What exact model of handgun was being used?
“What exact model of handgun was being used?”
The Guardian posted a picture of a cap and ball Colt so we can throw out all the loaded with blank comments, or had a live round in it. The loading of each chamber in the cylinder is a multiple step process. You put in the powder, then the wad, then the ball and last you tamp it down with the loading lever and last you puch on the percussion cap. Many back then carried extra loaded cylinders kind of like we carry speed loaders or extra magazines.
If in fact the picture they posted is the pistol in question one would have to load the ball in intentionally. I’ve also heard them say that that particular pistol had a couple of misfire’s which means the cap didn’t ignite the powder. Also read that some of the hands were shooting it early with the likelihood that it may have been a real load with a ball in it. So there’s the other chance for a misfire and the ball never left the barrel but cleared the cylinder and the ball was in the barrel when the squib/blank/no bullet chamber was fired. This is all based on the Guardian posting a pic of the gun used.
From what I’ve heard a repro of a Colt 1848 “Dragoon”.
CC
Not EXACTLY sure so I'll shut up.