The best hunting rifles of the 19th century
At the beginning of the 19th century there was a real breakthrough in the history of firearms. This is due to the appearance of the first percussion-capsule guns. The first shock train was opened in France at the end of the 18th century. Thanks to the experiments of a priest from Scotland, Forsyth, weapons appeared that used a completely new type of ammunition.
In 1815, the first capsules appeared that had fulminate of mercury as a percussion composition. In 1817, the first examples of capsule guns appeared. In modern museums you can find such ancient models that are perfectly preserved.
Most early shotguns, even those equipped with the new primer system, remained muzzle-loading or ramrod-loading. These were both smooth-bore and rifled models. Since their main problem was the insufficient rate of fire, work was constantly underway to create breech-loading models of hunting rifles. It was only in the 19th century that these efforts were finally crowned with success. The first gun of this type appeared in France in 1808. It was invented by the then famous gunsmith Poli. Despite the fact that about 10 years remained before the advent of percussion cartridges, breech-loading hunting weapons already existed.
Bolt-action hunting weapon
Another popular system that is trying to supplant the classic double-barreled shotguns are bolt-action shotguns. This is a single-barreled weapon, which is usually rifled. The most famous representative of this category is the legendary Mosin rifle, which was used both in war and hunting. The famous kulak sawn-off shotgun is a shortened rifle of the Mosin system.
In Soviet times, these sawn-off shotguns were mercilessly confiscated and destroyed, but after the revolution, Mosin rifles were made into smooth-bore hunting weapons for a long time. Currently, any hunter who has the right to purchase a rifle can buy a real three-line gun for hunting. You can choose between a regular rifle and a sniper rifle, which was made from the best components. True, it costs 3 times more.
The structure of a hunting rifle and the principle of its operation
The term “gun” used to mean flint. Only many decades later this term began to be used to refer to firearms intended for hunting and combat. Most modern shotguns have a fixed or breakable barrel. The gun consists of the following parts:
- trunk;
- Castle;
- Pads;
- Descent;
- Forend;
- Butt;
- Shakes;
- Pads;
- Triggers and other parts that differ from model to model.
The internal parts of the gun may differ from each other due to different systems. Some of them are reloaded by cocking the hammers, others by the pump-action method or based on the operation of automatic powder gases.
The gun fires when the shooter pulls the trigger, which actuates the trigger. It engages the firing pin, which breaks the cartridge's primer. After this, a shot occurs.
18th century hunting weapons
In the 18th century, the concept of gun caliber was clearly defined. Different models began to be produced, each of which was intended specifically for its own niche. All the guns that were produced at that time would now be called piece guns, since they were made only to order. This resulted in their high cost. The most common types of guns were:
- Single-barrel or double-barrel threaded fittings. Their caliber varied from 16 to 26 mm. It was a very powerful weapon, the direct ancestor of combat muskets. Their main difference was the presence of a rifled barrel. With the fitting, it was possible to go after a large animal without fear, since its destructive power was extremely high;
- Single-barrel rifled carbines, whose caliber was about 12.5 mm;
- Rifled single-barreled rifles, whose caliber varied from 7 to 9 mm. This weapon was much lighter, so it was suitable for hunting medium-sized animals;
- Combination guns appeared. One barrel was usually smooth, and the second was rifled. Unlike modern combination models, these guns had horizontal barrels;
- Smoothbore guns. The most popular and cheapest weapon, very popular in Russia in those years. Wealthier shooters bought double-barreled weapons, while the rest were content with simple single-barreled guns. Smoothbore models had a caliber from 15 to 20 mm. Their weight ranged from 2.6 to 4 kg. Naturally, lighter hunting weapons were much more expensive;
- The first shotguns designed for birds, mainly waterfowl, also appeared. They were smooth-bore, could have one or two barrels, and varied in weight from 4 to 6.5 kg. The caliber of these guns ranged from 19 to 26 mm. Such heavy models were not very popular among hunters.
All of the above models were, as a rule, flint, since the percussion cap lock appeared only in the 19th century.
How to choose a gun for hunting
Currently, the choice of hunting rifles is extremely wide. Previously, a Soviet hunter could choose among several models made in Tula or Izhevsk, and even those were represented by single-barreled and double-barreled guns. As for the choice of rifled weapons, Soviet hunters could also choose from several models, but this was not available to everyone.
Now the choice is extremely wide. For the domestic shooter, not only domestically produced models are available, but also many foreign brands. The weapon rating, which can be found on the pages of specialized publications or on the Internet, will help you make a choice.
Russian-made shotguns can be divided into modern and Soviet models. Don’t think that it’s impossible to buy a new Soviet gun now. Many Tula and Izhevsk models are still produced unchanged. The most popular are vertical and horizontal double-barreled shotguns. Combination shotguns are in small but steady demand. Semiautomatic devices based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle are also very popular.
The main advantage of Russian weapons is their price, but the build quality of Russian models is very mediocre, so they need to be independently modified.
Turkish guns are the best choice between price and quality. A good Turkish double-barreled shotgun or semi-automatic is copied from well-known European and American brands. Unlike Russian-made hunting weapons, Turkish ones are assembled of quite high quality. The Turks make excellent vertical and horizontal double-barreled shotguns, as well as self-loading models.
Feedback from users of Turkish shotguns is mostly good. The only criticisms are the butts for shotguns, the plastic of which is often scratched. The only way to avoid this trouble is to buy Turkish guns from wood. The internal structure of the mechanisms of this weapon is simple and reliable.
