Break-Action Shotguns: 1860s?

[Plynkes]

Okay, so I want a figure to represent James Grant, and have found one that seems perfect if given a new head. Only thing is, the intended use for the figure is, I believe, the early 20th Century, and he is holding a double-barrelled shotgun, broken open in the action of loading.

Just wanted to check with minds more knowledgeable than mine own on gun matters. I think such guns existed in the 1860s, but due to my limited gun knowledge am not entirely sure. What does the team think?

Am torn between wanting to use this figure, and the quest for historical truth! Help me out, please. (Or lie so that I can carry on in blissful oblivion, the choice is yours, but heed: One day you may have to face your maker to account for your perfidy).

[CptJake]

According to this you should be good:

http://firearmshistory.blogspot.com/2011/02/shotguns-actions-and-designs.html

Of all the actions, the break-open action, such as the two images above, is the most common type and has been around for a long time. This is a breech-loading mechanism. It was realized in 1875 that the movement of opening the action could also be used to cock the weapon at the same time.

http://firearmshistory.blogspot.com/2010/07/actions-break-open-action.html

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

This may help:

http://www.guns.com/2013/02/12/5-of-the-most-innovative-shotguns-ever-made/

[WillieB]

Okay, so I want a figure to represent James Grant, and have found one that seems perfect if given a new head. Only thing is, the intended use for the figure is, I believe, the early 20th Century, and he is holding a double-barrelled shotgun, broken open in the action of loading.

Just wanted to check with minds more knowledgeable than mine own on gun matters. I think such guns existed in the 1860s, but due to my limited gun knowledge am not entirely sure. What does the team think?

Am torn between wanting to use this figure, and the quest for historical truth! Help me out, please. (Or lie so that I can carry on in blissful oblivion, the choice is yours, but heed: One day you may have to face your maker to account for your perfidy).

A friend of mine has a Belgian made double barrelled, break open gun dated 1848. It's not a shotgun but a percussion rifle of about .70 calibre.Not sure if this helps.

[Plynkes]

Yes, that's very helpful indeed. Just knowing that guns with a break-open mechanism were commercially available in this period is enough to let me use the figure in question without any clouds of doubt.

Thanks chums, one and all. Your contributions have all been helpful and are much appreciated.

[Dr Mathias]

I'm happy to hear you are back in the miniature painting saddle Plynkes!

[Plynkes]

Nice of you to say so. Don't feel particularly steady in this saddle at the minute, mind. Hopefully it will all come back to me!

[Elbows]

Only thing to remember, is that shotgun "slugs" as we know them now weren't around until 1890's-1900's really.  Something I had to fix in my Old West game when I revised it.  Break-opens, plenty enough.

[Plynkes]

Yeah, that's not really an issue. He won't be used in any games that go into that level of detail regarding firearms, he'll simply be the leader figure for an unruly gang of Wa-Ngwana or Balochis in all likelihood. I just wanted to make sure that a figure with a break-open gun wouldn't be anachronistic for the early 1860s.

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

Thanks chums, one and all. Your contributions have all been helpful and are much appreciated.

Glad to be of service. I look forward to seeing the figure in question when painted.   

[nils]

I love to see the Figure painted and hope to see the battlereport too!!!
Your storys are always cool Plynks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!