IDENTIFICACION

[corrado26]

If you look at the photo, there is behind de 2g NGP an M/71, so this was certainly not a nitro based powder but always still black powder. First nitro cartidges in Germany came in 1888 with the infantry rifle M/88.

[fernando]

This HH example has a cylinder for 12 capsules with a considerable caliber (over 14 mm).
Could it be that 2 gr stands for 2 grains and not 2 grams. In any case, if this gun was made to shoot blanks, the amount of powder would be (much) less than for shooting a projectile; notwithstanding it needed to be noisy for the show purpose.
We ignore how these pistols were positioned in their niche; could be that they were introduced through some kind of orifice in that only the fairly long barrels stood out the boat hull, thus giving the impression of a cannon, as the HH caption seems to suggest.

[CSinTX]

Originally Posted by fernando

We ignore how these pistols were positioned in their niche; could be that they were introduced through some kind of orifice in that only the fairly long barrels stood out the boat hull, thus giving the impression of a cannon, as the HH caption seems to suggest.

Seems possible. The barrels do have a stepped profile similar to a ship's cannon.

Its probably safe to say that the trigger was pulled with a string. All examples have a loop at the bottom of the trigger for attachment.

[fernando]

Yes; not only the barrels of both examples have the same (cannon) shape but also their 'stocks' are made to mount in the same type of bed. Definitely both served the same purpose

[Dmitry]

Originally Posted by corrado26

If you look at the photo, there is behind de 2g NGP an M/71, so this was certainly not a nitro based powder but always still black powder. First nitro cartidges in Germany came in 1888 with the infantry rifle M/88.

What does the Neues stand for in this context, if it's not smokeless, but black powder, as you wrote? Was it a new standard for the black powder? Continuing onto the HH lot itself, if this revolver was designated as the Model 1871, doesn't it mean that it was intended for official state business? Also, if the HH auction description is to be believed, then by the time this were used for some kind of war games ca.1900, it was already about 30 years old.
One idea I have about this HH revolver is that it was used in a clock, and would fire a round on the hour mark. 12 chambers make sense in that context.
2 gr. meaning grains, not grams, briefly crossed my mind also, but I doubt that Germans measured the weight of their gunpowder in English terms.

[fernando]

Dmitry, you have a new PM.

[fernando]

Having checked a few sites where wizards discuss these things one may find that:
NGP M71 (Neues Gewehr Pulver) is an improved version of black powder developed for the Mauser rifle 1871.
So ...
The model of these (HH) revolvers doesn't have to be as old as from 1871, but instead the type of gunpowder to produce the effect needed; big bangs with blank ammo. Also in this case, i guess, 2 grams of this powder would be a plausible dosis, considering the fairly large cartridges used.

[Fernando K]

Hi Dimitry and everyone

The recent problem in the vikingsword page has prevented me from participating. To Dimitry's question, he replied that I have only had access to the photograph of the revolver, taken by a friend employed at the Museum. I cannot tell if the barrel is scratched, and there is no cartridge either. But note that there are no marksmanship, which indicates that it was only for firing salvos. Interesting is the dialogue that was achieved by the composition of the gunpowder. I humbly suggest that someone write to the experts at Hermann Historica to find out more. My ignorance of the German language prevents me from doing so.

Affectionately