Frank Wesson Two-Trigger Rifle
Frank Wesson · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1859
Also known as: Frank Wesson Two-Trigger Carbine, Wesson M.1859, Frank Wesson Twin-Trigger Rifle
Overview
The Frank Wesson Two-Trigger Rifle is a single-shot, break-action breech-loading rifle produced in Worcester, Massachusetts from 1859. Its distinctive twin-trigger layout uses a forward trigger to release the single under-lug lock so the barrel tips up for loading a rimfire metallic cartridge, while the rear trigger fires the gun. Chambered in .22, .32, .38 and .44 rimfire, the .44 Long Rimfire military pattern saw widespread Civil War use, purchased by numerous Union state governments as a light cavalry and sporting arm.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2722 g (96.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 991 mm (39.02") |
| Barrel Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 335 m/s (1099 fps) |
| Effective Range | 183 m (200 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 8 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .44 Long Rimfire · primary — also known as .44 Long RF, .44 Wesson
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Tip Up Break Action, Two Trigger Mechanism, Single Under Lug Lock, Octagonal Barrel
Variants
- Frank Wesson Two-Trigger Carbine - Carbine
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1862
- State of Kentucky
- State of Missouri
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 44,000 · Production years: 1859-1888
Approximately 20,000 made by 1866 (around 8,000 sold to military buyers); roughly 44,000 produced in total through the production run, with two-trigger models forming the core of civilian sales.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Frank Wesson
Discontinued: 1888
Notes
Offered with 24-inch (approx. 6 lb), 28-inch (approx. 7 lb) and 30-inch (approx. 8 lb) octagonal barrels; specifications listed are for the 24-inch .44 Long Rimfire pattern. Frank Wesson made progressive improvements across the production run, producing First Type and Second Type (M.1859) variants.
Background
Frank Wesson was the younger brother of Daniel B. Wesson of Smith & Wesson fame. His simple, robust two-trigger breechloader was among the first rifles to embrace self-contained rimfire metallic cartridges, earning a strong reputation for reliability in the field during the Civil War.