On Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:56:30 -0500, wrote:

On Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:52:03 -0600, Califbill
wrote:

"F.O.A.D." wrote:


I like single action revolvers except when it comes to dumping out the
casings or inserting fresh rounds.

The S&W I have works SA or DA, but loads like other DA revolvers, with a
cylinder that hinges out.

In the later 1800's I think S&W had top break revolvers. They would shoot
the .44 rim fire cartridge.

One of our family heirlooms is a S&W #3 in.44 Russian. (break top
revolver) It is still up at my brother in law's house in Maryland. I
gave it to my sister years ago and she still had it when she died.
I broke the firing pin off before I gave it to her because she had a
house full of kids and it was just going to be a wall hanger anyway.
(safe ammo is very hard to come by but it will chamber a .44 magnum
...eek!)
I would have brought it home when I was up there after she died but I
did not want the airport hassle.

There were quite a few other break tops around that time but I think
all of them were black powder.
The Webley .455 and sometimes .45ACP with half moon clips is a
somewhat modern break top.
Ye Olde Hunter (the Alexandria Va outlet for Interarnco) sold a bunch
of them for around $20 in the mid 60s but the only ones I saw were in
.,455.
I still thought about buying one a few times but ammo was tough to
find. There was a rumor that a minor milling of the cylinder would
allow the ACP with moon clips. I never pursued it I ended up getting
a Colt Officer's Model Match revolver (with the bull barrel) for about
$40 there. I still have it.

A bit of history:

http://gunlore.awardspace.info/gunknow/interarms.htm

I was in there back in the early 70's. It was like a military arms museum inside, with everything
for sale. But, I was broke.