Jackson, Nottingham. Beautiful English transitional .45 cal. Percussion single action revolver, ca. 1850 - SOLD
ŠAll Photos copyright Lewis Drake and Associates
Jackson, Nottingham. Beautiful English transitional .45 cal. Percussion single action revolver, ca. 1850. Overall length 13”. Rifled 6” octagonal barrel with most of the original brilliant black finish and mint bore has silver front sight and “Jackson, Nottingham” engraved on top flat. Six shot cylinder with each chamber sequentially numbered and hand engraved 1 through 6. Very sturdy steel action is nicely engraved in typical British fashion and retains some of the original hardening color. Very finely checkered walnut butt stock has a brass butt cap with integral cap box having a spring loaded lid. Silver wrist escutcheon bears the name, “W.A. King”.
Interestingly, the hammer and each nipple are offset to the right so as not to interfere with the sighting line the rear notch of which is formed by the left side of the cocked hammer and a notch in the nipple guard.
Another unusual feature is that the loading end of each chamber is chamfered slightly and the barrel breech is tapered slightly to fit within the chamber. When the hammer is cocked the cylinder is retracted rearward slightly during rotation allowing a few thousandths of an inch clearance between the barrel breech and forward end of the cylinder like a Colt. However, as the hammer is falling, the entire cylinder is moved forward about .060” allowing the barrel taper to fit tightly into the chamfered mouth of the chamber providing a gas-tight seal. This was a very innovative solution to the problem of multiple discharges which was not an uncommon feature with many revolver designs including that of Sam Colt. At least one downfall of that concept had to be that, compared to the relatively inexpensive machine made Colt firearms, the English designs, including this one, were much more intricate being made entirely by hand thus prohibitively expensive for the American market --- Does that phenomenon sound familiar?
At any rate, this rare and unusual revolver is of absolutely impeccable quality throughout, mechanically perfect, and remains in extremely fine condition. Cased in the original walnut case with some accessories not original to the gun. The bullet mould, patch cutter, and cleaning rod may be correct. Complete with the rare original leather outer cover.
Interestingly, the hammer and each nipple are offset to the right so as not to interfere with the sighting line the rear notch of which is formed by the left side of the cocked hammer and a notch in the nipple guard.
Another unusual feature is that the loading end of each chamber is chamfered slightly and the barrel breech is tapered slightly to fit within the chamber. When the hammer is cocked the cylinder is retracted rearward slightly during rotation allowing a few thousandths of an inch clearance between the barrel breech and forward end of the cylinder like a Colt. However, as the hammer is falling, the entire cylinder is moved forward about .060” allowing the barrel taper to fit tightly into the chamfered mouth of the chamber providing a gas-tight seal. This was a very innovative solution to the problem of multiple discharges which was not an uncommon feature with many revolver designs including that of Sam Colt. At least one downfall of that concept had to be that, compared to the relatively inexpensive machine made Colt firearms, the English designs, including this one, were much more intricate being made entirely by hand thus prohibitively expensive for the American market --- Does that phenomenon sound familiar?
At any rate, this rare and unusual revolver is of absolutely impeccable quality throughout, mechanically perfect, and remains in extremely fine condition. Cased in the original walnut case with some accessories not original to the gun. The bullet mould, patch cutter, and cleaning rod may be correct. Complete with the rare original leather outer cover.