POTD: Very Rare Hall 15 Round Percussion Revolving Rifle
Sam.S 06.18.21
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have another oddity in our little POTD segment. I found very little information on Alexander Hall and this specific rifle; however, this is a great excuse to mention that revolving rifles and carbines were produced time and time again, but have one giant flaw: chain firing can hurt you. I know that is short and sweet so allow me to elaborate. When regular muzzleloading revolvers in the form of a handgun chain-fire most likely the shooter will be alright and the gun has more potential to be put out of commission. With revolving rifles or carbines an outstretched hand rests to support the long barrel and if all chambers of the cylinder start going boom on their own you can just as well say “bye-bye arm!”
“Produced circa 1855 by Alexander Hall of New York. An unknown quantity of these rifles were made, with no makers marks present on this example. Bead and notch sight, with a concealed in-line hammer, large trigger guard, manual cylinder catch, and a brass frame with border engraving and decorative scrollwork. Equipped with a large 15 chamber iron cylinder. Smooth straight grip stock, with silver decorative panels cut in the shapes of a fish, deer and hunter on the right side, fish and eagle on the left, brass disc numbered “432” on the underside and an engraved brass buttplate.
-Rock Island Auction Company”
Lot 167: Very Rare Hall 15 Round Percussion Revolving Rifle [Photograph found in Auction Catalog #50, Rock Island Auction Company]. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2021, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/50/167/very-rare-hall-15-round-percussion-revolving-rifle
