The 38 Colt or short Colt visually resembles a 38 S&W but the case dimensions are slightly different. The .38 Short Colt case is the parent to the 38 long Colt which was lengthened to the 38 special. Cheers Ron
Important note here is that the .38 S&W is still being factory loaded, the Colt is not, although it was pre-pandemic/ War in Ukraine. for Cowboy Shooters.@@evangreen3209
Thank you for another great video. It gave me a sense of kinship with those who carried such weapons, since my EDC is a Smith and Wesson 43c, pocket holster carried. 22lr, 8 shots. So light I forget its there. Thanks again.
Yes, a gunshot at that time was often a death sentence. North American 22 LR or Magnum rounds can fit into almost any pocket like these guns but with more power and penetration. As years before a hit from one of these will send you to the ER or morgue for sure. No one wants a bullet in their stomach, liver, pancreas, lungs, etc.. Not then, not now. Good video.
They were called that because of their small caliber. It was a somewhat disdained firearm. Hence the disdainful comment, "Put that mouse back in your pocket."
The role these had and would still have if being produced is something that could easily be carried around. Affordability was a consideration for many people that couldn't afford top brands. People and animals being in closer contact than they are these days and not Rabies Shots were another reason people like small revolvers and pistols. The Stevens would be good for the trap line. Indoor target shooting with "Parlor Pistols" with low velocity .22s would be another discussion, a fun one. Good video.
These guns worked pretty good at the bad breath distances in 19th century tenement slum hallways, crowded saloons, across poker tables and in dark alleys. Modern pressure cartridges in "mouse calibers" in updated 19th/early 20th century revolvers would probably sell really well amongst a certain crowd. No, they still wouldn't equal a Glock, other modern automatic or .38 Special/.357 Magnum snubbie revolvers. But they'd be a lot more effective than stupid ideas like .22LR pistols made to look like smart phones that take a minute to unfold for 1 shot or derringers firing absurd 7.62x39mm AK rounds. I think something like a 5 shot .32 S&W break top hammerless revolver with hot .32s would work much better.
North American Arms out of Utah makes small five-shot revolvers in .22 LR and .22 Magnum. They are also slow to reload.. Other people have asked for a recreation of the S&W break top you mentioned.
@@evangreen3209 I've seen them. They're slow to reload and .22LR isn't all that powerful out of those tiny barrels. They're also a little hard to grasp in a hurry. Pocket pistols aren't ideal but when you need them you need them _immediately._ No fumbling around in deep pockets, fiddling with a hammer, and definitely no unfolding. The old school S&W break top with a shrouded hammer is large enough and powerful enough to be a good pocket gun.
I have a Smith and Wesson 22S, seven shot revolver that belonged to my grandfather. He was a special sheriff's deputy way back in the day and he carried this, as best as I can figure out, as a back up to his, what is now called a 38 shrt recolver. Interestingly he had to supply his own ammunition and because ammunition was expensive he only bought six rounds instead of a full box. I still have them. Things have certainly changed since then. Interesting video...
Some of these firearms were carried by the "Soiled doves" of the day. I have a nickel plated Merlin & Hulbert in 32 cal that fits right in to this category. keep up the good work. Enjoy every episode.
I have a few Colt 25 auto guns and I would consider them WAY better than nothing which.... is what people with 9mm "concealed carry" own but seldom carry. also the 32 acp is pretty good.
Anything on you is better than something you left in the safe. I have a Baby Browning in .25 ACP but my EDC lately is a Taurus GX4. Sometimes a Glock 43X, or a 19 when I travel around the state.
Bet they bite more than a flea, Evan you always have interesting items, my carry is a government acp45 colt 1911, 1968 vintage and always 3 mags to boot. During the video's on firearms if you have available price of when they were new would be nice to know.
Thanks for that suggestion. The Flayderman book has current values but not original prices. There are reprints of Sears and Montgomery Wards from that era with sections on firearms. Some of those in this video sold for two to three dollars while a Colt Single Action Army was $15-20.
@@NM-eb5ej Well, we do actually. Interesting reading. The Sears Roebuck from 1908 had everything from firearms to houses. My reference copy is a reprint.
First gun,,, 1870's. Not a tip up barrel, like the late 1850's S + W 22 cal, rather a solid frame. Rollin Whites patent for bored thru cylinders expired around 1859.
I'm sorry if my presentation was inaccurate or misleading. The first gun in the series is a solid frame, but I am unclear on the date. My information, not always correct, says White's patent expired in 1972 which enabled Colt to introduce the 1872 Open Top cartridge revolver and then the Single Action Army with a top strap in 1873.
@@evangreen9430 I hear you as I am most likely close to your age at 74 I have shot handguns all my life so maybe that 'helps' but what I do is shoot 44 mag a bit more 'sparingly' these days. flnch sets in around 20-50 rounds and I then go to something milder. One thing I have noticed is that I shoot .357 a lot more
Being shot in the guts with the 22 Cal. one would worry more about availability of medical care than mere germs. Being shot in the face you would have a hard time finding your horse if you survived. Mouse Guns!! Consider that term after you have been shot. I always laugh at the "manly" term.
The percussion cap was a step up from a flintlock in reliability in the wind or rain. But I imagine it was difficult to seat those caps if your hands were cold or bloody and someone was shooting back.
