Flintlock 4 Cylinder Revolver For Comment

[dana_w]

Flintlock pistols with rotating cylinders were supposedly produced as curiosities during the late 18th century. A Russian maker working in England named Ivan Polin made a flintlock revolver that is believed to date from 1801. Elisha Haydon Collier is often credited for inventing a flintlock revolver around 1814 that inspired Samuel Colt.

This 4 cylinder example of a flintlock revolver has no evident makers marks. I invite comments from the forum.

Weight: 4 lb, 5 oz
Approximate Overall Dimensions: 24” x 7” x 2 ¼”
Barrel length not including cylinder: 14”
Cylinder length: 3”

All photos are copyright (c) 2016 Dana K. Williams. All rights are reserved.

[fernando]

Fascinating. Does this belong in your collection, Dana ?

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by fernando

Fascinating. Does this belong in your collection, Dana ?

Yes Fernando, this pistol is part of the collection my sister and I inherited from our late father, F.E. Williams III (AKA Jack Williams)

[kahnjar1]

Hi Dana,
Very interesting pistol. I do not often post in this section of the Forum, but have a healthy interest in old firearms of all types.
From the pics, it is not evident how the cylinder rotates. I assume it is hand rotated around a fixed mounting which holds the barrel?
Is the cylinder "locked" in any way to avoid accidental rotation?
What safety measures are in place to stop cross ignition between the cylinder tubes?
How does one demount the cylinder for cleaning?
It would be interesting to see some "exploded" pics of the pistol if possible.
Stu

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

I assume it is hand rotated around a fixed mounting which holds the barrel?
Is the cylinder "locked" in any way to avoid accidental rotation?
What safety measures are in place to stop cross ignition between the cylinder tubes?
How does one demount the cylinder for cleaning?
It would be interesting to see some "exploded" pics of the pistol if possible.
Stu

As you assumed Stu (AKA kahnjar1), there is a button on the bottom which unlocks the cylinder so that it can be hand turned. There is an index mark on the cylinder that gives the user an idea which chamber is in use and the depressions in the cylinder help easily locate the next locking position. The chambers are loaded and can be cleaned via and opening in the stock in front of the trigger guard. The locking button, indexed depressions in the cylinder, and loading access can be seen well in the second photo.

[kahnjar1]

Hi Dana,
Thanks for the info. Must admit I did not look closely at the groove. I had assumed from the pic that it was for a rammer
What about cross ignition? Any safety features to stop this?
Stu