Underhammer Boot pistol from Maine

colin henshaw · 11th October 2020, 12:28 PM

On the subjects of pepperbox pistols, how about this bad boy as a close-quarters self-defence weapon ? With 24 barrels surely one or two rounds would find their mark...
And should by mishap, all 24 barrels go off simultaneously, the resulting explosion would likely dispose of both attacker and defender in one fell swoop !

Richard G · 11th October 2020, 02:38 PM

Is it a normal cap and nipple set up? I would have thought that without some method of securing the cap there is a great danger it falls off when the hammer is cocked.
Regards
Richard

Jim McDougall · 12th October 2020, 03:16 PM

Good digression with the 'pepperboxes' as they are contemporary and most interesting. Now, the 'cannon' or 'Gatling' thing with 24 barrels!! uh, I wouldn't want to be in the same room with that being fired.

The notion of the scatter gun system is pretty sketchy as the shooter is in far more peril.

I would note here that even the six shot revolvers had their moments of multiple detonation. At a small museum which displayed excavated relics (named the 'dug up museum') local archaeologists donated firearms that had been found mostly in Wyoming and Plains states. One was a Colt 'Navy' (if I recall correctly)with of course the cap and nipple system which had so detonated, to the misfortune of the guy shooting it. It was pretty scary to see the remains of this thing. I wish I had taken pics.

Another problem with percussion took place in the Battle of San Pascual (Mexican War 1846). It was claimed that the contingent of US Dragoons was largely wiped out by Mexican lancers (Pico's Californios actually, not line cavalry but vaqueros).
What actually happened was that it was dark AM, their horses were blown, it was freezing cold and had been raining (in rugged terrain outside San Diego).
They were armed with percussion Hall carbines, which used powder charge packets, which it was claimed were wet and unusable, so the men were in effect unarmed.
What really happened was, they could not load the rifles as cold fingers in pitch dark, on rugged terrain unknown with erratic horse movement made it impossible. The Mexicans, knowing the terrain, were skilled with the lance (using them for hunting etc.) so virtually all the casualties were from the lance.

Just some perspective on the issues with percussion guns.

With the under hammer, I think it was simply used in a situation 'up close and personal' where a single shot would end a confrontation one on one, but in a melee, not so good. As always, I think bar fights etc. with literally everybody throwing punches were as much a product of old movies in the same way as the 'gunfight, quick draw showdown'.

An interesting aside with these up close shots is that in many cases the victim's clothing actually caught fire from discharged burning powder.

kahnjar1 · 13th October 2020, 05:32 AM

Very nice and interesting pistol Jim. Right up my alley!!! Attached reference from Flayderman shows your piece. The values shown are around 1980 I think. If not allowed please delete them.
Stu

Jim McDougall · 13th October 2020, 06:51 AM

Hi Stu,
Thanks very much for that!!! Its been a REALLY long time since I've seen a Flayderman catalog. He was a great guy, and I always enjoyed talking with him. He was always the 'go to' guy for Americana, and I got some great things from him back in the 70s.

I think what I always liked about this and others like it was the 'saw handle' seen on some dueling pistols of the time. Just unique.

11th October 2020, 12:28 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	On the subjects of pepperbox pistols, how about this bad boy as a close-quarters self-defence weapon ? With 24 barrels surely one or two rounds would find their mark... And should by mishap, all 24 barrels go off simultaneously, the resulting explosion would likely dispose of both attacker and defender in one fell swoop ! Attached Images Last edited by colin henshaw; 11th October 2020 at 01:07 PM.

13th October 2020, 05:32 AM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,730	Very nice and interesting pistol Jim. Right up my alley!!! Attached reference from Flayderman shows your piece. The values shown are around 1980 I think. If not allowed please delete them. Stu Attached Images

11th October 2020, 02:38 PM	#2
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 402	Is it a normal cap and nipple set up? I would have thought that without some method of securing the cap there is a great danger it falls off when the hammer is cocked. Regards Richard

12th October 2020, 03:16 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,785	Good digression with the 'pepperboxes' as they are contemporary and most interesting. Now, the 'cannon' or 'Gatling' thing with 24 barrels!! uh, I wouldn't want to be in the same room with that being fired. The notion of the scatter gun system is pretty sketchy as the shooter is in far more peril. I would note here that even the six shot revolvers had their moments of multiple detonation. At a small museum which displayed excavated relics (named the 'dug up museum') local archaeologists donated firearms that had been found mostly in Wyoming and Plains states. One was a Colt 'Navy' (if I recall correctly)with of course the cap and nipple system which had so detonated, to the misfortune of the guy shooting it. It was pretty scary to see the remains of this thing. I wish I had taken pics. Another problem with percussion took place in the Battle of San Pascual (Mexican War 1846). It was claimed that the contingent of US Dragoons was largely wiped out by Mexican lancers (Pico's Californios actually, not line cavalry but vaqueros). What actually happened was that it was dark AM, their horses were blown, it was freezing cold and had been raining (in rugged terrain outside San Diego). They were armed with percussion Hall carbines, which used powder charge packets, which it was claimed were wet and unusable, so the men were in effect unarmed. What really happened was, they could not load the rifles as cold fingers in pitch dark, on rugged terrain unknown with erratic horse movement made it impossible. The Mexicans, knowing the terrain, were skilled with the lance (using them for hunting etc.) so virtually all the casualties were from the lance. Just some perspective on the issues with percussion guns. With the under hammer, I think it was simply used in a situation 'up close and personal' where a single shot would end a confrontation one on one, but in a melee, not so good. As always, I think bar fights etc. with literally everybody throwing punches were as much a product of old movies in the same way as the 'gunfight, quick draw showdown'. An interesting aside with these up close shots is that in many cases the victim's clothing actually caught fire from discharged burning powder.

13th October 2020, 06:51 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,785	Hi Stu, Thanks very much for that!!! Its been a REALLY long time since I've seen a Flayderman catalog. He was a great guy, and I always enjoyed talking with him. He was always the 'go to' guy for Americana, and I got some great things from him back in the 70s. I think what I always liked about this and others like it was the 'saw handle' seen on some dueling pistols of the time. Just unique.