'Percussion Revolvers' by Cumpston & Bates:

Here's a novelty - this paper-back book noticeably weighs nearly twice as much as others of the same size and thickness! - This is because of the dense high quality shiny paper used.

Percussion Revolvers - A Guide to their History, Performance, and Use - written by Mike Cumpston and Johnny Bates. - It is available as an e-book, but much better you get the dead tree version as it has excellent glossy photos and is a quality book - maybe to treasure & keep.

This books second novelty feature is that they tell it as it is:

 - eg. Chapter 2:  Replicas: The Good, the Bad, and the Awful.

-  So many gun books / magazines I've read are not much more than re-prints of the manufacturers advertising agency bullsh*t and only repeat the good news - while keeping quiet about any faults.

These guys appear to be honest and have actually tested and tried the replica black powder guns and then report and compare them to the originals - and they call rubbish RUBBISH. - They detail the weak points such as the old flat leaf springs and suggest remedies and 'tuning' modifications.

- Lots of loading information and velocities with accuracy results all charted.

Rogers & Spencer - Chapter 14

 "often cited as the best percussion revolver ever designed."

 

They describe the Ruger Old Army (Chapter 17) as ".. neither fish nor fowl. It is not a curio, relic, or replica of such." - That is fair enough too, as they shoot it and like it - recognising its strengths and use-ability.

Interesting to note that while reviewing powders and the black-powder substitute propellants (Pyrodex, Goex, H777 etc.) - the authors (and others) use the name 'Replica Powders' - that can be a bit confusing in a book focussed on replica firearms.

- Good book - very informative.

I understand that this style of replica percussion firearm may still be owned and shot in U.K. - not firing a self contained cartridge.

Marty K.