Something different

[jb]

You know I"m sort of into old handguns, have a few old Colts, Lugers, etc. Just picked up this old beauty, wish I looked this good at 153 years old.
Don't know the caliber, but a 20 ga. shotshell will slip down the bore.
From what history I have it was a cavalry model, back then I'd hate to be hit with a ball that measured 11/16" across.
It's still very shootable if I could find a lead ball that size.
299329942995

[BarryBobPosthole]

Wow, that is beautiful. I'll bet it kicks like a mule too.

What sort of firing mechanism fits in that nipple? A flint?Or does it use like some sort of percussion cap?

BKB

[Captain]

That is a sharp weapon
Posty I think that is a percussion nipple on that booger.
Jerry I've got an old Smith you NEED. And more amazing is its in the original box.

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[BarryBobPosthole]

What is the horizontal bar on the side between the two screws for?

BKB

[Captain]

The flash hole to the charge.
A flint lock would have a frizzen there.
My best GUESS would be the flash pan and frizzen have been replaced sometime along the 153 years, and replaced with the nipple adapter.

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[Captain]

Jerry may know. It may have originally came with nipple??

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[Buckrub]

http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com/topic/14929

http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=11736619

http://www.armscollectors.com/darra/afghanold.htm

[Arty]

The flash hole to the charge.
A flint lock would have a frizzen there.
My best GUESS would be the flash pan and frizzen have been replaced sometime along the 153 years, and replaced with the nipple adapter.

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Shows how much I know!
I thought that "horizontal bar" was what specified it as a cavalry model.

Somethig to hang off yer saddle or somethin

[Captain]

I see the bar in the first picture you are talking about now. On the left side.
Takes forever for photos to load down here and all I saw was the right side where the hammer/nipple was.
I have NO clue what the bar is?
Maybe Jerry and enlighten us.

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[yellowk9]

This was made in 1859 or later. By that time flint guns would have been ancient technology. Everything was percussion cap and they were transitioning to self-contained brass cartridges. They had revolvers (albeit black powder patch/ball varieties) by this point. I'm surprised someone even produced a single shot variety by this time. Maybe it was a "dueling pistol". Enfields were made in England and the same company produced many rifled muskets for both sides in the Civil War.

[BarryBobPosthole]

Arty I think you may be right. I think there was like a brass ring of some kind that was around that bar that you could hook to a lanyard, kind of like the ring you see on the butts of some cavalry pistols. At least that's a possibility I guess.

BKB

[Thumper]

Yep ... a common item on cavalry arms.

http://www.desertusa.com/mag06/oct/photos/Sharps-Carbine5.jpg