SMITH & Wesson Model 1

1857

Percussion firearms used a weather-resistant lock and ignition system, doing away with the need for a flint and frizzen in favour of a cap containing highly explosive mercuric fulminate. The cap would be struck by the hammer and ignite the gunpowder in the barrel. But the system was soon fazed out thanks to developments such as Smith & Wesson’s first revolver, the Seven Shooter. Later named the Model 1, this pistol used rimfire metallic cartridges, so-called since the firing pin would strike the rim. It could hold seven .22 shortfire rounds and soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War clamoured to use it.

Rimfire cartridges replaced the need to use loose powder, musket balls and percussion caps