Author Topic: Not your average pistol. (Read 2451 times)

freakazoid · « **on:** November 01, 2016, 09:22:20 AM »

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a19124/parmigiani-fleurier-freres-rochat-pistol/
Restoration video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkhEnvoPvYs

This was originally built in 1815. This is insane. I can't imagine something so complex and delicate like this being made back then.

RevDisk · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2016, 12:38:51 PM »

Pistol is ugly as hell, but the clockwork is nifty.

As for "complex and delicate back then"

100BC ish tech. Slightly bigger, but also used for actual computing.

TommyGunn · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2016, 12:48:22 PM »

What an amazing device!
Ok, Revdisk, that ancient computer is clever no doubt, but did you see that mechanical bird? It's tiny, yet the articulation is absolutely INCREDIBLE! Your computer doohicky is strictly fifth rate in comparison!

230RN · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2016, 01:03:44 PM »

People are often amazed at the capabilities of past civilizations and children.

The beauty of the Antikytheria mechanism is not only in its manufacture, but in the calculations involved WRT gear teeth, etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism

Lessee now...

CCCLXV.XXV Ã· XXIV = XV.CCXIX teeth on that little gear...

And it's probably not the only one. It's suspected that it's only a sample of a number of them built.

Oh, oh, and women, too. Darned near forgot about them. Much of the math involved in Babbage's Difference Engine was done by this little gal...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace

Hey, no puerile remarks about her name, OK?

Terry, CCXXXRN

Edited to correct XV.CCXIX result.

K Frame · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2016, 01:18:08 PM »

And here I thought that Colt Pythons were ugly as hell...

MechAg94 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2016, 01:34:26 PM »

The thing people forget is everything we make these days has to be duplicated and mass produced. Many of these things also took years to build and perfect. People don't do that sort of thing these days unless they can sell the resulting product for lots of money.

Fly320s · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2016, 01:38:02 PM »

Is it really a pistol if it doesn't shoot?

RevDisk · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2016, 02:07:53 PM »

Quote from: TommyGunn on November 01, 2016, 12:48:22 PM

What an amazing device!
Ok, Revdisk, that ancient computer is clever no doubt, but did you see that mechanical bird? It's tiny, yet the articulation is absolutely INCREDIBLE! Your computer doohicky is strictly fifth rate in comparison!

Gah. So my BC computer is foiled! I must respond with a more dastardly attack!

1773 clockwork swan : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmrFTfsvFGQ

What 230RN said. Lotta math went into that calculator that says bigger things than the calculator. And completely agree with you, it is an amazing mechanical invention. Gaudy packaging, but the clockwork is amazing. Goes to show, humanity has always been capable of amazing things. Just always bond by the technical limitations of one's era.

KD5NRH · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2016, 02:26:26 PM »

Quote from: Fly320s on November 01, 2016, 01:38:02 PM

Is it really a pistol if it doesn't shoot?

Bryco's products were generally referred to as pistols.

RoadKingLarry · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2016, 04:43:42 PM »

Quote from: Fly320s on November 01, 2016, 01:38:02 PM

Is it really a pistol if it doesn't shoot?

Take it to New Jersey and ask them.

charby · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2016, 04:45:14 PM »

Quote from: Mike Irwin on November 01, 2016, 01:18:08 PM

And here I thought that Colt Pythons were ugly as hell...

Hawkmoon · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2016, 07:58:23 PM »

Quote

by the it got its hands on the pistol, the pistol has already been fiddled with six times, damaging many of the intricate workings of the calvary-style pistol.

I didn't know Jesus had a CCW.

freakazoid · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2016, 09:01:44 PM »

Quote from: RevDisk on November 01, 2016, 02:07:53 PM

Gah. So my BC computer is foiled! I must respond with a more dastardly attack!

1773 clockwork swan : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmrFTfsvFGQ

What 230RN said. Lotta math went into that calculator that says bigger things than the calculator. And completely agree with you, it is an amazing mechanical invention. Gaudy packaging, but the clockwork is amazing. Goes to show, humanity has always been capable of amazing things. Just always bond by the technical limitations of one's era.

