| Place | Oceania: Australia, Tasmania |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL25822 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Firearm |
| Physical description | Metal, Wood |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, United Kingdom: England, West Midlands, Birmingham |
| Date made | 1864 |
| Conflict |
Australian Colonial Forces, 1854-1900 |
Wilson Carbine : Tasmanian Military Forces
Description
Wilson's Patent breech-loading carbine. Lock marked with a Crown and 1864. Butt has an oval stamp of Herbert & Co, 8 Pall Mall East, London (right), J Ashton, Armourer Hythe (left) and tang is engraved TV 9. Breech is engraved with T WILSON'S PATENT and numbered C598. The carbine is fitted with a cleaning rod below the barrel.
The carbine is loaded by drawing a sliding wedge on the right hand side outwards away from the lock plate. This freed the bolt, which could be drawn backwards, exposing the chamber. A cartridge was then placed in the chamber and the bolt was returned home. The locking wedge was then pushed back into the receiver, securing the bolt. The hammer was placed on half cock and a percussion cap was fitted on the nipple. The carbine could then be fired in the same manner as any percussion weapon.
History / Summary
This carbine is one of 24 purchased by the Tasmanian Colonial Secretary’s office in September 1863. The weapon represents a transitional design, with an early breech loading mechanism combined with a more traditional percussion firing lock.