The Saint
Private
- Joined
- May 10, 2022
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
Recently picked up a large collection of 200ish predominantly antique pistols (yes, I am calling revolvers pistols in term with 19th century termage) and long guns. This one stood out to me as a keeper due to the extreme scarcity and low survival rate of these gals. While definitely not an issued weapon of the war...these would have almost certainly snuck in in small numbers privately used, from the manufacture dates being slightly before-mid war. William Irving Pocket models were about 2100 total production, this being a 2nd Model Steel Frame which accounts for the bulk (~1500) of them. Made by James Reid known for his "My Friend" Knuckleduster; these are competent Whitney Pocket clones.
With a 10 grain charge, which about fills the chambers, and a .320 round ball...a total of 18 shots at the 12 yard line resulted in what I would call a respectful group for a ~165 year old piece. My POA was my thumb in the picture, as I expected it to shoot quite high, as all these old revolvers usually do. The sights are very poor and borderline useless unless strictly slow fire shooting, similar to those of a Colt 1849 or said Whitney with the hammer notch. With proper sights I am confident this group would be tighter, but for a pocket gun?...yeah, it's perfectly fine.
Either way, it's another cool one for the collection.
With a 10 grain charge, which about fills the chambers, and a .320 round ball...a total of 18 shots at the 12 yard line resulted in what I would call a respectful group for a ~165 year old piece. My POA was my thumb in the picture, as I expected it to shoot quite high, as all these old revolvers usually do. The sights are very poor and borderline useless unless strictly slow fire shooting, similar to those of a Colt 1849 or said Whitney with the hammer notch. With proper sights I am confident this group would be tighter, but for a pocket gun?...yeah, it's perfectly fine.
Either way, it's another cool one for the collection.
Bringing the