Tap-Action Pistol
Various British Gunmakers · Pistol · Discontinued · 1770
Also known as: Tap Action Pocket Pistol, Over and Under Tap-Action Flintlock, Box-Lock Tap-Action Pistol
Overview
The Tap-Action Pistol is a class of Georgian-era British over-and-under double-barrel flintlock pocket pistol built on a box-lock action. Its defining feature is the tap action: a small lever (the tap) on the left side of the frame rotates a primed flash chamber so that, after the first barrel fires, the shooter taps the lever to redirect the priming to the second barrel for an immediate second shot without reloading. Typically built in .40 to .45 caliber with brass frames, walnut grips, and turn-off barrels for loading, these compact concealable pistols were popular for self-defense from roughly 1770 to 1830.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 450 g (15.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 210 mm (8.27") |
| Barrel Length | 76 mm (2.99") |
| Height | 105 mm (4.13") |
| Width | 32 mm (1.26") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 180 m/s (591 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 136 J (100 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 10 m (11 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Brass |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Polished Brass |
Calibers
- .45 Caliber Ball · primary — also known as 45 cal round ball, 11.4mm ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded, Breech Loaded Turn Off Barrel
- Safety mechanisms: Sliding Safety, Half Cock Notch
- Features: Over Under Barrels, Box Lock Action, Tap Action Barrel Selector, Turn Off Barrels, Concealable Pocket Size, Folding Or No Trigger Guard
Service history
Operators
- British Gentry and Civilians
- British Army Officers (privately purchased)
Production
Production years: c. 1770-1830
Produced by numerous independent British gunmakers including Ryan & Watson, Nicholson, Thomas Perrins of Windsor, and many London and provincial makers; no centralized production totals exist.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Discontinued: 1830
Notes
Most examples are two-barrel over-and-under designs, though some makers produced three- and four-barrel tap-action pistols. The single doghead cock and single trigger of the box-lock made the design compact and pocketable.
Background
Compact tap-action pistols were carried in greatcoat pockets and muffs by the gentry and by officers alike, and were equally favored, as period accounts note, by gentlemen and by cutthroats. The tap mechanism offered a second shot at a time when most firearms were strictly single-shot, a meaningful edge in a close-quarters duel or robbery before the percussion revolver made multi-barrel flintlocks obsolete.