Inside The Suicide Special Revolver pdf

For the first time in over 60 years a published study dealing strictly with “Suicide Specials”. Not conducted from the perspective of folklore or after thought. Instead this is a look inside disassembled example revolvers to compare the quality and engineering of each. See the interaction of internal working parts, so you can determine how they mechanically compare with other firearms. This is done for the purpose of better understanding which are good and which are bad. All provided to help reach an opinion on which of the inexpensive pocket revolvers might have been able to fulfill the purpose for which they were built when manufactured.

Included are historical details about the many companies, participants, inventors, and their patents for these firearms. Should you as a gun enthusiast and collector have any of this class of 19th century firearm in your collections? Additionally, explained is the cartridge ammunition used in these weapons. Why contemporary articles testing these weapons and ammo is often lacking in understanding nuances required to achieve results similar to what might have been obtained during the time of black powder.

Revolvers classified as “Suicide Specials” are NOT what the average person believes! These firearms only became labeled “Suicide Specials” 40 years after they were popular. They were purchased as a class, in higher numbers than any other revolver in the last half of the 19th century. “Suicide Specials” were in many ways the 19th century version of today’s 21st century throw-away products. Some produced as cheaply as possible and not designed for easy repair.

Most testing in the 20th century of these weapons and ammo used old, substandard, mixed quality ammunition, resulted in the generally accepted opinion from then on, that this whole class was worthless in every measure. Examination of inter-workings of these inexpensive pocket revolvers expose an often different view. As a lifelong collector and armorer, I have written this book not to be a beauty contest. It is not proof that all “Suicide Specials” are top of the line guns. It is not a claim that these revolvers are as finely made as the well-known firearms manufacturers products. I do pose the theory after studying these firearms, Most would have successfully fulfilled their mission and some were actually fine firearms. These were “just-in-case” revolvers. Used as backup and when concealment was required. In a desk, a purse, or a pocket, they served that purpose well and were only maligned later.

Over 177 color photographs in this 8 ½” x 11” book provide large detailed images. Emphasizing the example firearms in their disassembled condition.

Unbiased information on this class of firearm has been severely lacking. After reading this book you will not know everything there is about Suicide Specials”, but you will have a much better understanding of these weapons that dominated until the introduction of smokeless powder.

The book breaks down definitions of just what defines a Suicide Special? Why are they different than Saturday Night Specials? Why does almost everyone today believe that these pistols are not only no good now, but believe they not good when they were manufactured?

This book does not cover every revolver of the class, that would be impossible, but after reading you will have a better understanding then ever about just what these revolvers are all about.