Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 11th November 2017, 10:15 PM

I agree, a beautiful gun, and a most unusual firing arrangement.
It does seem that many firearms from Belgium came into the US during the 1860s onward, and of course New York was one main arrival point. There was the huge influx of 'Zulu' shotguns coming in from Belgium which were apparently converted from surplus French muskets.

It would seem the potential for simultaneous firing of all charges would be horrendously likely, and as noted, with disastrous results to the shooter.
I understand that the well known 'pepperbox' pistols had a certain reputation for having this unfortunate action at times.

I saw in a museum in Cody, Wyoming a revolver which had one of these multiple detonations, and noted its fatal result.

Just the same, a beautiful gun, and interesting 'firearm curiosa'!

11th November 2017, 10:15 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,731	I agree, a beautiful gun, and a most unusual firing arrangement. It does seem that many firearms from Belgium came into the US during the 1860s onward, and of course New York was one main arrival point. There was the huge influx of 'Zulu' shotguns coming in from Belgium which were apparently converted from surplus French muskets. It would seem the potential for simultaneous firing of all charges would be horrendously likely, and as noted, with disastrous results to the shooter. I understand that the well known 'pepperbox' pistols had a certain reputation for having this unfortunate action at times. I saw in a museum in Cody, Wyoming a revolver which had one of these multiple detonations, and noted its fatal result. Just the same, a beautiful gun, and interesting 'firearm curiosa'!