a mystery to me

Jim McDougall · 22nd May 2021, 05:18 PM

While I am surely no gun authority, I have always thought these were pretty intriguing for their most unusual appearance.
From what I have found on them they were produced for the Navy in 1860 through 1862, but only 300 in '60 and 800 in '61.

Apparently these were an early attempt at double action firing mechanisms where the cocking and firing both are initiated by the trigger. This 'system' seems to have been regarded as too complex, possibly leading to malfunctions?
Thus this particular model gun ceased.

As far as double action goes, Colt introduced their version in 1877.

22nd May 2021, 05:18 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,469	While I am surely no gun authority, I have always thought these were pretty intriguing for their most unusual appearance. From what I have found on them they were produced for the Navy in 1860 through 1862, but only 300 in '60 and 800 in '61. Apparently these were an early attempt at double action firing mechanisms where the cocking and firing both are initiated by the trigger. This 'system' seems to have been regarded as too complex, possibly leading to malfunctions? Thus this particular model gun ceased. As far as double action goes, Colt introduced their version in 1877.