How do you like pepper boxes ?

[Jim McDougall]

Fearn, thank you so much for sharing that colorful piece of Americana, which really adds contemporary dimension to our understanding these guns! I really love that quote as well! Its amazing how much history Mr. Twain has preserved for us.
Fernando, thank you for again adding beautiful examples of these weapons, and always sharing your prespective on them. It is great learning so much on firearms here since the forum has begun, and I am always impressed with the explanations and detail you add.

It seems I had once heard the bit about pepperboxes exploding in the manner described (perhaps an explanation for their very descriptive nickname?), but could not recall where it was that information came from. Again, Fearn I really appreciate you citing that quote, which presents at least one source, and I'm sure there are others in firearms lore.

Not being familiar with firearms, I am still unclear on how simultaneous detonation in multiple chambers of a revolver could occur (not disagreeing as obviously this event did occasionally take place). It is quite clear how having the barrels with unobstructed exit prevented tragedy to the person firing it, but how would the detonation reach all the barrels without striking the percussion caps. Would not the detonation flash from the charge in the barrel of the moment be contained?

This phenomenon is an interesting one in looking into the dynamics of firearms, which becomes more and more interesting with you guys presenting all these great examples and discussion, so please bear with me

Thank you so much,
All the best,
Jim