CIVIL WAR question..Ballard .44 rimfire single shot

CutlassCollector · 23rd July 2025, 11:38 AM

Google tells me that speed loaders were invented in 1879.
Strange how they did not make it into our TV cop shows or movies until a hundred years later!

I don't know for sure whether there were cartridge pistols with quick change cylinders, but as some percussion guns were converted it seems likely. The need, however, would be much reduced as bullets could be reloaded much more quickly.
It would be highly unlikely that a percussion revolver could be reloaded in the midst of an action.

It takes all the actions of any muzzle loader. Powder in, ball in, ramrod, wad - even for one chamber multiply by six for a full load. Then the fiddly bit of getting a percussion cap on to each nipple - hopefully with the aid of a dispenser.

The percussion revolver also had an additional requirement - each loaded chamber had to be sealed with grease. This was to prevent any discharge setting off another or all the other chambers, as the ignition flash was so close, as a part of it exited at the junction between chamber and barrel.
This not good for the gun or your hand.

23rd July 2025, 11:38 AM	#15
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 366	Google tells me that speed loaders were invented in 1879. Strange how they did not make it into our TV cop shows or movies until a hundred years later! I don't know for sure whether there were cartridge pistols with quick change cylinders, but as some percussion guns were converted it seems likely. The need, however, would be much reduced as bullets could be reloaded much more quickly. It would be highly unlikely that a percussion revolver could be reloaded in the midst of an action. It takes all the actions of any muzzle loader. Powder in, ball in, ramrod, wad - even for one chamber multiply by six for a full load. Then the fiddly bit of getting a percussion cap on to each nipple - hopefully with the aid of a dispenser. The percussion revolver also had an additional requirement - each loaded chamber had to be sealed with grease. This was to prevent any discharge setting off another or all the other chambers, as the ignition flash was so close, as a part of it exited at the junction between chamber and barrel. This not good for the gun or your hand.