this was a topic of discussion today with SURFINN, heres the link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferguson_rifle . it was called the ferguson rifle and was a breachloading rifle used in combat in the revolutionary war. most think breachloaders came into being in the civil war.
additionaly who invented the revoler with rotating cylinder and stationary barrel.....well it wasnt sam colt.. check out.
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.13082.html that is the 1818 collier flintlock revolver, and its not the first either, revolving flintlock revolvers had been around for 100 years before colt, and if you want to see pure inventive genius...well for the 1600's check out this 1680 flintlock 7 shot pistol,with a rotating cylinder and single barrel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hnC6x036Q it was called Lorenzoni Repeating Flintlock Pistol. and prior to these in the breechloading rifle were being made in the 1650's....king louis XIII had a rifle with single barrel and a rotating cylinder in the 1600's it was for bird hunts. pics are on the net.
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Lorenzoni Repeating Flintlock Pistol
