Internal or external hammers on a coachgun?

A

Andrewh

New member
I noticed on most of the posts concerning coach guns for cas, that they are internal hammers. Why is this? Just speed? or do the externals have breakage problems?
 
The external hammer guns evolved from the flintlock smoothbore, which itself gave way to the percussion fired smoothbore and finally, to internal hammers. Check out W.W. Greener's, The Gun and its Development (Someone correct me if I quoted the title wrong - thanks!). So, for CAS, the external hammers are more appropriate.
 
Howdy,

Except in the hands of a very experienced shooter, a hammerless double will be faster than a hammered double. With proper technique, a hammered double can be shot very fast. And, a lot of the hammered guns are older, and breakage may mean a tough hunt for the replacement part. Hammerless doubles were around in the Old West, but prevalence depends on the time period.

Bellicose Bill
 
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