Re: [DL] Fanning, Single and Double action pistols and now even more

[Jay Gilham <jaygilham@adelphia.net>]

Hello,

Throwing my hat in on this....

> > I'm not familiar with the weapon in real life history, whether it had
> > reliability issues or not.  I did rule that it had to use metal cased
> > shotgun rounds -- whether factual or not I decided that the paper
> > cased
> > rounds might crumple or deform.  

the model 1887 had some minor reliability issues with it.  mostly due to 
fouling from the black powder ammo that was used until smokeless powder 
arrived in the mid 1890's.  The problems that were mostly encountered 
were jams, stuck cartridge, and  lever sticking.  I have read that in 
some cases there were problems with the hammer springs but couldn't 
locate that source again.

You stumbled upon an a truth but not for the same reasons.  Paper shells 
were the most common however full brass or copper shells would be used 
for a variety of reasons.  the metal shells were more durable and could 
be reloaded more often.  (provided they had a reloading kit) they were 
not as apt to jam up or get stuck in the chamber.

> > the one Colt revolving rifle with insanely high damage dice... and I
> > could
> > always use them _against_ the players...

the revolving rifle's big drawback is by the deadlands time line it is 
and antique.  The rifle was a cap and ball only.  To my knowledge there 
were no cartridge conversions made.  The other thing is that the gun was 
a hazard to the shooter.  when shooting cap and ball guns "chain fire" 
happens.  If you don't know what that is here you go.  Chain Fire 
happens when the flash from the fired chamber sets off the powder from 
the next chamber thus sending the shot down the side of the gun.  this 
could in turn set of the next and so on.  if more than one chamber 
touched off it could damage the gun.  With a cap and ball pistol once 
cylinder going off on a chain fire isn't bad.  but with the rifle you 
have one hand IN FRONT of the cylinder.  If you have a chain fire there 
they could start calling you Stumpy.

sorry didn't mean to ramble.

--
Jay

Vegetarians eat Vegetables, Humanitarians frighten me.