Elric
Well-Known Member
It is entirely possible this is hero worship.... Does anyone know of "Jack Pattern"?
Self-Defense With The Revolver By Jack Pattern
Recreation, Volume 16, no. 4, April 1902, page 277-278
https://books.google.com/books?id=R...CKIQ6AEIWDAJ#v=onepage&q=SELF-DEFENSE&f=false
The first requirement is a suitable weapon. If it is to be concealed, a .32 or .38 double action revolver, with 3 or 3 ½ inch barrel, is most desirable. A hammerless revolver or one with the thumb piece sawed off, is the best for the pocket, as there is nothing to catch when drawing it. On the other hand, a hammer revolver is better for deliberate shooting, because it may be used as a single action. With a little care, however, the trigger of a hammerless may be held back to such an extent while aiming that it will take only a slight squeeze to discharge the revolver. In a country where it is not necessary to conceal a revolver, a .44 W. C. F., or a .44 Russian with 5 ½ or 6 inch barrel, is the best arm. A Remington double Derringer may be carried comfortably in the vest pocket, and is effective at close range.
The next consideration is the right ammunition. For the pocket revolver any black powder factory-loaded, .32 or .38 cartridges are all right, but I like U. M. C. smokeless cartridges, with the special self lubricating bullet, better than any others. For the large revolver, factory-loaded cartridges are also best. My favorite is the U. M. C. .44 Russian smokeless, with above mentioned bullet. One of the best cartridges I have ever used is a .44 W. C. F. charged with 11 grains Laflin & Rand sporting rifle smokeless, and an Ideal express bullet. It is not only accurate, but will tear terribly. I have tried slightly hollowing the points of bullets of various calibers with excellent results.
Carrying the revolver with safety, and so it may be easily drawn is the most important problem of all. The hip pocket offers one of the best places of concealment, but is not so handy as the side pocket of the coat, from which it is possible to shoot without drawing the weapon, thereby taking an enemy completely by surprise. For the large revolver, an ordinary holster without flap, fastened on the hip from a belt, is the best method. If the revolver does not have a rebounding hammer, always lift the hammer to the safety catch; not half-cock, as some do. Never let the hammer rest on the cartridge, as it may be exploded by a slight blow, and in all probability would be by a fall.
If it is necessary to shoot at all, get the first shot if possible. This may not seem highly original, for writers on the subject have said the same thing since gunpowder was invented; but it can not be repeated too often. Get the drop on your man and break-action revolver, if hammer is down, you may, by a quick movement, grasp the thumb catch of the revolver, release it and continue to pull until the revolver is completely opened, thus ejecting the cartridges. Mr. Walter Winans, in "The Art of Revolver Shooting," suggests grasping the barrel with the thumb under the catch, but I do not find it so effective as the method I have described. Mr. Winans also has a system of ejecting the cartridges from the new side-ejecting revolvers, but it is complicated and rather uncertain.
With any revolver other than a break-action, it is better, in case the hammer is down, to grasp the cylinder; then, if you have strong hands, your opponent will be unable to cock his revolver. In case the hammer is up, you have a slim chance, unless by some device you can make your enemy withdraw his eyes an instant. Then quickly slip your thumb under the hammer to prevent it from falling on the cartridge. Grasping the cylinder also applies to hammerless revolvers.
An excellent trick when your adversary has the drop on you, and calls for you to surrender your revolver, is to hand it to him butt first and upside down, with the trigger finger beside the guard. When he reaches out his hand for it, revolve the pistol with a quick motion so that the butt lands right in your hand. Then, if the revolver is a double action, pull the trigger; if a single action, hold trigger back and "fan" the hammer. This trick requires patient practice, but after a time may be done like lightning.
Some men like a single action revolver better than a double action, as the trigger may be removed or fastened back, and the hammer fanned, that is to say .cocked, and let fall by itself. I do not think this advisable.
When burglars call, do not carry a light, as it makes a fine target of you without materially aiding your search for the intruder. A large revolver with light charge is best for this work, as the heavy weapon is easier to shoot accurately, and the small powder charge is less likely to cause the bullet to completely penetrate his body, thus doing damage after passing through him. Rubbing the sights with phosphorus may be of aid to some, but I can tell approximately, by sense of direction, when the revolver is correctly pointed.
If you chance to meet your enemy outdoors, any object, such as a tree or a lamp post, makes an excellent screen for the body, even if it does not completely cover you.
