The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Not sure how "Shooting related" this is but I found it interesting. I've never heard of these things before but there are two in the same sale here. Anyone know anything about them? Presumably just a fancy switch.

Hello
Buy it quickly, before the Government bans them !

Well if it looks like a gun it's on the cards.

Interesting indeed.

Looks like steam punk DIY plumbing.

Any idea how it worked Allan?

There doesn't seem to be much info about them - Here's a bit from 1894 from the USA naval use. Looks mainly to speed up lock time. The whole set-up there uses a 4.4v zinc/carbon battery producing around 5 amps. Looks like a single wire circuit to the "pistol" and the return conductor being through the frame..I would think the "pistol" is plugged into a hole somewhere convenient on the frame - probably, (looking at the groove on the "barrel" stub) with a spring loaded detent ball. wires plug into the underside, when the trigger is pulled, circuit is complete, element in the primer sets off the charge.
Here's another:




https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedi ... and-firing

These are part of the firing mechanism for large naval guns.
They were usually used for local control of individual guns.
https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/236437