Greeting Gents,

Following on from my (first post) 'introducing me and my 19'. I was so impressed with not only the wonderful reception but all the lovely revolvers shared by the membership but also felt a little bad that I only had one S&W to share pictures of (hoping that will change in the near future).

So just for a little fun I thought I would once again share my model 19 but this time pictured alongside a 'slightly' early (non S&W revolver). It struck me that 'simultaneous' extraction i.e. the swing out cylinder is something we really take for granted these day but of course there was a time when such a concept was the new development in handgun technology with no real standardized adoption.

Before the ubiquitous 'swing out cylinder & star extraction' system became the norm there were a number of ingenious systems. Here in the US the Merwin & Hulbert comes to mind, however back home in England the Thomas Patent system (manufactured by Tipping & Lawden) was one of the more interesting and lesser known method of 'automatic' or simultaneous extraction and like the M&H only spent cases were extracted.

Anyway just a bit of fun and another excuse (if one were need) to share my only S&W.

Cheerio,

Roy

Attached Images

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I have not given much thought to simultaneous extraction verses non simultaneous extraction as all I have ever known is simultaneous extraction

Even with the simultaneous extraction of the modern swing out cylinder revolver, revolver shooters are taught (or should be taught) to hold the revolver with the barrel pointing up before pushing the extractor rod. This will lesson the chance of a case ending up between the extractor star and the cylinder. This is not a good thing if you are trying to make a fast reload.

I am intrigued by the second revolver in your photo. What is it?

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Ken

Prior to the Hand Ejectors (the correct name for a Swing out S&W), Smith and Wesson featured simultaneous extraction with their Top Break revolvers. With the top break when you opened the pistol a spring loaded mechanism would give all 5 or 6 cases a bit of a "pop" strong enough to eject the casings if you had the cylinder horizontal or pointing down. In a way very similar to today's premium O/U or S x S shotguns.

Thank you gents for your interesting observations.

I find firearms development really interesting. So much of what we take for granted on 'modern' firearms was developed and evolved not that long ago. The process of how such concepts were worked out and the designers that made it happen is endlessly fascinating to me.

Before the ubiquitous 'swing-out' cylinder and of course the 'top-break' (S&W & Webley) became the standard we had the Galand in Europe, Merwin & Hulbert in the US and the Thomas system in England - the latter is what is shown above. The revolver being a rare Thomas Patent made by Tipping & Lawden (who were bought out by Webley in 1887), I have an original patent (shown with the revolver below).

To operate it, one released a catch and with the knob below the barrel, turns the whole barrel assembly and moved it forward. This pulls the cylinder forward just enough so as the empty cased drop free.

Needless to say none of these three systems survived into modern times but a fascinating footnote in the developmental history of 'simultaneous extraction'.

Cheerio,

Roy

Attached Images

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Take simultaneous ejection for granted? Nope...

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No life story has happy end.

Hi Art Doc,

That is one lovely trip there. Thank you for sharing.

Cheers,

Roy