Single shot capsule pistol with lower trigger position (underhammer)
Pistols with a lower arrangement of the trigger are a type of muzzle-loading capsule weapons. These pistols are very common in the United States in the middle of the 19 century, thanks to reliability and low cost. In addition to pistols, rifles were produced with a similar design.
The weapon of this variety has received the general name underhammer. There were a huge number of different designs of underhammer pistols.
In this article, we will look at two simple classical models of single-shot priming pistols with a lower trigger position.
The main feature of underhammer pistols is the undergun arrangement of the trigger. Brandtrubka to install primer, respectively screwed from the bottom into the breech.
The gun underhammer usually has a rifled barrel bore. The outer surface of the barrel in the breech is usually octahedral, the second half of the barrel, which is closer to the muzzle is cylindrical.
The sights of underhammer pistols consist of a fixed front sight and a rear sight. The front sight is mounted on the barrel at the muzzle, the rear sight is cut in the vertical rear plate.
The release of these pistols engaged in various small arms firms. The stamp of the manufacturer is usually applied on one of the faces of the barrel. The high manufacturability of this weapon and the low cost allowed to make pistols even in small plumbing workshops, and therefore sometimes the weapon does not have serial numbers or manufacturer’s markings.
Another feature of the American underhammer blasting pistols is the pointed shape of the lower part of the handle. Perhaps this is due to the fact that this form of the shank of the handle allows you to grab the pistol by the barrel, use it as a cold weapon of shock-shattering action.
The gun presented in the photo has a caliber 0,42, barrel length 135 mm. A nickel silver plate is installed on the left side of the handle, probably for engraving.
On the left side of the faceted part of the trunk there is a two-line marking “CAST-STEEL / CANTON CONN”
The upper part of the frame is engraved. On its surface one can see a drawing in the form of a floral ornament and an image of an American eagle. Two-line text markings on the top of the ANDRUS & OSBORN / CANTON CONN frame. Marking indicates the pistol was manufactured by Andrews and Osborne from Connecticut.
Classic single-shot underhammer pistols can be divided into two main types, depending on the frame design.
The first option has a frame that consists of the upper part with the details of the firing mechanism and the lower part, which is the frame for the handle. The frames of these pistols are made of brass or steel.
The trigger mechanism of these pistols consists of a trigger with a combat spring and a trigger with a spring. The springs are flat, fixed in the grooves of the frame of the gun. The sear is a projection made directly on the trigger.
Brandtrubka screwed into the lower part of the barrel. The trigger has a slightly elongated needle.
Pistols of this variety have wooden handle cheeks attached to the frame with screws. Handles can be both pointed at the end and rounded.
The second type of single-shot underhammer pistols has a one-piece handle that fits into the frame.
Externally, these pistols differ from the first variety only in the absence of the metal base of the handle.
The upper part of the frame is covered with a plate protecting the parts of the firing mechanism. In the lower part of the handle there is a groove for accommodating the trigger and the trigger.
The frame of the pistols of this variety is a figured plate on which the barrel and parts of the trigger are fixed. A wooden handle is attached to the same plate.
The trigger mechanism consists of mounted on the axes of the trigger and the trigger. A flat fighting spring and a trigger spring are screwed to the frame of the gun.
The simplicity and reliability of the design of single-shot underhammer pistols made it possible to use them for a long time as personal weapons. Currently, in the US, many gun lovers under the black powder are engaged in the manufacture of replicas of these pistols. The German company Tilo Dedinski Vorderladerwaffenbau manufactures high-quality underhammer pistols for sport shooting. The weapons of this company have engraved metal parts, pistol handles are made to order in different configurations.
The original single-shot guns 19 century with the lower location of the trigger on gun auctions are within 500 - 1200 dollars.
The weapon of this variety has received the general name underhammer. There were a huge number of different designs of underhammer pistols.
In this article, we will look at two simple classical models of single-shot priming pistols with a lower trigger position.
The main feature of underhammer pistols is the undergun arrangement of the trigger. Brandtrubka to install primer, respectively screwed from the bottom into the breech.
The gun underhammer usually has a rifled barrel bore. The outer surface of the barrel in the breech is usually octahedral, the second half of the barrel, which is closer to the muzzle is cylindrical.
The sights of underhammer pistols consist of a fixed front sight and a rear sight. The front sight is mounted on the barrel at the muzzle, the rear sight is cut in the vertical rear plate.
The release of these pistols engaged in various small arms firms. The stamp of the manufacturer is usually applied on one of the faces of the barrel. The high manufacturability of this weapon and the low cost allowed to make pistols even in small plumbing workshops, and therefore sometimes the weapon does not have serial numbers or manufacturer’s markings.
Another feature of the American underhammer blasting pistols is the pointed shape of the lower part of the handle. Perhaps this is due to the fact that this form of the shank of the handle allows you to grab the pistol by the barrel, use it as a cold weapon of shock-shattering action.
The gun presented in the photo has a caliber 0,42, barrel length 135 mm. A nickel silver plate is installed on the left side of the handle, probably for engraving.
On the left side of the faceted part of the trunk there is a two-line marking “CAST-STEEL / CANTON CONN”
The upper part of the frame is engraved. On its surface one can see a drawing in the form of a floral ornament and an image of an American eagle. Two-line text markings on the top of the ANDRUS & OSBORN / CANTON CONN frame. Marking indicates the pistol was manufactured by Andrews and Osborne from Connecticut.
Classic single-shot underhammer pistols can be divided into two main types, depending on the frame design.
The first option has a frame that consists of the upper part with the details of the firing mechanism and the lower part, which is the frame for the handle. The frames of these pistols are made of brass or steel.
The trigger mechanism of these pistols consists of a trigger with a combat spring and a trigger with a spring. The springs are flat, fixed in the grooves of the frame of the gun. The sear is a projection made directly on the trigger.
Brandtrubka screwed into the lower part of the barrel. The trigger has a slightly elongated needle.
Pistols of this variety have wooden handle cheeks attached to the frame with screws. Handles can be both pointed at the end and rounded.
The second type of single-shot underhammer pistols has a one-piece handle that fits into the frame.
Externally, these pistols differ from the first variety only in the absence of the metal base of the handle.
The upper part of the frame is covered with a plate protecting the parts of the firing mechanism. In the lower part of the handle there is a groove for accommodating the trigger and the trigger.
The frame of the pistols of this variety is a figured plate on which the barrel and parts of the trigger are fixed. A wooden handle is attached to the same plate.
The trigger mechanism consists of mounted on the axes of the trigger and the trigger. A flat fighting spring and a trigger spring are screwed to the frame of the gun.
The simplicity and reliability of the design of single-shot underhammer pistols made it possible to use them for a long time as personal weapons. Currently, in the US, many gun lovers under the black powder are engaged in the manufacture of replicas of these pistols. The German company Tilo Dedinski Vorderladerwaffenbau manufactures high-quality underhammer pistols for sport shooting. The weapons of this company have engraved metal parts, pistol handles are made to order in different configurations.
The original single-shot guns 19 century with the lower location of the trigger on gun auctions are within 500 - 1200 dollars.
Information