German and Italian guns are of very high quality. This is evidenced by the annual ratings in which they occupy the highest positions. As for the price, German shotguns are not affordable for every hunter. But they are light, and all their mechanisms work flawlessly.
Weapons of Lefauchet and Flaubert
The best models of the 19th century are considered to be the works of Lefauchet and Flaubert. Lefoshe in 1835-36 created the first breech-loading gun, which used unitary pin cartridges. The new hunting weapon worked according to the following scheme:
- The barrels folded back, after which the shooter could quickly insert cartridges into them;
- When firing, the trigger hit a special pin that protruded from the cartridge case;
- Thus, the capsule exploded.
Lefoshe cartridges were very popular in their years, they are produced even today.
In 1842, new ammunition with rimfire cartridges appeared. They were created by Flaubert, who himself was a passionate hunter. These cartridges do not have a powder charge. In 1856, Flaubert's cartridges were improved by Beringer, who added gunpowder to them. Such ammunition is still used today. But the central firing cartridge, which is currently the most common, was invented by Potte. As often happens, another person received a patent for his invention. It was Schneider.
After some time, a group of English gunsmiths developed a new weapon that used center-fire cartridges. Soon all cartridges of this type received a brass sleeve.
Pump-action and bolt-action shotguns
In modern Russia, many are sure that pump-action shotguns appeared in the 1980s. In fact, the first weapon of this type appeared in 1883 in the USA. For more than 130 years, this system has proven itself to be reliable and trouble-free. Currently, pump-action shotguns are also produced by domestic arms factories, although the pump-action shotgun has never been able to catch up in popularity with the classic double-barreled shotgun. Reloading in such systems occurs due to manual movement of the forend.
Turkish guns of this system and American ones are very popular in Russia. Shotguns are available in various calibers:
- 12 gauge shotguns are considered the most powerful and versatile;
- 16 gauge shotguns are more specific. They are not recommended for big game hunting;
- 20 gauge shotgun - only for medium and small game. They are lighter in weight.
Currently, pump-action systems are replacing semi-automatic models from the weapons arena. One of the most famous domestic representatives of this category is the MP-155 semi-automatic shotgun.
Tula hunting rifles and their features
The Tula arms factory was founded in 1712. Until 1902, the plant worked for the army, but then the flow of orders dried up, and production had to be urgently reoriented to the production of weapons for hunting.
The first serial hunting weapon put into production was the TOZ-B double-barreled trigger gun. It was a classic Russian-made horizontal hammer-fired double-barreled shotgun, which was produced until 1956. The following year, the popular model was replaced by the TOZ-BM double-barreled shotgun. During the Second World War, TOZ-B shotguns were often used to make sawn-off shotguns, which were used by underground fighters and partisans.
Currently, the plant produces many models, among which double-barreled shotguns predominate, occupying the highest places in Russian ratings. TOZ shotguns come in regular, piece and souvenir versions. In addition, the Tula plant produces the TOZ-112 combination shotgun. Now the plant does not produce sports variants, but previously the line included the TOZ-57 model, which is a sports model based on the TOZ-34.
Currently the plant produces the following models:
- TOZ-34;
- TOZ-120;
- TOZ-200 are all double-barreled shotguns;
- Self-loading shotgun TOZ-88;
- MC-20-01;
- Self-loading carbine TOZ-99;
- TOZ-78 is a small gun with manual reloading. Together with the self-loading model TOZ-99, it is suitable for sports and recreational shooting;
- TOZ-94 – pump-action;
- TOZ-122 and several other models.
It is recommended to purchase piece guns that are assembled using a large amount of manual labor.
Sawed-off shotgun "Death of the Chairman"
In the early 1990s, someone from the management of the Tula plant came up with the idea of producing a shotgun reminiscent of a sawed-off Mosin rifle. This is how the twentieth caliber gun TOZ-106 appeared. This sawn-off shotgun, which has a folding stock, was produced from 1993 to 2011. Despite its complete unsuitability as a hunting weapon, the TOZ-106 is popular in Russia. A sawn-off shotgun of this brand is suitable for recreational shooting, and a twentieth caliber is sufficient for self-defense or security.
The TOZ-106 sawn-off shotgun has a low but stable rating. The big disadvantage of the design is the presence of a folding stock, but the length of the sawn-off shotgun is not subject to Russian legislation without it. Currently, it is very difficult to buy a gun of this brand, since it has not been produced for a long time, and many do not want to part with this charismatic weapon. If you want to purchase a TOZ-106 sawn-off shotgun, you need to be prepared to shell out an amount that is several times higher than the cost of a new weapon in the 2000s.
The gun is very simple in design, so failures of its mechanisms are extremely rare.
Izhevsk guns and their diversity
Izhevsk guns are the main competitor of the Tula Arms Plant. Unlike its competitor, the Izhevsk plant produces a wider range of weapons for hunting. Among them there are several models of weapons for sport shooting.
Experienced hunters advise buying Izhevsk guns that were produced in the USSR. It is advisable to look for piece models in excellent condition. Here is an incomplete list of the most popular and sought-after IL models:
- MP-18M single-barreled shotgun;
- Double-barreled shotgun MP-27M;
- MP-133 pump-action shotgun;
- Self-loading shotgun MP-155.
In addition, the plant produces many different models to suit every taste.