While I hope those who read this advice may never have to make use of it, still if it becomes necessary for them to do so, it may be of value to them.
Self-Defense With The Revolver By Jack Pattern
Recreation, Volume 16, no. 4, April 1902, page 277-278
https://books.google.com/books?id=R...CKIQ6AEIWDAJ#v=onepage&q=SELF-DEFENSE&f=false
The first requirement is a suitable weapon. If it is to be concealed, a .32 or .38 double action revolver, with 3 or 3 ½ inch barrel, is most desirable. A hammerless revolver or one with the thumb piece sawed off, is the best for the pocket, as there is nothing to catch when drawing it. On the other hand, a hammer revolver is better for deliberate shooting, because it may be used as a single action. With a little care, however, the trigger of a hammerless may be held back to such an extent while aiming that it will take only a slight squeeze to discharge the revolver. In a country where it is not necessary to conceal a revolver, a .44 W. C. F., or a .44 Russian with 5 ½ or 6 inch barrel, is the best arm. A Remington double Derringer may be carried comfortably in the vest pocket, and is effective at close range.
The next consideration is the right ammunition. For the pocket revolver any black powder factory-loaded, .32 or .38 cartridges are all right, but I like U. M. C. smokeless cartridges, with the special self lubricating bullet, better than any others. For the large revolver, factory-loaded cartridges are also best. My favorite is the U. M. C. .44 Russian smokeless, with above mentioned bullet. One of the best cartridges I have ever used is a .44 W. C. F. charged with 11 grains Laflin & Rand sporting rifle smokeless, and an Ideal express bullet. It is not only accurate, but will tear terribly. I have tried slightly hollowing the points of bullets of various calibers with excellent results.
Carrying the revolver with safety, and so it may be easily drawn is the most important problem of all. The hip pocket offers one of the best places of concealment, but is not so handy as the side pocket of the coat, from which it is possible to shoot without drawing the weapon, thereby taking an enemy completely by surprise. For the large revolver, an ordinary holster without flap, fastened on the hip from a belt, is the best method. If the revolver does not have a rebounding hammer, always lift the hammer to the safety catch; not half-cock, as some do. Never let the hammer rest on the cartridge, as it may be exploded by a slight blow, and in all probability would be by a fall.
If it is necessary to shoot at all, get the first shot if possible. This may not seem highly original, for writers on the subject have said the same thing since gunpowder was invented; but it can not be repeated too often. Get the drop on your man and break-action revolver, if hammer is down, you may, by a quick movement, grasp the thumb catch of the revolver, release it and continue to pull until the revolver is completely opened, thus ejecting the cartridges. Mr. Walter Winans, in "The Art of Revolver Shooting," suggests grasping the barrel with the thumb under the catch, but I do not find it so effective as the method I have described. Mr. Winans also has a system of ejecting the cartridges from the new side-ejecting revolvers, but it is complicated and rather uncertain.
With any revolver other than a break-action, it is better, in case the hammer is down, to grasp the cylinder; then, if you have strong hands, your opponent will be unable to cock his revolver. In case the hammer is up, you have a slim chance, unless by some device you can make your enemy withdraw his eyes an instant. Then quickly slip your thumb under the hammer to prevent it from falling on the cartridge. Grasping the cylinder also applies to hammerless revolvers.
An excellent trick when your adversary has the drop on you, and calls for you to surrender your revolver, is to hand it to him butt first and upside down, with the trigger finger beside the guard. When he reaches out his hand for it, revolve the pistol with a quick motion so that the butt lands right in your hand. Then, if the revolver is a double action, pull the trigger; if a single action, hold trigger back and "fan" the hammer. This trick requires patient practice, but after a time may be done like lightning.
Some men like a single action revolver better than a double action, as the trigger may be removed or fastened back, and the hammer fanned, that is to say .cocked, and let fall by itself. I do not think this advisable.
When burglars call, do not carry a light, as it makes a fine target of you without materially aiding your search for the intruder. A large revolver with light charge is best for this work, as the heavy weapon is easier to shoot accurately, and the small powder charge is less likely to cause the bullet to completely penetrate his body, thus doing damage after passing through him. Rubbing the sights with phosphorus may be of aid to some, but I can tell approximately, by sense of direction, when the revolver is correctly pointed.
If you chance to meet your enemy outdoors, any object, such as a tree or a lamp post, makes an excellent screen for the body, even if it does not completely cover you.
While I hope those who read this advice may never have to make use of it, still if it becomes necessary for them to do so, it may be of value to them.
