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Breech loading guns ?

Endlss
Any experts have the date of the first breech loading guns?
I have been asked about breech loading blackpowder guns, as in no cartridge.
When was the first cartridge gun made ?

If I can't smoke cigars in heaven...I will not go. Mark Twain
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • perry shooter
    The first Breach loaders were BLACK POWDER with a percussion cap. The first self contained cartridge gun in the USA I think was the 22 short RIMFIRE from 1857 but the 22BB cap was from 1845
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  • Endlss
    Thanks perry shooter.
    Just to ask, There is no way a breech loading gun could be without a cartridge? right?
    As in an opening breech to pour powder in and then seat the bullet.

    If I can't smoke cigars in heaven...I will not go. Mark Twain
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  • Tailgunner1954
    Research the Furgason(sp) rifle, circa 1780? IRRC It used the trigger guard to raise/lower a screw that blocked the rear of the barrel.
    The Sharps rifle (late Civil war era) was another early breach loader that used a rising block to shear off the back of a paper cartridge (and could be loaded with ball and loose powder, if cartridges wern't available)

    Whittemore
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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  • gruntled
    Don't forget the U.S. Hall breechloading rifle.

    http://www.moreau.com/WMCatalog/Content/Longarms/DescJPGS.html/1903-19J.html
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    Don't forget the Burnside......

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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  • Dean Cascio
    At the time of the American Revolution didn't some American develop a multi-shot breechloader rifle that chain fired a couple of rounds after the first shot? Also aren't revolvers considered breach loaders? Your filling the breech area arn't you, without going through the barrel.
    Dean
    [:p]

    If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?
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  • v35
    I believe breech loading goes back to the middle ages in small arms and in cannon.
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  • Iroquois Scout
    Gentlemen,
    Only v35 had the correct answer. Breech loading firearms date from the Middle Ages. When divers were salvaging the wreak of the 'Mary Rose' a ship owned by Henry VIII, they found breech loading cannon. These cannon consisted of a tube open at both ends with one end counterbored for a chamber that contained the powder and shot. The chamber was placed into the counter bore and then held in place with wooden wedges. This made a lot of sense for Naval warfare do to the limited space aboard ship. However, this type of breech loading gun was first seen in the mid 1300's. The down side to this type of gun and in fact all breech loading guns until the invention of the self contained cartridge, was gas leakage at the breech end.
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