John Webster Cochran 1814-1874 of New York built this design in an attempt to get around the Samuel Colt patent. This ingenious seven shot under hammer design was a brilliant idea that unfortunately failed to deliver - being highly dangerous and indeed it killed one turret designer - a Mr Porter in 1851 when working on his variant - by a flash-over.
- Of-course 'flash-overs are not unknown with cap & ball revolvers too - but at least their chambers all face forwards.
1837 Cochrane Turret Revolver: Black powder fired by percussion caps
The design of the turret sadly results in there always being a rearwards facing chamber - that would probably make me flinch and snatch at the trigger a little! It's an antique design that for-tells the joke 'Irish revolver' !
Clever Idea eh - But ...
The turret was hand indexed / turned - and less than 50 examples are known.
Porter Turret Rifle 1851
Both Cochran and the unfortunate Porter built both rifles and pistols using their respective turret designs.
- Another example of an rare and expensive collectable that is rare & collectable because it was rubbish and didn't sell in its day - like more than a few Ferraris !!
Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870
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