Interesting 19th century pistol

[Danjet500]

Short video of a 40 shot "chain" pistol


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SgghWnZgJd0&feature=youtu.be

 

[Paul B]

Cool.
Paul B.

 

[Kevin]

Interesting. He points out it's serial number 58. I didn't think serial numbers were put on old guns. Why would they have cared about putting a serial number on one way back then?

 

[NikA]

Interesting. He points out it's serial number 58. I didn't think serial numbers were put on old guns. Why would they have cared about putting a serial number on one way back then?

Before truly interchangeable parts manufacturing (which in the arms industry dates to approximately WWII), many parts of a firearm needed to be hand fitted. Serializing the gun and it's parts helps keep track of them during the manufacturing process.

A lot of older guns have assembly numbers for this instead of serial numbers, and some have both. Possible because some assemblies were fitted independently of the final product.

 

[Kevin]

NikA:
Hey thanks, that makes a lot of sense. And this gun, if the number was 58, it’s probably more of an assembly number than a true serial number.

 

[eveled]

It may or may not be a serial number. But lots of things have serial numbers that didn’t need to. Watches come to mind. Even some knives.

 

[RSIno1]

Serial numbers were optional before 1968. A lot of higher end rifles and handguns had serial numbers earlier. My Marlin 22 I bought in 1968 doesn't have a serial number.

My first gun held 100 shots - I guess you'd call it belt fed.