P53 Trigger pull question

[Saphroneth]

The peculiarity here is that the Pattern 1853 was the primary weapon during the rollout of the Hythe musketry program, and that program specifically enjoins the rifleman to press the trigger - take up all the slack and then press the trigger with as minimal a movement as possible - and it considered a man who could only reliably hit targets at 300 yards to be a failing grade that needed extra work to make sure he got better.

So I certainly don't think this is a weapon that was either not built for marksmanship or incapable of performing for marksmanship. The design was clearly capable of it.

 

[Old Soldier]

The peculiarity here is that the Pattern 1853 was the primary weapon during the rollout of the Hythe musketry program, and that program specifically enjoins the rifleman to press the trigger - take up all the slack and then press the trigger with as minimal a movement as possible - and it considered a man who could only reliably hit targets at 300 yards to be a failing grade that needed extra work to make sure he got better.

So I certainly don't think this is a weapon that was either not built for marksmanship or incapable of performing for marksmanship. The design was clearly capable of it.

There was a requirement in British military marksmanship at the time of introduction that required a certain percentage of hits (40%?) on a 6'x2' target at 600 yards for ALL soldiers and 80% at 300 yards. It included all the 'old' principles in natural alignment, breathing control, hold, sight alignment and follw-through. You cannot do that without a decent trigger.

 

[Saphroneth]

BTW - the British solder was not an 'illiterate peasant' in 1850 nor was he considered as such by the designers.

If they were a simple farmer it might actually have been seen as a benefit by the chaps at Hythe - they are on record as saying that the ideal trainee is effectively a lad straight from the plough, given a month or so of drill, and then taught shooting.

 

[Joe Whitworth]

The question might then be the manufacture and availability of high capacity weapons.

Bloody Bill Anderson carried 6 Colt Navy's for his mass shooting, replacing one empty six shooter with another. Likewise small capacity magzines can be quickly changed in rifles or pistols. You can change the magazine's capacity but not the nuts that misuse the firearm.

 

[Old Soldier]

If they were a simple farmer it might actually have been seen as a benefit by the chaps at Hythe - they are on record as saying that the ideal trainee is effectively a lad straight from the plough, given a month or so of drill, and then taught shooting.

Even so , 'simple farmer' is not the same as 'peasant'. Nowhere near.

 

[Old Soldier]

Bloody Bill Anderson carried 6 Colt Navy's for his mass shooting, replacing one empty six shooter with another. Likewise small capacity magzines can be quickly changed in rifles or pistols. You can change the magazine's capacity but not the nuts that misuse the firearm.

Six Colt Navys are quite some package to carry - never mind re-load.

 

[Saphroneth]

Even so , 'simple farmer' is not the same as 'peasant'. Nowhere near.

Perhaps - it's a little hard to disentangle the differences, but I'd certainly agree that the Agricultural Revolution in Britain had effectively eroded away the peasantry and they were largely something else by the 1850s.

I'd argue to also be careful about assuming that peasants are incapable of becoming good troops if well drilled - the Roman Empire was built off the military service of free peasant Romans, generally rich enough to buy their own armour but still recognizably peasantry...

 

[Rhea Cole]

Bloody Bill Anderson carried 6 Colt Navy's for his mass shooting, replacing one empty six shooter with another. Likewise small capacity magzines can be quickly changed in rifles or pistols. You can change the magazine's capacity but not the nuts that misuse the firearm.

The 4th Century BCE Chinese Zhuge crossbow had a 60 shots / minute rate of fire. The 12 bolt magazine was simplicity itself to reload.

1850-1864 the Taiping Rebellion in China killed between 20,000,000 & 30,000,000 people.

1864-74 War of the Triple Alliance killed 80% of the population of Paraguay. Argentinian Pampas warrior auxiliaries were armed with wooden clubs.

As Joe Witworth states, it is the intent to do harm that initiates the violence. The gun, crossbow or club is the instrument that inflicts the pain.

 

[Viper21]

***Please avoid modern/hot button topics. Several posts have been deleted for such.***

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

Try a SMLE - you got 10 rounds then - if it is allowed in Canadistan.

Its allowed, but I hunt during muzzlloader season so I can't be carrying a centerfire/modern ammo firearm with me (bears or no bears). I also carry bear spray, but that doesn't always work especially if the bear and the wind is in your face.