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I have recently been reading an excellent and
in-depth book about the history and use of percussion pistols
and revolvers. When received, I started to give it a quick
thumb-through and keep it nearby to finish later. It did not
work out that way. I have now finished reading the book, and
re-read parts of it. The book, titled Percussion Pistols
And Revolvers, was written by Mike Cumpston and Johnny
Bates.
know very little about Mr. Bates, but
Cumpston is a very well-known gun writer, and is an occasional
Gunblast contributor. Mike Cumpston has also written for many of
the major gun magazines, but hey, we’ve all done things that
we’re ashamed of. No one can turn a phrase quite like Mike
Cumpston. He is one of the most interesting conversationalists
that you might ever meet, and his expertise with the English
language shows in this book. While the book is very informative,
it is also entertaining, and holds the attention of the reader
very well. The subject matter covers just about every example of
the better percussion handguns in history, and follows through
with instructions on the loading, firing, cleaning, and
maintenance of the weapons.
The book is laced with black and white photos
throughout to illustrate the writer’s points, and also
contains loading tables with ballistic results for most of the
arms reviewed, to fully illustrate the power of these weapons.
The subject matter ranges from the earliest single shot pistols
through the great old Colts and Remingtons,
and includes replicas and modern cap and ball sixguns, such as
the Ruger Old Army. The illustrations in the book show
the relationship of the internal parts, and the authors explain
a few easy modifications to keep the guns running and make them
easier to shoot well. While many shooters are not really into
cap and ball revolvers or percussion pistols, the book still
contains a wealth of knowledge relating to the history,
function, and heritage of modern weapons. For shooters who do
shoot these old guns and their replicas, this book is a goldmine
of good information. For those who are thinking about getting
their first cap and ball revolver, this will be the best money
that you could ever spend. Shooting these types of handguns is a
whole different shooting experience, and this book makes
understanding the history, principles, and methods simple.
One thing that I dearly love about percussion
handguns is that, in the free parts of the United States, buying
one of these guns requires the same amount of paperwork and
hassle as does buying a sack of potatoes. You pay your money and
take the gun. Simple. Now, before some of you start squirming
around in your Momma’s panties and send the email flying my
way, gather up the statistics showing me how many crimes were
committed with cap-and-ball sixguns within the last fifty years.
You will be hard-pressed to find any. Punk "gangstas"
prefer to shoot guns in their drive-bys that don’t throw
sparks all over the furry dice and shag upholstery. Most of them
also lack the dexterity to load one of these revolvers
one-handed while holding their crotch with the other. These
handguns are purchased and used by shooters who, for whatever
reason, want a connection to the past. Shooting a cap-and-ball
sixgun is feeling history in your hand. Also, it is a whole lot
of fun.
Percussion Pistols And Revolvers is a
great asset towards the understanding of how these guns work. A
copy should be included with every new cap and ball revolver
sold, and every history buff, whether interested in firearms or
not, should own a copy. Firearms manufacture was a huge driving
force in bringing the United States to the forefront of the
industrial revolution of the late nineteenth century, and this
book covers that part of our history very well. This is a
thoroughly enjoyable and informative book, well-written and
illustrated, and should serve as a valuable reference book for
shooters of such nineteenth century firearms as not only a
historical reference, but as a basic repair and maintenance
manual for percussion firearms. I have never seen so much good
information on the subject gathered into one reference book. I
highly recommend it. It is currently available from Amazon.com
for the paltry sum of only $16.95. That’s less than a decent
pizza, and a whole lot healthier.
To
order or for more information, click here!
Jeff Quinn
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