“Tag: This Old Gun”

By the latter part of the 1830s, most of the major powers finally let practicality overcome economy, realizing that it was time to switch their small arms over from flintlock to percussion. Britain and France were among the earliest, with the United States following suit in short order—the Americans fielding the handsome Model of 1842.

Christian Sharps is probably best remembered for his famous Sharps falling-block, breechloading, single-shot rifle, which he patented on Sept. 12, 1848. But a little more than a year later, on Dec. 18, 1849, he also patented an equally innovative four-barreled derringer.

Read about Merwin Hulbert revolvers from the September 2005 archives of American Rifleman.

Winchester was one of the first manufacturers to jump into the low-cost bolt-action .22 market with its John Browning-designed Model 1900, a design that would carry on for subsequent generations of Winchester single-shot .22 rifles, including one of the most prolific, the Model 67.

Designed by Paul Mauser, the Modelo 1893, adopted by the Spanish on Dec. 7, 1893, was a superb arm—the first of its breed to have a box magazine entirely enclosed within the stock.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then a lot of firearm flattery has emanated from the People’s Republic of China. While developing some of its own unique firearm designs, the country is also known for making copies of everything from C96 Mauser “Broomhandle” pistols to Thompson submachine guns.

In the mid-19th century—just as in today’s world—citizens were clamoring for a concealable, reliable and affordable handgun. Ironically, inspired by the acceptance of his massive .44-cal. 1847 Walker and First Model 1848 Dragoon, the enterprising Sam Colt sensed an opportunity.

J.P. Sauer & Sohn of Suhl is the oldest firearm manufacturer in Germany, having been founded in 1751, has produced all manner of firearms, including self-loading pistols such as the Selbstlade-Pistole Modell 1913.

Although he probably didn’t plan it, when New England shirtmaker Oliver Fisher Winchester acquired the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. in 1857 and re-named it the New Haven Arms Co., he ended up dramatically altering firearm technology, helped settle the American West and subsequently created a legacy that continues to this day.