By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2022
In 1855 Joseph Enouy of Middlesex, England received the patent for his pistol design. Although the revolver portion was already patented in 1845 by Charles Osbourne, Enouy’s magazine system was quite unique. The design consisted of eight cylinders, holding six rounds, each giving the revolver a 48-round capacity.
His Patent states:
Patent 1359. Joseph Enouy, of 31, Denbigh Place, Pimlico, St. George’s, Hanover Square, Middlesex, for the means of removal of every rotary or revolving barrel or cylinder containing chambers from all revolver pistols, guns and firearms, and the substitution in their place by another and other barrels or cylinders in succession.
Two or more revolving breach pieces are connected in a frame to the stock in such a manner that when the charges in the chambers of one breech piece have all been fired, the breech piece may then be removed and others ready charged by successively substituted in its place. Dated June 14th, 1855. Sealed December 11th, 1855.
Obviously, the weight and bulk of this weapon prevented accuracy and holstering. While this revolver was impractical, the thought process and engineering that went into its design paved the way for current weapons systems.
Enouy also created other magazine systems, like a dual cylinder pistol and a 4-cylinder rifle. None of these weapons went into production. The percussion revolver is the only one known to exist.
That’s all for now folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article Ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counter Strategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Floridajolt.com, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Contact him at [email protected]