Handgun - Forgotten Weapons

Walther HP at RIA

November 26, 2014 Ian McCollum 25

The Walther HP was the immediate predecessor to the P38 pistol that was adopted into widespread German service. The HP (Heeres Pistole, or Army Pistol) was offered for commercial sale and export by Walther. It […]

Gaulois Palm Pistol at RIA

November 24, 2014 Ian McCollum 15

The Gaulois (Gallic) was a compact squeeze-type palm pistol made by the Manufrance concern in St. Etienne in the 1890s. It held 5 rounds of 8mm ammunition (similar to the .32 Extra-Short used in other […]

2-Gun Action Match: Mosin & Nagant vs Trapdoor & SAA

November 22, 2014 Ian McCollum 38

No vintage photo today – instead I have a vintage rifle match! I’ve had had a bunch of people asking to see a Mosin-Nagant in one of these matches, and decided to oblige – but […]

Maryland Council of Safety Revolutionary Flintlock at RIA

November 21, 2014 Ian McCollum 5

In the buildup to the US War of Independence, “Committees of Safety” were organized in the colonial state to form shadow governments for the independence movement. These committees (our councils, as a few were named) […]

Walther KPK Pistol at RIA

November 20, 2014 Ian McCollum 21

The Walther KPK was a modified version of the PPK automatic pistol made in very small numbers by Walther in hopes of winning a new military contract. Mechanically identical to the PPK, the KPK has […]

“My Friend” Knuckle-Duster Revolver at RIA

November 17, 2014 Ian McCollum 21

The “My Friend” knuckle-duster revolver was a defensive weapon sold on the civilian market from the late 1860s until the early 1880s. It functioned both as a revolver (this one is in .22 caliber, with […]

Spanish Miquelet Flintlock at RIA

November 14, 2014 Ian McCollum 25

The miquelet lock is generally considered the first true, mature flintlock action in the progression of firearms technology. It combined the pan cover and frizzen (the plate against which the flint strikes) into a single […]

Iraqi Tariq Pistol at RIA

November 12, 2014 Ian McCollum 32

The official issue sidearm for the Iraqi Army (and many of its police agencies) is the Tariq, a domestically-manufactured copy of the Beretta M1951 pistol. The Beretta is a pretty decent pistol, mechanically fine and […]

Chicago Palm Protector Pistols at RIA

November 10, 2014 Ian McCollum 17

“The Protector” was a very discreet palm pistol developed in the late 1800s by a French inventor, produced in bulk by the Ames Sword Company, and sold by the Chicago Firearms Company. They are mechanically […]

Lancaster Howdah Pistols at RIA

November 9, 2014 Ian McCollum 45

Charles Lancaster was a master London gunsmith who made 2-barrel and 4-barrel pistols in a variety of British revolver cartridges (commonly known as Howdah pistols). Many of his pistols was purchased privately by British military […]