Research Press - Print Page

Research Press
http://www.lrml.org/cgi-bin/researchpress/YaBB.pl
British Firearms (Pre. 1914) >> Breech Loading - Military Rifles >> Calisher & Terry
http://www.lrml.org/cgi-bin/researchpress/YaBB.pl?num=1129544047

Message started by A._Roads on 10/17/05 at 11:14am

Title: Calisher & Terry
Post by A._Roads on 10/17/05 at 11:14am

Hi all,
I've started doing some research on Calisher & Terry rifles, mainly for those used by Colonial Volunteers in Australia, but I'm having difficulty with the rarity of these in accessing samples to draw data from, if anyone knows someone that has one that I can communicate with to answer a list of detail queries I'd be most grateful. This is regards the rifle, not the carbine.

I'm hoping to get some idea of the serial numbers that Calisher & Terry used on any of their guns with known dates. So if anyone has/knows of a Calisher & Terry with a serial number & knows (or has a fairly good idea) of when it was made/issued that would also be most helpful.

Also my reference books have precious little about this maker & their arms, if anyone knows of a detailed article or account I'm all ears! (so to speak).

Thanks in advance for any help. Adrian.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by dbm on 10/17/05 at 6:50pm

A 30-bore Calisher & Terry Capping Breeechloading Carbine No. 6057 was auctioned by Hall's last week. (I don't know the price realised yet). The lock plate is marked "CALISHER & Terry 1865".

'Guns Review' March 1980 has a single page article on "A Calisher and Terry Sporting Rifle" and 'Target Gun' August 1990 had an article on "Shooting the Capping Breechloader" which includes the C&T.

I have the new MLAGB (http://www.mlagb.com) magazine to send you for your contribution so will photocopy the articles and send them too.

David

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by A._Roads on 10/18/05 at 5:28am

Hi David,
Thank you very much for that on both counts!
Best Regards, Adrian.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by Dave on 11/02/05 at 2:58pm

Adrian,

I don't know if I can help much, but I have done a little online research on the Calisher & Terry, so I thought I might share what little I have dug up in the past.

Theres a picture of a NZ Calisher & Terry S/N 8234, unfortunately undated at

http://www.antiquearms.org.nz/ColourPics/AuckLetterC/AGF00031.jpg

Another picture of a 1865 dated carbine (S/N 9057)
http://www.oldguns.co.uk/images/calishers.jpg

The Calisher & Terry trade logo can be seen at

http://www.peterdyson.co.uk/acatalog/TL38.jpg

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by A._Roads on 11/03/05 at 1:56am

Dave,

Thank you for that I'll follow those up.

Regards, Adrian.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by Dave on 11/12/05 at 1:39pm

Adrian,

Just a short excerpt from Pollards History of Firearms (pg 250-1) on the Calisher & Terry. I realise that you would know most, if not all of the quoted material, but I thought I would provide the quote verbatim and complete, just in case there is some nugget of information which might help you.

"A final class of action with a sliding breech bolt might almost be classed as a bolt action. Indeed, had it been invented twenty years earlier it would undoubtedly have been classed by most students as a transition piece between the types listed above (Westley Richards, Merrill and Marston actions) and the true bolt actions described later. This was the Terry breech loader patented in 1856 by William Terry of Birmingham, England. This interesting weapon employed a hinged arm on the right side of the breech which pivoted laterally and could then be pulled back. With this action it retracted a sliding breech bolt and opened a loading hole in the side of the breech just behind the hammer. A cartridge could then be inserted in this hole and the bolt slid forward again to push the cartridge into the chamber. When the arm was folded back into place along the side of the breech a lug engaged a slot for locking purposes and the tip of the lever arm fitted into the loading hole. When the cartridge was properly seated its side was opposite the channel from the percussion nipple, so that the flash from the cap ignited the powder charge in the centre. Like the Marston and the Westley Richards, this cartridge also had a greased wad at its base which helped the coned head of the breech bolt form a tight seal and which also performed the same cleaning and lubricating functions claimed for two previously described arms.

The Terry, apparently, was an excellent arm, and the greased wad worked effeciently both as a seal and a cleaner. In one test made aboard HMS Excellent in 1858, a Terry carbine fired a total of 1800 rounds without cleaning, an unheard of achievement for a black powder arm of that era. Some Terry carbines were purchased for experimental issue to selected cavalry units in Great Britain, and more were purchased for use by Confederate troops during the American Civil War."

Apparently the Calisher & Terry influenced the bolt design on the Vetterli rifle. See

http://www.swissrifles.com/vetterli/

Some other information which I am unable to verify, is that some were bought by the Russians and were later converted to fire metallic centre fire cartridges by the Tula armoury. I've also read that Confederate general Jeb Stuart carried one, but again I'm not able to confirm the truth of that.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by A._Roads on 11/15/05 at 2:14am

Hi Dave,

Thanks for that, I actually have suprising little info on these to date so this is quite helpful. Adrian.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by dbm on 11/15/05 at 7:01am

Well there's some more finally on it's way... the two magazne articles I mentioned (plus a couple of copies of Black Powder!)

