Oooopppss!!

[Fox Creek Kid]

Story here:

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-percussion-revolvers/92779-make-sure-you-keep-those-wedges-tight.html

[The Pathfinder]

Oops is probably the politest word to describe that.

[Lucky R. K.]

I knew you would be famous one day Jeb.

Lucky 

[dusty texian]

Puts a whole new meaning to ( Give em a barrel)!,,,,DT

[Crow Choker]

Never crossed my mind that such a thing could happen--puts a new spin on the term "Barrel of Fun"!!!!!!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

First the wedge..... Then the powder, etc.

[hellgate]

Now, did they get after him for sweeping bystanders and breaking the 170?

[rdstrain49]

Several comments come to mind, none of which are fit to print. 

[Coffinmaker]

First time I saw that photo I near ruined a Lap Top with coffee.  Got to be an incredibly funny OOOPS.  Gives new meaning to Wedgie.

I'm just real glad it wasn't me.  Or anyone I know real well.  He's gonna hear "gotta wedge?" for the rest of his life.

Coffinmaker

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

How can you use the online rammer without the wedge? He must have been using preloaded cylinders; - and missed a step;?

[Coffinmaker]

Nah.  Does it the same way I do.  I use a separate loading stand.  Take the gun apart, wipe the barrel breach, wipe the cylinder face, load and ram the balls with the loading stand, reassemble, PUT THE WEDGE BACK IN. 
Since you cap at the loading table, I don't know how he missed the wedge unless he was distracted (Dolly Parton walked by???). 
It wan't incredibly dangerous.  It was an incredible embarrassment.  Some funny to see it from afar.  I seriously think the shooter may have had a good laugh as well, once he was over the shock of his barrel going down range.  Sort of like shooting your ram rod out of your Hawken at a rendezvous.  Watched that done too.

Coffinmaker

[Thumb Buster]

Saw a ram rod go downrange at a rendezvous once also.  Guy was gabbing to a bunch of spectators and forgot where he was in the reloading process.  Luckily it was a low-load for demonstration purposes and he retrieved the ramrod albeit red-faced.  Just hope this gentleman got a good laugh at himself also.  That's epic!

[Capt. JEB Forrest]

Mechanical things wear and break or fail. Those 1860's are about 5 years old with original wedges. Wedge spring got weak and allowed wedge to come out.

I do not take the guns apart to load. Sam Colt provided everything you need to load on the revolver itself and that is what I use. I do use a little wooden stand to hold the gun upright while loading.

That was the 2nd stage of the day. 4th shot of a 5 shot string. Ball went down range and was a hit. Didn't notice barrel was off until cocking for the fifth shot.

The wedge was retrieved and that same revolver was used for the next 4 stages with no mishap.

I don't think sweeping was involved, except by the barrel itself. I had control of the action and loaded cylinder.

And yes, new wedges were ordered from Dixie.

[Thumb Buster]

Good to know you were not hurt and neither was any one else as well as the revolver.  This serves as a reminder to me to always check such things.  Thank you for that.  I guess I 'assume' too much about the wedge staying put.  Thank you also for seeing the preceding comments in a positive light.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

+ 1 !

[Dick Dastardly]

A similar thing happened to one of my pardners.  The whole arbor left with the barrel and the cylinder fell at his feet.  The wedge was still in the arbor. . .

DD-MDA