What Is A Horse Pistol

[FishDFly]

So as not to distract from the horse pistol for sale, what is a horse pistol? I have seen large revolvers called a horse pistol as they were too large to walk around with.

So is it size that determines what is a horse pistol or is it a type?

 

[Flintlock]

A pistol that is to large generally to be carried comfortably on ones person and was intended to be carried across the saddle in buckets or pommel holsters.

 

[Griz44Mag]

The traditional "horse pistol" is normally referenced by a line of pistol made my Aston.
They were designed specifically for cavalry mounted soldiers.
The ramrod was captive on a swivel for use in loading so it would not be lost when loading while mounted.
https://museumofcthistory.org/the-u-s-model-1842-pistol-gauages-aston-and-johnson-contract-arms/

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Also Walkers and Dragoons.

 

[CaptainKirk]

Technically, the "horse pistol" was used by Dragoons...mounted cavalrymen (hence the name Col. Colt borrowed) and generally were too large and heavy to be carried conveniently or comfortably in a holster, no matter what Josey Wales did in the movies. The Dragoons used a pommel-mounted saddle holster for this reason, hence the term "horse pistol". There is also some reference to the fact that these pistols were sighted to POA at 75 yards for the intended purpose of being able to kill a mounted soldier's horse at that distance but it's doubtful that's where the name originated.

 

[Gee Dog]

Yep. As distinguished from the later 'belt pistol'.

 

[Britsmoothy]

How does a horse whip differ from a whip used on cattle and can one whip cream with one?

Sorry, tangent alert just went off

 

[TFoley]

Horse pistols were carried in holsters on each side of the front of the saddle, as noted, by both cavalry - who fight ON horseback - or dragoons - who are more likely to get off the horse and fight. Lancers carried lances and because they were generally lighter-horsed and manned, carried at least one lancer pistol.

If you want to see what a REAL horse pistol looked like, watch the attack on the Tercio in the closing scenes of the battle of Rocrois in the movie 'Alatriste'. The movie is one of the best ever made about the religious wars of the mid-17th century, with many appearances of matchlocks and wheellocks to its credit.

Another war-movie, covering the war between Poland, Russia, Sweden and just about anybody else who had a grievance with anybody else is '1612'. It has something for every fan of earlier firearms cannon - excellent battles and a half-way decent plot, although I tend to watch it for the accurate portrayal and use of guns of all kinds.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Regardless of the historic terminology, I prefer to call them “pony busters”, or “nay nay blasters”.

But that’s just me.

 

[Bad Karma]

Yep. As distinguished from the later 'belt pistol'.

And of course the boot pistol, parlor pistol, etc.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Folks have seen them a lot, but they are in holsters often called "buckets", and..., sometimes the covers are ornate and overlap the actual container by quite a bit. So a lot of people don't realize that's what they see. The use of the horse pistol, saddle pistol, pommel pistol etc goes back pretty far in history.

LD

 

[oldwood]

In the mid 1980's , I was visiting the 1860's Harper's Ferry military Arsenal , W.Va.. . After that , the girls went antiquing with us guys yawning in drag. Just as I reached the totally bored level , in a corner of a shop is a box labeled , "old gun barrels". The box contained about 8 breached original smooth bore pistol barrels for $35. I whined and so on to the clerk and the price was adjusted down another $5. Took the box home and dumped it on the workbench. Each barrel seemed to be a cut off smooth bore musket barrel. Contacted Kit Ravenshear and he said each would make a classic 18th century "Horse Pistol". Each barrel had the breach plug tang broken off in an attempt to demilitarize them. Kit had a welder and put the proper tangs back on the barrels. Each barrel had it's original musket Proof marks and a couple had 1800 era date of manufacture. The bores , .69 through .78 were rusty w/o too much pitting and very serviceable. The hardware store had a 3/8" steel rod to cut off and slit the end to accommodate strips of emory cloth , a little oil ,electric drill motor , and I was in business polishing the bores. I still have one left and might make a rattle snake blaster to put in the UTV on trips into the back country. A load of bird shot , w/hornet nest wadding , safely dispatches those critters . ..........oldwood

 

[Loyalist Dave]

The bores , .69 through .78 were rusty w/o too much pitting and very serviceable. ..., I still have one left and might make a rattle snake blaster to put in the UTV on trips into the back country. A load of bird shot , w/hornet nest wadding , safely dispatches those critters .

Yes I bet it would!

LD

 

[Sergio Natali]

Thanks very interesting.

 

[toot]

How does a horse whip differ from a whip used on cattle and can one whip cream with one?

Sorry, tangent alert just went off

WOW! I guess you are right!

 

[toot]

Folks have seen them a lot, but they are in holsters often called "buckets", and..., sometimes the covers are ornate and overlap the actual container by quite a bit. So a lot of people don't realize that's what they see. The use of the horse pistol, saddle pistol, pommel pistol etc goes back pretty far in history.

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LD

the covers will certainally keep the weather / rain out / off of them!!

 

[Griz44Mag]

Horse pistols were carried in holsters on each side of the front of the saddle, as noted, by both cavalry - who fight ON horseback - or dragoons -

Not to be confused with the use of dragons (like the ones used in Game of Thrones)

 

[Whughett]

Story has it that Captain Walker of the Texas rangers had Sam Colt design what became Known as the “Walker” , specifically a large pistol of a caliber large enough to kill a horse. As the rangers engaged the Mexican Cavalry armed with lances from time to time it was prudent to kill the horse. The 36 caliber Paterson wasn’t up to the task.
And so the “44 caliber was born. I can speculate that the metallurgy of the day required big pistols to handle the big charges necessary to bring down an animal the size of a horse reliable. The Walker very quickly was down sized to the Colt Dragoon’s but were still large.
36 caliber and smaller belt size pistols were available the Paterson first then the 1851 Navy.
So why such large pistols that required horse scabbards.