David

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by A._Roads on 11/18/05 at 8:20pm

Thank you very much for those David, arrived in the mail yesterday! Very kind & helpful of you, regards to Kim for a sterling job on a terrific magazine. Adrian.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by Dave on 12/07/05 at 2:11pm

Adrian,

If you're still interested in the Calisher & Terry, I have managed to confirm that Confederate general Jeb Stuart carried one (or is alleged to have). The URL is

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DOuf0ilwZp8J:www.maxanet.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi%3Fcondon/15812+terry+ammunition+calisher&hl=en

If the link doesn't work, then you can view the individual pictures at

http://www.davidcondon.com/images/P8010363.JPG
http://www.davidcondon.com/images/P8010364.JPG
http://www.davidcondon.com/images/P8010365.JPG

The accompanying text reads

"BRILLIANT CASED CALISHER & TERRY PERCUSSION CIVIL WAR ERA CARBINE. ($7250)

Brilliant Cased Calisher & Terry Percussion Civil War Era Carbine. Particularly rare with its original "tin" finish. In very nearly new condition, it retains nearly all of that finish. It is signed with the merchandiser's name on the lockplate "Charles Nephew & Co." and on the barrel "Charles Nephew & Co. Calcutta". The wood is additionally in mint condition with all of the original piano finish. Very finely figured walnut with a light stain to complement the "tin" finish. Possibly unfired, it has a mint .52-caliber rifled bore. In its original golden oak case with its original green baize lining. Included in the case are a mint fluted flask with patent charger, the original sling, brass bullet mold, a large 500-count box of "Terry's Patent" percussion caps, and another tin as well. The case and lining are outstanding, and the accessories are all excellent-plus to near mint. A small number saw service with the Southern Confederacy during the Civil War. Jeb Stuart was known to have carried one. 100 percent original and certainly the finest example known."

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by Jonathan on 12/08/05 at 9:09am

Adrian

Hi I have a particular interest in Calisher and Terry.
I am a Terry and from the little I know there is a distinct possibilty that William Terry was my great grandfathers brother. I am trying to research this - hence my earlier posting. I own a breech loading Calisher and Terry rifle and if you or someone can give me an indication of where I can find the serial number I will let you have it. My rifle appears to have been modified for use by mounted troops.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by dbm on 12/09/05 at 7:01am

Jonathan wrote:

I am a Terry and from the little I know there is a distinct possibilty that William Terry was my great grandfathers brother.

What was your great grandfathers name?

David

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by A._Roads on 12/10/05 at 5:05am

Hi Jonathan,
I'd be most interested in the serial number & whether or not you know anything of its provenance or any date that may go with the serial number. Some carbines have a date on the lock plate which is very helpful. Is it definitely a rifle & not a carbine? What modifications has it that indicate mounted use?

Calisher & Terry operated in Norfolk St, London & in Gt. Charles St, Birmingham, later 22 - 24 Whittall St - spanning from 1856 until 1870. William Terry patented the design of his capping breech loaders in 1856. He partenered with Henry Calisher, a Belgian merchant who funded the venture. They made Gov Contract arms & private arms.

The capping breech loader was made in carbine configuration (most common) and rifle (much less common) plus a few double barrels & even a few pistols were made utilising this action.

Most of the info above David Minshall sent me, thanks David!

I don't know what patent # he had, if anyone can tell me I'd be grateful.

Jonathan - if you have any photos we'd like to see them here or if you can't post them here send them to me at [email protected]
regards, Adrian.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by Jonathan on 12/10/05 at 11:58am

HI Adrian,

Thanks for your reply. You have answered one of my questions, my breech loader is a carbine. I was told it had been modified for mounted use because its sling had been removed. I am unsure if it ever had a sling, but some alterations appear to have been made to the stock and barrel. I will try to show these in the photographs which I will send to you shortly. The serial number is 4827. "Calisher and Terry makers(?) to HM War Dept" is stamped onto the barrel.
I understood that the firing mechanism was prone to jamming, but this appears to be disputed by the results of the trials carried out on HMS Excellent.

Turning to Davids question, my great grandfather was a James, he moved from Warwickshire to London in the late 1800's. The evidence linking him to Calisher and Terry is anecdotal and came from his daughters. If he was involved with the company, I suspect it would only have been for a short time. As far as I am aware he had two brothers William and Thomas.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by dbm on 12/10/05 at 1:55pm

William Terry had two patents:

No. 812 dated 12 April 1855 for "Improvements appertaining to breech-loading fire-arms. Nipples, cartridges."

