The THR Walker Club

scrat · February 18, 2008, 09:27 PM

MEMBER

All walkers join on in. Pics welcome.

GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL · February 18, 2008, 09:34 PM

Member....

scrat · February 18, 2008, 09:35 PM

and always welcomed.

DixieTexian · February 18, 2008, 09:45 PM

GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL · February 18, 2008, 09:51 PM

Dixie Texian, WELCOME ABOARD....

Misfire99 · February 18, 2008, 09:58 PM

This thread might be the place to put this. I was just watching the Antiques Road Show. They went to a museum in San Antonio and showed some cap and ball revolvers from the Texas Rangers. The first one they showed was the Paterson. Then went on to show a couple of Walkers and ended with the Dragoon. Something they said about the Walker I had not heard before. They said that the metallurgy of the cylinders was not up to the challenge and they had a habit of exploding when fired. I had not heard this about the Walkers before. But the guy who said it was a curator of a museum that specialized in Old Texas antiques so I suspect that he knows his stuff. Has others heard this about the original Walkers? He also pointed out the problem of the loading lever falling under recoil and then showed how the Dragoon solved these problems.

So what do you all think about the mystery of the exploding Walker cylinders? (sorry I'm reading a lot of Hardy boys with my son.)

DixieTexian · February 18, 2008, 10:06 PM

Some people think it was because most people who were issued them had never shot a revolver before, much less loaded and shot one. That, and the picket bullets issued with them were pretty unusual for the day as well. There is some speculation that they loaded these conical bullets upside down, creating a sort of shape charge in the cylinder.

scrat · February 18, 2008, 10:13 PM

Some Colt Walker info for you

The Walker Colt followed the first successful Colt Revolver, the Paterson model produced between 1836-42. The Republic of Texas was the major purchaser of the early revolver and Samuel Walker became familiar with it during his service as a Texas Ranger. In 1847, Walker was engaged in the Mexican-American War as a captain in the United States Mounted Rifles (USMR- colloquially, but inaccurately, called "Dragoons.") He approached Samuel Colt requesting a large revolver to replace the single shot Aston Johnson holster pistols in use. The 44-.45 caliber revolver would be carried in saddle mounted holsters and would be large enough to dispatch horses as well as enemy soldiers. The Walker Colt was almost sixteen inches long and weighed 4 pounds nine ounces. The initial contract called for 1,000 of the revolvers and accouterments. Colt commissioned Eli Whitney Junior to fill the contract and produced an extra 100 revolvers for private sales and promotional gifts. The Walker Colt was used in the Mexican-American War and on the Texas frontier.

Problems with the Walker included its very large size, ruptured cylinders attributed to primitive metallurgy or (more likely) loading the original picket bullets backwards into the chambers and, an inadequate loading lever catch that often allowed the loading lever to drop during recoil, preventing fast follow-up shots. Period-correct fixes for this often included placing a rawhide loop around both the barrel and loading lever, to prevent the loading lever from dropping under recoil and locking the action.

Subsequent contracts beginning in 1848 followed, for what is today known among collectors as the 1st Dragoon, 2nd Dragoon, and 3rd Colt Dragoon Revolver models that were all based on the Walker Colt, enabling a rapid evolution of the basic revolver design. These improvements included shorter chambers, typically loaded only to 50 grains instead of 60 grains, thereby reducing the occurrence of ruptured cylinders, and the addition of a positive catch at the end of the loading lever to prevent the dropping of the loading lever under recoil.

The Walker Colt was quite powerful, with modern replicas firing modern FFFg blackpowder producing energy levels in excess of 500 foot pounds with both picket bullets and 0.454 inch diameter (141 grain) round ball bullets. The black powder Walker Colt is regarded as the most powerful commercially-manufactured repeating handgun from 1847 until the introduction of the .357 Magnum in 1935, and has a muzzle energy nearly exactly the same as a 4-inch barreled handgun firing a .357 Magnum. The Walker Colt has long maintained a unique position and mystique among handgun users, and its name is often used as a common expression of any overly-large generic handgun example.

Medical officer, John "R.I.P" Ford took a special interest in the Walkers when they arrived at Vera Cruz. He obtained two examples for himself and is the primary source for information about their performance during the war and afterward. His observation that the revolver would carry as far and strike with the same or greater force than the 54 caliber Mississippi Rifle seems to have been based on a single observation of a Mexican soldier hit at a distance of well over one hundred yards. The Walker, like most succeeding martial pistols and revolvers was a practical weapon out to about fifty yards.

Yankee John · February 18, 2008, 10:15 PM

Member!

