The North and Skinner revolving rifle and shotgun,Designed and patented in 1852 Henry North and Chau

The North and Skinner revolving rifle and shotgun,Designed and patented in 1852 Henry North and Chaucey Skinner, the North and Skinner was a percussion rifle and shotgun, of which 80% were produced as .44 caliber rifles, and 20% as .60 caliber smoothbore shotguns.  A third part in the North and Skinner’s creation was Edward Savage, a wealthy industrialist who served as financier and business partner.  The North and Skinners was a single action cap and ball revolver.  The hammer lacked a spur for cocking, however a unique system was used to cock the action and turn the cylinder.  The trigger guard served as a lever which worked the action.Like most American cap and ball revolvers, a loading lever was located in front of the cylinder, used as a ramrod to compress loose powder and ball which was loaded by hand into each chamber.  Revolving rifles never became popular because host gasses from the cylinder tended to burn the shooters forearm.  The North and Skinner solved this problem by introducing a system in which when cocked, the cylinder would move forward, formed a seal.  The system used by the M1895 Nagant revolver was similar in concept.  Despite it’s interesting features, the North and Skinner never became popular.  Only 600 were produced between 1856 and 1859. -- source link

More pics about