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Front loader dbl action revolver .575cal ?

robertchambers
Can anyone identify the maker or origin of this double action revlover? The bore measures .575 and is rifled (5 lands and 5 grooves) with a four inch barrel length. The are no makers marks, only a serial number 2xx. There are no proof marks of any kind which suggests American manufacture. The ignition system is unlike any I have seen. Note the firing pin attached to the hammer protrudes well into the cylinder. Can anyone explain this ignition system? Wasn't the advent of double action revolvers well into the cartridge era? Many Thanks Bob Chambers

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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • upjumtddebl
    the plate on the back of the cylinder resembles a English Patent "Deane's optional rimfire adaptation" something to do with going back and forth between rimfire and percussion using different cylinders on the same gun.
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  • rufe-snow
    It appears to be a Model 1866 Philip Webley & Son. (original Bulldog). This basic pattern was continued over the years but with smaller revolvers, both size and caliber wise. Absence of any markings is very puzzling though? The Limeys specially the Webleys always marked and proofed all their commercial firearms. Possibility it was a prototype or patent model never meant for commercial sale?

    Spain was the only firearms manufacturing country in Europe that didn't require proofing of firearms. The made knock-offs of a lot of the latter smaller caliber British Bulldog type revolvers. The caliber and workmanship of your revolver make me question it's Spanish origin though?
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  • hrf
    It's a Tranter .577 made by Tipping & Lawden, and not a front loader: The chambers are recessed and the backplate on the cylinder was removed for loading (probably frozen on yours).

    http://www.firearmsmuseum.org.au/Survey/images-577.htm

    Ref: Tranter Cartridge Firearms by Joel Black, Kerry Guerin, and Richard Michaud, 2007 (out of print)
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  • robertchambers
    Yes,
    The backplate does come off!!! but why no touch marks or proof marks?
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  • joel_black
    HRF is correct. It is a Tranter .577CF. If you closely exam the periphery of the cylinder you should see tiny proof marks.
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  • hrf
    quote:Originally posted by robertchambers
    Yes,
    The backplate does come off!!! but why no touch marks or proof marks?


    The Birmingham proofs are tiny and sometimes partly polished off in the finishing, but it looks like maybe one is visible at rear of center chamber, top photo?
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  • upjumtddebl
    the holes in the backplate look closer to a rimfire design, are they?
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  • robertchambers
    The back plate is definitely for a center fire...and yes there is a tiny proof mark on each of the six chambers...it looks like a Birmingham mark...tomorrow I will take macro photos in the daylight and post them in this thread...thanks to all for identifying this piece so quickly
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  • robertchambers
    I couldn't get those tiny proofs in focus...but here are the photos of the rest

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    Thanks again...Bob
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    so...how does it shoot?...........[:D]
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