The Seven Lists of BlindKat
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Seven Wonder Pistols (Okay, My Favorite Pistols)
Not the best, not the most famous. Just pistols that I find interesting, or more importantly, a work of art as well as a wonderment of fire-arms technology. I know many people are going to ask where is the Glock 17 or the M1911 Colt 45, or Walther's P38? How did I ever pass up the Browning HP35. Well, I guess it's like this. I'm not trying to recommend a hand gun for personal protection. I'm looking at handguns that contributed to some advance in technology or just simply are an artisitc masterpiece.
1. C-96 Mauser (Broomhandle)
Just about everyone who admires weapons is going to have a favorite automatic pistol. This one is mine. It came in a few different calibers. The most common was the 7.63mm Mauser. Mauser also came up with the 9mm Mauser, later parabellum which is probably the most common pistol caliber in the world. Some of these pistols were even chambered to fire the 45 ACP. bullet.
The pistol was only adopted in small quantities in Germany but later was adopted
in some Middle Eastern countries and China as a military sidearm. The big draw
was the holster which doubles as a shoulder stock.
In 1932, the German government came up with a full automatic version with a
20 round detachable box magazine. while totally impractical as a fully automatic
pistol, it was used by German Police and later the Gestapo, and the Chinese
Army.
2. Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver
3. W. Bailes Over/Under Flintlock
I have a weakness for the flintlocks. Today, a factory will turn out hundreds
or thousands of similar firearms but in the 16th-18th century, it was often a
craftsman turning out one or two weapons in a day or perhaps a month. Their weapons
had a personal touch and each one combined fashion, design, and function to create
a lethal work of art. Yes, indeed some gunsmiths had factories and turned out
hundred of close to identical weapons to outfit a nation's military but the same
places would also produce individual pieces.
W. Bailes was one of London's best known Firearms maker. The pistol below
was fully functional presentation piece. That is, it was custom made for an
individual. The pistol was fully operational but obviously it was not meant
to be used in combat.
Of note are the rotating barrels. The operator would fire the first shot, rotate the barrels and fire the second shot. While other people made multiple barrel pistols, it is rare to find such a feature in a presentation piece with ornate carvings and an ivory butt.
4. Colt Peacemaker
5. Deringer (Derringer)
The Remington Derringer may not have been the first "Deringer" but it's the best
known and probably the best. Henry Deringer had a fit when other companies started
marketing a pistol named after him. He called his small pocket pistol a Deringer
and like Xerox and Kleenex later, his name became synonymous with the product
and afterward any pocket pistol became a Derringer. Remington added an "r" out
in an effort to say their pistol wasn't a "deringer. Remington made a handy little
double barrel .41 caliber pocket punch. The pistol fires a rimfire cartridge and
fires the rounds individually. the derringer was a personal protection pistol
and is mostly associated with riverboat gamblers and "business" ladies. I have
a feeling a lot of other people carried them as well.
6. Tula Flintlock
Designed by Ivan Lyalin Circa 1790.
Another one of kind.
7. Scottish All Steel Pistol
It may seem like an oddity but these pistols were manufactured by many different
Scottish armories and were used by many Highland Regiments during the 18th Century.
Sometimes called "Murdochs" after the name of one of many armories
that produced them. Some were quite elaborate while others very plain. All possessed
a knob trigger without a guard, a pick to clear a fouled touch hole stored in
the grip of the pistol, and all steel construction (sometimes with gold, silver,
or brass inlay work.) On more elaborate makes, a family crest may be laid in
the pistol's grip. Often a belt hook was on the opposite side of the lock.
Honorable Mention
Medici Rotating Flintlock
another oddity dating from 1680. Unique three barrel design made by Lorezoni.
The barrels would be turned into place and fired. Again the pistol has ivory grips
which suggest it was made for a rich customer.
Bunney Muff Pistol
