Death of a Rolling Block/ What was he thinking?

allen griggs · September 30, 2007 06:55

quote: This accident was at the beginning of September in Sweden.
The shooter was killed.

These photos come from the Swedish state forensics laboratory.
They want these photos widely shared as a warning.
Feel free to spread them around if you feel the need.

Below is a quote from Petter in Sweden based on what
preliminary information he received and his observation
based on his experience with rolling block rifles.

[begin quote]

The 24-year old brought this old rolling block, a sporterized m/1867 HVA
made in 1872 to the range. Along with it he brought some old ammo of
unknown age and background, that apparently came with the rifle.

I don't know whether the rifle was his, or something he found on
grandpa's attic. Likely the latter.

For the first shot he tied the rifle down and fired it by a string to the
trigger. First shot went off OK, so he prepared to commence the shooting
offhand. But on shot no. 2 something went wrong, as you can see from the
pictures. Something caused an overpressure that cracked the receiver ring
and the action, split the the breech in two and sending the larger part of
it flying rearwards with such force that it penetrates the right eye and
zygomatic bone, causing such damage that he dies two days after having
been sent to the hospital.

This is what we know at the moment. The police technicians are working
on the rifle as we speak, and the result of the investigation might take
another month. But it is quite obvious that something created a massive
overpressure. One might suspect that something lodged in the barrel on
that first shot. The report doesn't state if he hit anything with that first
round, or if he inspected the barrel between the shots.

There are, however, plenty of room for theories here...

Check out the ammo in the picture. These were recovered at the scene.

The 12,7x44R's are most likely old handloads. Loaded with what,
and when? Note the variation in seating depth of the bullets.
Something that often occurs with this type of ammo when it has been
rattling about in bags, pockets and drawers for some 50 years or so.
And if BP loaded, that powder should be mighty dry by now...

Interesting curio ammo for show'n'tell, but definitely not for shooting.
The ammo on the left isn't even of the right caliber (if the chamber is
still original), but seems to be some short .500 Express cartridge. If he
managed to squeeze one of those into the chamber and close the
breech behing it the effect would surely be.. interesting. ..

The rifle itself (again judging from the pictures only) was obviously in
less than adequate condition even before the accident. Judging by his
proceedings at the range and by the ammo he brought there, I reckon
he didn't have it inspected by anyone qualified before shooting it, and I
venture to say that he wasn't qualified to do the judgement himself either.
Many many of the rifles looking like this that I've had a chance to inspect
(we're talking 100's here), almost without exception have some problem or
other that makes them possibly unsafe. Heavily pitted barrels, loose pivot
pins and excessive play in the breech block are the most common problems.
In this action type, the two latter compromises the integrity of the action,
by
causing, among other things, excessive headspace. And excessive headspace
in a rolling block is not a good thing!

So whatever caused the overpressure, gas blew backwards and outwards,
cracking the receiver in the process. Enough gas penetrated the firing pin
hole, causing a "hammer slap", i e pushing the hammer to the rear enough to
throw the breech block open. By the powerful rearward thrust, the breech
opened so violently that the impact at the backstop caused it to break in
two across the pivot pin hole area, sending the rear piece flying rearwards
and causing the physical damage.

That's my take on the details. Comment if you see it differently.

This is a bit of a freak accident really, although the type is not unheard
of. The gun looks, at a quick glance, fairly unscathed, were it not for that
lethal piece of steel broke in two. Actually, had the blast been even more
powerful I believe the shooter might have been alive today. A little more
radial strain on that receiver and the sides would have blown out, less
thrust would have been thrown upon the breech block, and it would probably
had been left hanging on the pivot pin. This is what makes me think dried
out black powder. When I first heard of the accident I immediately thought
"too much and too fast powder", but when I saw the pictures I changed my
mind.

With this being a 12,7 mm m/1867 rifle, it might not be directly connected
to what is discussed in this thread. But it does have some merit, and a
lesson for us all, in what might actually happen when things go wrong with a
rolling block. There simply is no room for errors here.

I can see a new debate starting in Sweden now. The authorities are usually
very quick and alert when they see a chance to ban another gun, whatever
the reason might be.

So will I stop shooting my rollers after this? Do I believe this guns are,
in general, unreliable and unsafe?

The answer is no, in both instances.
A Rolling block in good condition, and fed with the appropriate ammunition
is a very fine, simple and reliable gun. But, like any other mechanical
device, when pushed to do something that it was not designed to do,
something will break.

Stupidity, ignorance and sheer lack of knowledge is man's worst enemy...

Also, use good quality shooting glasses at all times. They might save your
eyesight and even your life one day...

I will add some blow-ups of the pictures just as soon as I get to the other
computer.

Sorry about the lengthy post. I guess no-one will manage to read through my
broken technical English with any coherence, but I needed to get that off my
chest...

Pettson

Death of a Rolling Block/ What was he thinking?

Comments

Recent Activity