John

mykeal · February 18, 2008, 10:24 PM

Can I be treasurer? Just send the money to me....

scrat · February 18, 2008, 10:29 PM

Wow very nice pics

Ok roll call

Member List

SCRAT
GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL
DIXIE TEXIAN
YANKEE JOHN
MYKEAL TREASURE

GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL · February 18, 2008, 10:48 PM

Yankee John, NICE REEVOLVA THERE, SUR!!

speckdds@bellsouth.net · February 18, 2008, 10:53 PM

Just posted for help on finding a Walker Holster, then noticed this thread. Purchased my Uberti Walker last month...read your posts and others, and now have fired in various ways 100 rounds. If you'll let a rookie black powder guy join, tell me what to do and I'm in! Thanks again for all your help and information.

mykeal · February 18, 2008, 11:09 PM

Somebody wanted to see targets...

GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL · February 18, 2008, 11:11 PM

Afternoon Mr. MyKeal sir!...Treasurer..hmmm...I think I shall refer to you as the 'Knight of the Money Bins'. You may of course simply refer to me as 'Bwana' or perhaps the 'Great White Hunter'
I myself have a pair of Walkers. One of them has never been fired. It is lubed and put away as a spare.
Well, good evening to you sir....I do so love it when someone can hit the bullseye....

scrat · February 18, 2008, 11:13 PM

OH my nice indeed. very nice mr money man

GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL · February 18, 2008, 11:34 PM

speckkdds@bellsouth.net.. Hell of a name.
Good news for you tonight, sir!
Nothing is required of you other than the fact that you appreciate a fine revolver such as the .44 Colt Walker.
The treasurer, Mr. MyKeal, who serve's as Knight of the Money Bins, may wish to speak with you concerning a few small trivial details such as a minute and paltry sum collected once a year (cash in advance of course) for the priviledge of belonging to the club.
Then of course there's the matter of a small fee (not really even enough for one to sneeze at) that must be paid each time you put the letters 'Colt' or 'Walker' into print on this thread, and of course I'm sure someone has already mentioned to you about the fine you will have to pay if you ever spell the word 'Walker' without using a capital 'W'.
Other than that I guess that's about it. There are a few other little things such as a licensing fee for the right to brag on this thread (the premium license which cost's only a bit more will give you the right to tell lies on here) and what have you but someone else will get with you on that and the other little odds and ends I forgot to mention.
In the meanwhile, WELCOME ABOARD....

scrat · February 18, 2008, 11:45 PM

hahahahahahaha

oh shoot. i was drinking a glass of orange juice when i read this. i almost spit it all up i was laughing so hard.

yes you can not use the word WALKER unles the W is capitalized.

Later on we will require BOLD PRINT

roa hand guns not allowed

WALKER only

mukluk · February 18, 2008, 11:49 PM

My best shooting to date at 50 yards:

Load was 55gr Goex 3f, Hornady .454 balls with Crisco and CCI #11 mag caps.

Yehen · February 19, 2008, 12:06 AM

Man...50 yards. That's awesome. Don't think I could shoot that accurate with a modern handgun.

Warren · February 19, 2008, 01:20 AM

Don't own one but I like 'em.

bigbadgun · February 19, 2008, 06:57 AM

Ok ok let me throw my horse pistol up hear also.

GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL · February 19, 2008, 08:20 AM

Scrat, good morning. Fine thread you'vd got started here!
Damn good idea about the bold print. I like that!....

GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL · February 19, 2008, 08:25 AM

Mukluk, that is some passable shooting right there. If I have to go to war I want you standing next to me....

GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL · February 19, 2008, 08:26 AM

Warren, good morning....

February 18, 2008, 09:34 PM	#2
GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL Member. Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 1,632	Member.... Last edited by GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL; February 22, 2008 at 12:57 PM.

February 18, 2008, 09:35 PM	#3
scrat Member Join Date: January 27, 2007 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 6,882	and always welcomed. __________________ *MOLON LABE*

February 18, 2008, 09:45 PM	#4
DixieTexian Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Somewhere down in Texas Posts: 382	__________________ Blessed are the left-handed, for they shall inherit the earth.

February 18, 2008, 09:51 PM	#5
GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL Member. Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 1,632	Dixie Texian, WELCOME ABOARD.... Last edited by GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL; February 22, 2008 at 12:57 PM.

February 18, 2008, 10:06 PM	#7
DixieTexian Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Somewhere down in Texas Posts: 382	Some people think it was because most people who were issued them had never shot a revolver before, much less loaded and shot one. That, and the picket bullets issued with them were pretty unusual for the day as well. There is some speculation that they loaded these conical bullets upside down, creating a sort of shape charge in the cylinder. __________________ Blessed are the left-handed, for they shall inherit the earth.