No. 843 dated 7 April 1856 for "Improvements in breech-loading fire-arms"

Llewellyn Jewitt's 1860 book, 'Rifles and Volunteer Corps' has about four pages on "Terry's Breech-Loader". Unfortunatley this is a rare book, in paper back form, and not suitable for copying without damage.

I have a reference from the 1861 census (R.G. 9/2183) to the following:

179 Whitehead St., Aston, Birmingham
William Terry (Head) - age 30 and unmarried
Frederick Terry (Brother) - age 24 and unmarried
Both are listed as Gun Finishers

I am not however sure if this is "the" William Terry.

David

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by dbm on 12/10/05 at 2:26pm

Terry�s Breech-Loading Rifle.

This rifle in some respects externally resembles Prince�s, but the principles in either case are essentially distinct. In Prince�s the whole of the barrel moves forward; in Terry�s it is fixed, and the admission of the cartridge is directed through an opening at the base of the breech. Above the lock, and flush with the barrel, is a lever, which being raised and drawn with a half-turn to the rear, gives immediate access to the receptacle for the charge. A thick felt wad, saturated with grease, is fixed to the bottom of the cartridge, for the purpose of lubricating the barrel after each discharge. The wad, before the ignition of the powder, rests against the end of a small cylinder which projects into the barrel, and thus serves to break the recoil. I have not had many opportunities of judging of this gun, which possibly may admit of further improvement. A carbine on this construction (.577 bore), sent to me for trial, did not load with the same facility as one of Prince�s rifles, nor was its accuracy of fire at all comparable to that of the latter weapon.

More than a century ago, Robins, in his Treatise on Gunnery described a rifle constructed to load much on this principle, and somewhat prophetically adds, �Perhaps something of this kind, though not in the manner now practised, would be of all others the most perfect method for the construction of these sorts of barrels.� I merely cite this quotation to show that there is nothing very novel in the contrivance of a breech-loader having a chamber with a side-opening.

A breech-loading rifle carbine, capable of being converted in a moment into a pistol, the invention of Mr. Terry, of Birmingham, was tried on board her Majesty�s ship Excellent, under the superintendence of Capt. Hewlett, C.B.; from May 10 until the end of last July ( 1858 ), 1800 rounds were fired from it with unprecedented accuracy at various ranges, and that too without cleaning the weapon, which, notwithstanding, gave no recoil, in proof of which Captain Hewlett handed the following certificate to the inventor:-

�This is. to certify that I have seen 1800 rounds fired from this rifle without cleaning.
�July 20, 1858. H.R. HEWLETT.�

The rifle missed fire but twice in the 1800 rounds, and, whether discharged by officer or man, eighty-six per cent. were �hits.� The rifle was subsequently taken to the camp at Browndown, and its capabilities exhibited before the troops and instructors in musketry of the 15th Foot (Lieutenant Cuthbert), the Royal Marine Light Infantry (Major Lowder). The practice at 700 and 800 yards was marvellous, notwithstanding a very powerful wind. Its advantages over the old pieces are three pounds less in weight, and five shots to one in time of firing, with a tremendous range, and yet without any necessity for cleaning out, under about a couple of thousand rounds.

Source: The Rifle and How to Use It. By Hans Busk, M.A. (London, 1859)

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by Jonathan on 12/11/05 at 8:56am

David

Many thanks for your help and for providing further information about the HMS Excellent trials. Working through the 1851 and 1891 census records I have found other William Terrys. Before reaching any conclusions I am going to have to do further research.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by dbm on 12/11/05 at 1:11pm

In 1871 and 1881 William Terry, a "Gun Implement Maker" is at 12 Godwin St., Aston, Birmingham. He is married to Lucy A. with children: Alfred (born c1866), Emily J. (born c1870), Lucy A. (born c1872).

In 1871, William's sister Emily is living with the family.

Do any of these names tie in with your family?

David

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by Jonathan on 12/12/05 at 10:12pm

David
I am afraid these names mean nothing to me. My great grandfather was a James, this is a common family name, others are Thomas, Henry and Richard. James died in 1892 and is buried in London, he was 52 at the time of his death. By the time he reached 40, his brothers were better off than he was. He attributed their success to their gun making business.

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by dbm on 12/13/05 at 6:56am

There was a family of Terry's in London (John > James William > James) that are listed on the Historical Database at www.internetgunclub.com (http://www.internetgunclub.com). The family appear to have been in London for some time though.

David

Title: Re: Calisher & Terry
Post by Jonathan on 12/14/05 at 10:13pm

Thanks David I will follow this lead up and do some more research over Christmas. I will let you know what I discover and will also post some photos of my Calisher and Terry carbine. Irrespective of my possible family connection this company fascinates me.