[TorpX]

The top one is a Centennial Arms replica of a Colt 1860 New Model Army in .44 cal. It was issued in 1960. a Centennial thing, and I purchased it then. The last time I fired it 5 of the six cylinders went off at the same time. It's called "flash over" I believe. The only thing that saved me from serious injury was the cylinder on the bottom didn't go off, that one shoots directly into the frame.

I believe the usual term is "chain-fire". I've read that many old pieces have lead smears on the frame from this type of misfire. In case anybody doesn't know this already,a grease or lard "patch" is placed over the ball in each cylinder to prevent this. Even so, they still occured from time to time. This also explains why shooters did not use a two-hand hold, like is usual today. One would certainly not want to have any fingers sticking out in front of the cylinder with those guns!



If I ever get my camera fixed, maybe I'll post some pics of my favorite shootin' irons.