rorkesdriftvc.com Forum Index


rorkesdriftvc.com
Discussions related to the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879
Reply to topic
Adams Revolver
a.j


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 80
Location: Thornaby-On-Tees, Great Britain
Reply with quote
I know that some officers carried Adams revolvers as their side arm, but the Adams revolver was made in 1851. Most if not all officers who had a n Adams revolver in the Zulu Wars or in any other colonial war of the period would have bought an up to date pistol, which fired metal cartidges.

What I wish to know is, how was the revolver converted and improved?

Secondly did it look any different from its original appearence?
View user's profileSend private message
Adrian Whiting


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 76
Location: Dorset, England
Reply with quote
AJ,

The Royal Navy provided the lead for the first conversions of Beaumont Adams revolvers to centre fire in 1868. The Army approved their conversions from 1872, with the adoption of the Breech loading .450" Adams revolver. This purpose built breech loader was designated the Mark II and the conversions, even though they were of significantly different design were (effectively retrospectively) designated the MkI.

The converted pistols received replacement cylinders, a modified hammer and an ejector rod on the right side of the barrel. As a result it was very easy to tell it apart from the previous percussion patterns.

The 54 bore (.442") percussion Adams had been much preferred to the .36" Colt revolver as a much better manstopper. This thinking even led Webley to make a .577" calibre revolver, which I imagine could be privately purchased with wheels to pull it along on!

_________________
Hope this assists,
Adrian
View user's profileSend private message
Coll
Guest

Reply with quote
Great book to get, though expensive -

Adams' Revolvers.
by W.H.J. Chamberlain & A.W.F Taylerson.

Lots of detail and images.

Coll
Adams Revolver
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
All times are GMT  
Page 1 of 1  

  
  
 Reply to topic