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1934.33.1.12

Screwdriver. [DCF Court Team 24/2/2003]

On display

1934.33.1.12

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Collection type
Object
Description
Screwdriver. [DCF Court Team 24/2/2003]
Cultural groups
English
Person
Maker William Tranter
Field collector Unknown Collector
PRM source Sylvia Wood
PRM source Dorothea Wood
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1861
Date collected
By 1934
Acquisition information
Donated: 1934
Materials and processes
Material Metal, Material Wood Plant
Dimensions
Length: max 114 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1934.33.1.12
Research and responses

Although William Tranter was a gunsmith, his name is also used for a generic sort of firearm, so he might not be the manufacturer [AP 03/05/2007]

Related Documents File - i) Letter from Bob Oliver to Linda Mowat dated 2 November, 1988: 'Although Wm. Tranter was well known for his double triggered revolver, i.e. the one in your display, he also produced more standard weapons one of which was adopted by the British Army.' Letter also accompanied by xeroxed copies of excerpts from Guns in Colour by Logan Thompson, An Illustrated History of Guns and Small Arms by Rosa and May, English Pistols by Howard L. Blackmore, Revolvers 1870-1940 by Jan V. Hogg, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Firearms by Jan V. Hogg, The World's Great Guns, by Frederick Witherson. ii) Notes by R. Oliver, including extract from Illustrated Encylcopedia of 19th Century Firearms by Myatt: 'In 1853, a Birmingham gunmaker, William Tranter, produced an ingenious double action lock which was intended to give the Adams-type revolver the same capacity for deliberate shooting as the Colt, whilst not sacrficing its speed at close quarters . . . When fast double action shooting was necessary both triggers were operated together and although according to J. N. George in his English Pistols and Revolvers, one critic objected that nobody could be expected to play "cornet a piston" in hand to hand struggle, the system proved both popular and effective.' [GI 4/12/2001]

Search terms: Firearm Weapon, Tool, Firearm Accessory

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