Just stumbled upon video about 1861 Navy, split barrel .
Apparently, guy forgot to put the powder, or powder didn't ignite, bullet got logged in the barrel, and when second chamber with powder was fired, bullet hit first one and barrel cracked almost full length
I know about two revolvers with same problem, but barrels didn't split, they were just ringed. One of them was Webley Mk VI, WS Target, with 7.5" barrel https://media.joesalter.com/ca/large/C1642/C1642-02.jpg , quite rare. I had a chance to purchase it, and was shocked and sadden when was told about barrel condition. Anyhow, Webley is not as very sturdy revolver as new solid frame ones, and has relatively thin barrel wall, and yet, it didn't snap the latch, nor split barrel.
Regarding 1861 Navy, I don't think that that this revolver is any stronger than Webley, and barrel is certainly thicker about twice, yet it cracked like a firewood. Something is very wrong here! It doesn't look that pressure was too high. Wedge is not shown, but central pin looks is still in place, and it didn't crack in the weakest point, where is the slot for wedge.
So, seems to me that the culprit here is weak and brittle steel of the barrel. Any other opinion?
Apparently, guy forgot to put the powder, or powder didn't ignite, bullet got logged in the barrel, and when second chamber with powder was fired, bullet hit first one and barrel cracked almost full length
I know about two revolvers with same problem, but barrels didn't split, they were just ringed. One of them was Webley Mk VI, WS Target, with 7.5" barrel https://media.joesalter.com/ca/large/C1642/C1642-02.jpg , quite rare. I had a chance to purchase it, and was shocked and sadden when was told about barrel condition. Anyhow, Webley is not as very sturdy revolver as new solid frame ones, and has relatively thin barrel wall, and yet, it didn't snap the latch, nor split barrel.
Regarding 1861 Navy, I don't think that that this revolver is any stronger than Webley, and barrel is certainly thicker about twice, yet it cracked like a firewood. Something is very wrong here! It doesn't look that pressure was too high. Wedge is not shown, but central pin looks is still in place, and it didn't crack in the weakest point, where is the slot for wedge.
So, seems to me that the culprit here is weak and brittle steel of the barrel. Any other opinion?
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