With the weather warming up I decided to get out and do some shooting, I had a box and a partial of 38 S&W loaded with BP to use up and took some of my old S&W top break pocket guns out for some exercise on the steel. A popular revolver, variations were made from the late 1870s to 1940 in both 32 and 38 S&W cartridges. Early versions should be limited to BP but 20th century stuff can stand smokeless.
When you shoot the guns, grip them with your little finger under the butt of the gun as they tend to shoot high and holding them with three fingers will force you to tilt your wrist down, getting away from what little pointability they have. Most were probably purchased as protection guns and they disappear into a pocket, especially the hammerless versions.
The BP cartridges put out fire, noise, and a lot of smoke. Firing 3 quick shots I could see how if you didn't hit your target you could set him on fire if close, or get away behind the smoke screen if further away.
When you shoot the guns, grip them with your little finger under the butt of the gun as they tend to shoot high and holding them with three fingers will force you to tilt your wrist down, getting away from what little pointability they have. Most were probably purchased as protection guns and they disappear into a pocket, especially the hammerless versions.
The BP cartridges put out fire, noise, and a lot of smoke. Firing 3 quick shots I could see how if you didn't hit your target you could set him on fire if close, or get away behind the smoke screen if further away.
