REME MUSEUM of TECHNOLOGY

THE WEAPONS COLLECTION

Percussion Locks

Please note that the weapons listed are not on display at the Museum

This step in development eliminates the need for direct fire or sparks.

Percussion firing requires the use of an explosive that will detonate when struck a sharp blow. Gunpowder of the early days would not explode in this way. A French chemist Berthollet had been experimenting with mixtures containing Potassium Chlorate, or one of the fulminates, as a substitute for gunpowder. The result of his experiments was to show that an exceedingly powerful explosive compound could be formed by mixing Sulphur, Charcoal and Potassium Chlorate, but such a powder was so unstable, dangerous to mix or handle in large quantities that it could not safely be utilised as a substitute for gunpowder as a propellant. He, therefore, shelved his researches, but by this time his work had attracted the attention of scientists abroad, one of these being the Rev Alexander Forsyth, a Minister from Aberdeenshire, who invented the percussion method of discharging a firearm. The advantage of percussion ignition was immediately recognised by most British gunsmiths and numerous types of percussion-lock were soon developed. The most common type of lock consisted of a hollow nipple screwing into the barrel on which was placed a small copper cap containing fulminate of mercury and as the trigger was pulled, the hammer rotated downwards crushing the cap. The fulminate exploded under the blow, producing a flame which travelled down the hollow nipple and ignited the propellant charge.

Conversion from flintlock to percussion lock was a simple matter of changing the old cock that held the flint for a slightly capped hammer, and replacing the flash-pan and cover with a hollow nipple. A number of British service flintlocks were converted, until the percussion system became available in sufficient quantities.

Weapon No 23
Percussion Musket (New Hand Pattern) .735 inch Calibre

REME Weapon 023 - Percussion Musket (New Hand Pattern) .735 inch Calibre

This musket followed the Indian Pattern Musket, it is similar in design but tends to be plainer, designed to take socket bayonet and has been converted from flint to percussion lock.

Weapon No 24
Percussion Musket .577 inch (Enfield)

REME Weapon 024 - Percussion Musket .577 inch (Enfield)

A smooth bore version of the pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle. See also Weapon No 27.

Weapon No 25
Percussion Muzzle Loading Rifle Pattern (1853)

REME Weapon 025 - Percussion Muzzle Loading Rifle Pattern (1853)

REME Weapon 025 Detail - Percussion Muzzle Loading Rifle Pattern (1853)

The same as Weapon No 2.

Weapon No 26
James Kerr Military Style .451 inch Calibre Target Rifle

REME Weapon 026 - James Kerr Military Style .451 inch Calibre Target Rifle

REME Weapon 026 Detail - James Kerr Military Style .451 inch Calibre Target Rifle

This muzzle-loading rifle was designed by James Kerr for target shooting by 'volunteers', the 19th Century predecessors of today's British Army reservists. The rifle dates from about 1860 and resembles the larger carbine 1853 pattern Enfield rifled musket.

The Kerr rifles were made by the London Armoury Company of Bermondsey. The design is based on the Whitworth principles of a rapid twist system of rifling and an elongated bullet instead of a round ball. The Kerr rifling has seven grooves with a progressive twist and was patented by James Kerr. Like the Whitworth rifle this was designed for accurate shooting at 1000 yards or more.