers and pistols, at a rest with fine sights by acknowledged experts in this style of shooting; professional and expert amateurs’ services obtained; and revolvers and pistols, of various makes, shot from 7 up to 500 yards. Factories where the revolvers were manufactured were visited, shooting witnessed and done, and the results obtained carefully preserved.
As the author became impressed that the results secured from time to time were beyond what was believed the revolver was capable of doing, he forwarded targets or reports to manufacturers of the arms used, with a request to be informed if the results were equal or superior to what they had obtained, or thought were likely to be secured. In every instance replies indicated that they were surprised at the excellence of the results; and in most cases they frankly acknowledged that the accuracy was beyond what they supposed the arms possessed. These replies have influenced the author to record in this little work the results of pistol and revolver firing which have come under his personal observation, believing that they are much beyond what was generally believed to be possible to do with those arms, more complete than has ever been previously recorded; but at the same time firmly believing that if pistol and revolver shooting becomes a popular sport in America,—if it is indulged in to one-halfthe extent rifle-shooting is at the time of preparing this work,—the feats chronicled in this volume will not be the best results possible, and, doubtless, many an amateur will surpass them.
Eighteen shots with a revolver, by Mr.George Bird, at 12 yards, winner of first prize in revolver match, Conlin’s Gallery, New York. Score, 210; possible, 216.
Parties who essay to perform such feats as lighting matches and driving tacks with a bullet usually attempt them at a distance of about 7 yards, as that is about as long a distance as the average person can see such objects. Ten and 12 yards is about the shortest distance at which target-shooting is practised; at this distance the modern revolver, with a barrel from fourinches upwards, if properly charged and held, if all the cylinders are loaded, ought to place every shot in a group which could be enclosed or touched by a circle one inch in diameter. It requires a good revolver, proper ammunition, as well as a skilful marksman, to do such work; but it is no uncommon occurrence in galleries where the range is 12 yards, as will be seen by the illustrations in this chapter.
It is nothing uncommon for experts with pistol or revolver to place a series of shots in a smaller circle than one inch, at 12 yards, especially if a .22-calibre, single-shot, heavy pistol is used; but it should be stated that such shooting is generally done with light charges; but it can and has been done with full, heavy charges. At 20 yards it is not uncommon to place all the shots, when fired at a rest, in or touched by a circle one and one-half inches in diameter.
When revolver-shooting was introduced as an adjunct to rifle-shooting it was thought that the Standard American target for 200 yards rifle practice was the proper thing for revolver-shooting at a distance of 25 yards. A match was first announced at the annual meeting at Creedmoor, in 1886, in which there were three scores of 48 out of a possible 50 in five shots secured. There were three scores to count, or possible 150 points. The highest three scores in this match were 143, 140, 134. There were five scores only of five shotseach in which the shots were all inside of the nine-circle, which is 554⁄100inches in diameter. A month later the Massachusetts Rifle Association announced a revolver match, in the annual fall meeting programme, under similar conditions, excepting the match called for five scores to count. As both matches were unlimited reëntry matches, the best three scores of the highest four individuals are taken to compare with the results secured at Creedmoor. Four scores are selected because the person at the head of the list was a professional shot, and his skill at that time was considerably in advance of his competitors.
Six shots with a Smith & Wesson .32-calibre revolver, at 12 yards, made in Conlin’s Gallery, New York City, February 8, 1887, by Mr.Pierre Lorillard, Jr.
The second, third, and fourth prize-winners secured an aggregate of 142, 142, 141.
The professional shot was Chevalier Paine, who on his sixth entry secured the possible of 50 in five shots and two scores of 49, making 148 out of a possible 150, or the 15 shots (not consecutive) in a 554⁄100inch circle. This gentleman fired 40 shots. Of this number there were 27 in the 10 circle, which is 336⁄100inches in diameter. Soon after this meeting revolver-shooting sprung into popularity, and it was shown by the shooting of the members of the Massachusetts Rifle Association that, if revolver-shooting was continued at 25 yards, the possible would be secured so frequently as to make the sport uninteresting. It is worthy of record that Mr. A. L. Brackett of that association made the following 10-shot score at 25 yards on the Standard American target:—
It was decided by this club to change the distance to 50 yards.
Chevalier Ira Paine was the first individual known to fire 100 shots on this target at thisdistance, which he did Oct. 15, 1886, at Walnut Hill range, using a .44-calibre Russian-model army revolver and factory ammunition made by Union Metallic Cartridge Co.
The 100 shots were as follows:—
Six shots with a Smith & Wesson Frontier-model revolver, at 12 yards, reduced charge, made by Mr.George Bird, at Conlin’s Gallery, New York, April 23, 1887.
The first person who attempted to equal Chevalier Paine’s record was Dr. C. C. Foster, who fired 100 shots with a Colt’s .38-calibre double-action revolver on same target, at the same distance, at Walnut Hill, Nov. 20, 1886, he securing 782 points. The next attempt at raising the record was by Chevalier Paine, who shot against his own record at Walnut Hill with the same weapon he used in the first 50-yard match. He shot on March 17, 1887, with the following result:—
It will be observed that 70 of the 100 shots were bull’s-eyes; 29 of the shots were tens, or in the 336⁄100circle. The first 10 shots broke all previous 10-shot records; the fifth string counted 90, and was at that time the best 10-shot record at 50 yards. The aggregate of 841 for the 100 shots was 50 points over his previous record, and 59 points more than had ever been secured by any other individual in a 100-shot match.
This 100-shot was unbroken until Nov. 4, 1887; but on May 21, 1887, Mr. W. W. Bennett broke the 10-shot 50 yards’ record on the Standard Americantarget, by recording the following score at Walnut Hill:—
On November 4 Mr. F. E Bennett fired 100 shots at 50 yards with a Smith & Wesson Russian-model, .44-calibre army revolver, with factory ammunition, with the declared object of breaking the 100-shot record. He scored the following result:—