February 18, 2008, 09:27 PM	#1
scrat Member Join Date: January 27, 2007 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 6,882	The THR Walker Club MEMBER All walkers join on in. Pics welcome. __________________ *MOLON LABE*

February 18, 2008, 09:58 PM	#6
Misfire99 member Join Date: August 9, 2007 Posts: 332	This thread might be the place to put this. I was just watching the Antiques Road Show. They went to a museum in San Antonio and showed some cap and ball revolvers from the Texas Rangers. The first one they showed was the Paterson. Then went on to show a couple of Walkers and ended with the Dragoon. Something they said about the Walker I had not heard before. They said that the metallurgy of the cylinders was not up to the challenge and they had a habit of exploding when fired. I had not heard this about the Walkers before. But the guy who said it was a curator of a museum that specialized in Old Texas antiques so I suspect that he knows his stuff. Has others heard this about the original Walkers? He also pointed out the problem of the loading lever falling under recoil and then showed how the Dragoon solved these problems. So what do you all think about the mystery of the exploding Walker cylinders? (sorry I'm reading a lot of Hardy boys with my son.)

February 18, 2008, 10:13 PM	#8
scrat Member Join Date: January 27, 2007 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 6,882	Some Colt Walker info for you The Walker Colt followed the first successful Colt Revolver, the Paterson model produced between 1836-42. The Republic of Texas was the major purchaser of the early revolver and Samuel Walker became familiar with it during his service as a Texas Ranger. In 1847, Walker was engaged in the Mexican-American War as a captain in the United States Mounted Rifles (USMR- colloquially, but inaccurately, called "Dragoons.") He approached Samuel Colt requesting a large revolver to replace the single shot Aston Johnson holster pistols in use. The 44-.45 caliber revolver would be carried in saddle mounted holsters and would be large enough to dispatch horses as well as enemy soldiers. The Walker Colt was almost sixteen inches long and weighed 4 pounds nine ounces. The initial contract called for 1,000 of the revolvers and accouterments. Colt commissioned Eli Whitney Junior to fill the contract and produced an extra 100 revolvers for private sales and promotional gifts. The Walker Colt was used in the Mexican-American War and on the Texas frontier. Problems with the Walker included its very large size, ruptured cylinders attributed to primitive metallurgy or (more likely) loading the original picket bullets backwards into the chambers and, an inadequate loading lever catch that often allowed the loading lever to drop during recoil, preventing fast follow-up shots. Period-correct fixes for this often included placing a rawhide loop around both the barrel and loading lever, to prevent the loading lever from dropping under recoil and locking the action. Subsequent contracts beginning in 1848 followed, for what is today known among collectors as the 1st Dragoon, 2nd Dragoon, and 3rd Colt Dragoon Revolver models that were all based on the Walker Colt, enabling a rapid evolution of the basic revolver design. These improvements included shorter chambers, typically loaded only to 50 grains instead of 60 grains, thereby reducing the occurrence of ruptured cylinders, and the addition of a positive catch at the end of the loading lever to prevent the dropping of the loading lever under recoil. The Walker Colt was quite powerful, with modern replicas firing modern FFFg blackpowder producing energy levels in excess of 500 foot pounds with both picket bullets and 0.454 inch diameter (141 grain) round ball bullets. The black powder Walker Colt is regarded as the most powerful commercially-manufactured repeating handgun from 1847 until the introduction of the .357 Magnum in 1935, and has a muzzle energy nearly exactly the same as a 4-inch barreled handgun firing a .357 Magnum. The Walker Colt has long maintained a unique position and mystique among handgun users, and its name is often used as a common expression of any overly-large generic handgun example. Medical officer, John "R.I.P" Ford took a special interest in the Walkers when they arrived at Vera Cruz. He obtained two examples for himself and is the primary source for information about their performance during the war and afterward. His observation that the revolver would carry as far and strike with the same or greater force than the 54 caliber Mississippi Rifle seems to have been based on a single observation of a Mexican soldier hit at a distance of well over one hundred yards. The Walker, like most succeeding martial pistols and revolvers was a practical weapon out to about fifty yards. __________________ *MOLON LABE*

February 18, 2008, 10:15 PM	#9
Yankee John Member Join Date: September 4, 2005 Location: Minnesota USA Posts: 146	Member! John Last edited by Yankee John; April 11, 2013 at 12:23 PM.