I'm familiar with the mechanical swan, but it's no where near as detailed as this pistol.

I wouldn't say gaudy packaging. With all the skill and craftsmanship that went into designing and building such an amazing device, why cover it with anything but the finest decoration? The whole thing is a work of art.

230RN · « **Reply #13 on:** November 01, 2016, 09:58:03 PM »

Quote

Quote
by the it got its hands on the pistol, the pistol has already been fiddled with six times, damaging many of the intricate workings of the calvary-style pistol
.

I didn't know Jesus had a CCW.

My somewhat faulty memory tells me that the majority of horse soldiers actually did pronounce it calvary.

TommyGunn · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2016, 11:36:24 PM »

Quote from: 230RN on November 01, 2016, 09:58:03 PM

.

I didn't know Jesus had a CCW.

My somewhat faulty memory tells me that the majority of horse soldiers actually did pronounce it calvary.

Calvary: where Jesus died on the cross.

CAVALRY: what the guy below commanded; ie, horse soldiers. pronounced cav-ul-ree.

230RN · « **Reply #15 on:** November 02, 2016, 12:13:30 AM »

Gee, I didn't know the difference before, so thanks.

Note the word "pronounced." It's not very far-fetched to have a distortion like that enter common parlance, especially since "calvary" is and was in much more common use than "cavalry."

According to something I read long ago in a probably long out-of-print book or article, by a probably long-gone author, that was the pronunciation common to a lot of horse soldiers. This source also mentioned that new recruits who used the correct term "cavalry," were subject to derision. There was no reason for the writer to make a joke about something like that, so I took it as authoritative.

That was in the days before the internet introduced its own distortions and information gaps.

,

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #16 on:** November 02, 2016, 01:04:39 AM »

Quote from: Hawkmoon on November 01, 2016, 07:58:23 PM

I didn't know Jesus had a CCW.

"There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed..."

TommyGunn · « **Reply #17 on:** November 02, 2016, 12:17:49 PM »

Quote from: 230RN on November 02, 2016, 12:13:30 AM

Gee, I didn't know the difference before, so thanks.

Note the word "pronounced." It's not very far-fetched to have a distortion like that enter common parlance, especially since "calvary" is and was in much more common use than "cavalry."

According to something I read long ago in a probably long out-of-print book or article, by a probably long-gone author, that was the pronunciation common to a lot of horse soldiers. This source also mentioned that new recruits who used the correct term "cavalry," were subject to derision. There was no reason for the writer to make a joke about something like that, so I took it as authoritative.

That was in the days before the internet introduced its own distortions and information gaps.

,

Sorry if that post seemed a bit wise-acre-ish.

I've heard people say "Calvary" when they mean "cavalry." There really is a difference (!) and I try to clarify what it is ..... since Jesus did not lead the 7th Calvary to its doom at the Little Bighorn, nor did Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer die on the cross to pay for all of humanity's sins (that image brings up many chortles & guffaws in my mind, BTW) at a place called cavalry. It's just diffferent. Two different words meaning two very different things, but unfortunatly similar enough to evoke confusion in the minds of many people.
I have read much about 19th century cavalry life and have never heard of any soldiers deliberatly using the term "calvary" to mean "cavalry." They said "cavalry" or "horse-soldiers," as you did.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #18 on:** November 02, 2016, 02:33:39 PM »

Christ on Calvary:

Quote

Matthew 27.35-37

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

36 And sitting down they watched him there;

37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.

Christ as cavalry:

Quote

Revelation 19.11-16

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.

TommyGunn · « **Reply #19 on:** November 02, 2016, 05:27:48 PM »

Well THAT settles THAT, apparently!

K Frame · « **Reply #20 on:** November 03, 2016, 06:08:31 AM »

"I didn't know Jesus had a CCW."

He did, but he wasn't carrying that day because his IWB holster was chafing.

See what happens when you don't carry?

Of course, had his sandals had better arch support he could have outrun the Centurions, too.

News:

Author Topic: Not your average pistol. (Read 2451 times)