Blunt & Syms RC Pepperbox
I could hardly contain myself when this Blunt & Syms RC rolled in with a group of We Buy Guns firearms. It represents one of the earliest repeating handgun designs. Commonly known as a “pepperbox,” this handgun style dates to the 1700s and uses manually rotating barrels and a flintlock system.
In the early 1800s, a man named Alexander Forsyth had a profound impact on firearm technology with his percussion cap patent. At the expiry of his patent in the 1820s, this rotating barrel handgun got an upgrade. The expensive design was previously limited to the wealthy and high-class folk; however, at the expiration of the patent, the handgun design entered mass production.
Blunt & Syms in New York manufactured this handgun in several different calibers (like .28 and .31) from the late 1830s into the 1850s. By the mid 1800s, the percussion cap led to designs like the Colt 1851 Navy revolver that rapidly decreased reload time while improving the safety and accuracy of the handgun. The aging Blunt & Syms RC began to phase out with introductions of these more modern handguns.
Regardless of the short-lived manufacturing period, this handgun represented the early age of concealed carry. It marked a turn in technology that didn't limit the user to just two shots for personal defense. And, most importantly, it looks cool.
Winchester Model 1873
The Winchester Model 1873 is perhaps one of the most iconic firearms in American history. Affectionately known as “the gun that won the West,” it marked a shift in technology that accelerated the effectiveness of the rifle design.
In 1860, Henry released the 1860 Henry repeating rifle. This lever-action rifle drastically changed firearms, tactics, and war itself. The ability to hold multiple rounds that could be fired in chambered and rapid succession was a major upgrade over the slow, single-shot, muzzleloading firearms of the time.
In 1866, Winchester released its own version of the lever-action rifle: the Winchester Model 1866. The new Winchester featured an improved magazine and a wooden forearm that extended over the magazine tube and part of the barrel. It was a major improvement over the 1860 Henry, which had exposed metal for the support hand, which could lead to burns during long sessions of fire.
The 1873 Design
A few years later, the Winchester 1866 got an upgrade with the introduction of the Winchester Model 1873. This new lever-action rifle featured a steel frame and was chambered for Winchester’s first centerfire rifle cartridge, a powerful round for the time: the .44-40 Winchester. This new rifle design was adopted by the United States military and found its way into the hands of just about every serious American shooter, including the Native Americans.
While the design of this rifle is incredibly interesting, it is not uncommon. The rifle was produced from 1873 to the early 1920s and is still commonly found. What makes this particular rifle interesting is that it was manufactured in 1875, the second year of production. To put that in perspective, that’s a year before Custer’s battle at Little Bighorn, Wild Bill Hickok was still alive, and the light bulb wouldn't be invented for another four years.
For its age, the rifle is in incredible shape. Not only does this Winchester mark a turn in technology, it is one of the earliest representations of the 1873, as it is numbered as one of the first 5,000 rifles produced in this design. If only this rifle could talk, what stories it would tell of America over the past 149 years!
Carl Gustaf Stads M/1894-14
The newest firearm in this group was manufactured in 1918, the last year of production of the Swedish M/1894 rifle produced by Carl Gustaf Stads. The Swedish Mauser is often regarded as one of the most accurate and well-built Mausers ever produced. In fact, this rifle design and its 6.5 Swedish cartridge remain popular choices for hunters in Europe.
As with the other firearms in my August picks, this rifle marks an upgrade in technology. The firearms world was rapidly changing in the 1890s as smokeless powder became the standard propellant for cartridges. With the introduction of the 1886 Lebel in France, smokeless powder proved faster, more accurate, and farther-reaching than its black powder predecessor.
In 1894, the Swedes introduced the 6.5 Swede, their first smokeless powder cartridge. In fact, this is the grandparent cartridge to the modern 6.5 Creedmoor, which has taken precision rifle shooting by storm.
Related: 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 6.5 Swede – New Kid on the Block Challenges 130-year Veteran
Previously, rifles had to have extremely long barrels to allow the slow-burning black powder enough time and space to propel a rifle cartridge at a high velocity. The much more efficient smokeless powder allowed for the elimination of the long barrel, and the Swedes introduced the M/1894 carbine with a licensed Mauser action.
Unfortunately, it took Sweden a while to get production up and running, so for the first few years, the rifle was produced in Germany at places like Mauser and Oberndorf. The Swedes began producing the rifle between 1895 and 1898, but production had an odd cycle. In the years of 1902, 1905, 1908, and 1909-1913, the Swedes simply did not manufacture any M/1894 carbines. In 1918, mainline production ceased, and around 111,000 rifles were manufactured in Sweden. This rifle is marked 1918 – the last year of production.
M/1894-14 Design
The rifle shows beautiful craftsmanship and meticulous manufacturing practices, as the over 100-year-old rifle looks like it was pulled out of the arsenal yesterday. The Mauser-style action is unique, as it is “cock on close” as opposed to almost every other Mauser that is “cock on open.” The only other Mauser action that I am aware of with this same anomaly is the Japanese Arisaka design. The action features the three-position safety and the fast Mauser release mechanism for easily removing the bolt for cleaning.
The M/1894-14 has a unique hood design around the muzzle. Similar to that of the Lee-Enfield, this hood is designed to bear the weight of the bayonet and prevent interference with barrel harmonics, point of aim, and point of impact.
The rifle is engraved with Swedish crowns and even has a metal disk on the buttstock noting the condition of the bore and rifling. A ranging plate stands as a crude “door chart” for taking accurate shots at distance.
This was one of the first carbines to see primary service in the Swedish military, predating the carbine trend that did not catch on with other countries until the 1930s. Not only is it ahead of its time, it’s also one of the most artistically crafted firearms of its time. What an absolute treat to see a rifle of this design from the last year of its production.
Summary
While none of these firearms are modern, by any means, they represent different eras of technology and improvement. Each marks an important step in advancing firearms concepts and designs.
Now, I am spoiled rotten because I can see beauties like these daily here at the Guns.com warehouse. But you can keep tabs on the recently added inventory so you don't miss out.
History is only as good as it is remembered. While it’s fun to enjoy the modern amenities of firearms, it’s important to appreciate their history, and it’s a joy to do so. Whether new, old, or in-between, the most important thing is to hit the range and train. Master the craft and keep your powder dry.