February 18, 2008, 10:24 PM	#10
mykeal Member Join Date: September 9, 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,892	Life Member Can I be treasurer? Just send the money to me....

February 18, 2008, 10:29 PM	#11
scrat Member Join Date: January 27, 2007 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 6,882	Wow very nice pics Ok roll call Member List SCRAT GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL DIXIE TEXIAN YANKEE JOHN MYKEAL TREASURE __________________ *MOLON LABE*

February 18, 2008, 10:48 PM	#12
GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL Member. Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 1,632	Yankee John, NICE REEVOLVA THERE, SUR!!

February 18, 2008, 10:53 PM	#13
speckdds@bellsouth.net Member Join Date: February 4, 2008 Location: Cane Ridge, Tennessee Posts: 4	Just posted for help on finding a Walker Holster, then noticed this thread. Purchased my Uberti Walker last month...read your posts and others, and now have fired in various ways 100 rounds. If you'll let a rookie black powder guy join, tell me what to do and I'm in! Thanks again for all your help and information.

February 18, 2008, 11:09 PM	#14
mykeal Member Join Date: September 9, 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,892	Somebody wanted to see targets...

February 18, 2008, 11:11 PM	#15
GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL Member. Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 1,632	Afternoon Mr. MyKeal sir!...Treasurer..hmmm...I think I shall refer to you as the 'Knight of the Money Bins'. You may of course simply refer to me as 'Bwana' or perhaps the 'Great White Hunter' I myself have a pair of Walkers. One of them has never been fired. It is lubed and put away as a spare. Well, good evening to you sir....I do so love it when someone can hit the bullseye.... Last edited by GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL; February 19, 2008 at 08:51 PM.

February 18, 2008, 11:13 PM	#16
scrat Member Join Date: January 27, 2007 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 6,882	OH my nice indeed. very nice mr money man __________________ *MOLON LABE*

February 18, 2008, 11:34 PM	#17
GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL Member. Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 1,632	speckkdds@bellsouth.net.. Hell of a name. Good news for you tonight, sir! Nothing is required of you other than the fact that you appreciate a fine revolver such as the .44 Colt Walker. The treasurer, Mr. MyKeal, who serve's as Knight of the Money Bins, may wish to speak with you concerning a few small trivial details such as a minute and paltry sum collected once a year (cash in advance of course) for the priviledge of belonging to the club. Then of course there's the matter of a small fee (not really even enough for one to sneeze at) that must be paid each time you put the letters 'Colt' or 'Walker' into print on this thread, and of course I'm sure someone has already mentioned to you about the fine you will have to pay if you ever spell the word 'Walker' without using a capital 'W'. Other than that I guess that's about it. There are a few other little things such as a licensing fee for the right to brag on this thread (the premium license which cost's only a bit more will give you the right to tell lies on here) and what have you but someone else will get with you on that and the other little odds and ends I forgot to mention. In the meanwhile, WELCOME ABOARD.... Last edited by GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL; February 22, 2008 at 12:57 PM.

February 18, 2008, 11:45 PM	#18
scrat Member Join Date: January 27, 2007 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 6,882	hahahahahahaha oh shoot. i was drinking a glass of orange juice when i read this. i almost spit it all up i was laughing so hard. yes you can not use the word WALKER unles the W is capitalized. Later on we will require BOLD PRINT roa hand guns not allowed WALKER only __________________ *MOLON LABE*

February 18, 2008, 11:49 PM	#19
mukluk Member Join Date: January 14, 2007 Location: Clyde, Texas Posts: 127	My best shooting to date at 50 yards: Load was 55gr Goex 3f, Hornady .454 balls with Crisco and CCI #11 mag caps.

February 19, 2008, 12:06 AM	#20
Yehen Member Join Date: December 23, 2007 Posts: 69	Man...50 yards. That's awesome. Don't think I could shoot that accurate with a modern handgun.

February 19, 2008, 01:20 AM	#21
Warren Member Join Date: April 5, 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,454	Don't own one but I like 'em. __________________ Firearms are great equalizers, which is why some people don't want you to own any. Firearms help people fight evil, which is why some people don't want you to own any. Firearms make a person more self reliant, which is why...well you get the idea.

February 19, 2008, 08:20 AM	#23
GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL Member. Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 1,632	Scrat, good morning. Fine thread you'vd got started here! Damn good idea about the bold print. I like that!....

February 19, 2008, 08:25 AM	#24
GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL Member. Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 1,632	Mukluk, that is some passable shooting right there. If I have to go to war I want you standing next to me....

February 19, 2008, 08:26 AM	#25
GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL Member. Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 1,632	Warren, good morning....