| Beaumont-Adams Revolver | |
|---|---|
Beaumont-Adams percussion revolver |
|
| Type | Service revolver |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1862-1880 |
| Used by | United Kingdom & Colonies, British Commonwealth, |
| Wars | Anglo-Zulu War, First Boer War, numerous British colonial conflicts, Royal Canadian Mounted Police |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Lt. Beaumont (Royal Engineers), Robert Adams |
| Designed | 1862 |
| Manufacturer | Robert Adams of London |
| Produced | 1862-1880 |
| Number built | approx 250,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.4lb (1.1kg), unloaded |
| Length | 11.25in. (286mm) |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | Cap & Ball |
| Calibre | .479 (38-bore), .442 (54-bore), & .338(120-bore) |
| Action | Double Action revolver |
| Rate of fire | 12 rounds/minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 620ft/s (190m/s) |
| Effective range | 35yds |
| Maximum range | 100yds |
| Feed system | 5-round cylinder |
| Sights | fixed front post and rear notch |
The Beaumont-Adams Revolver was a muzzle-loading percussion revolver. Originally adopted by the British Army in .442 calibre (54-bore, 11.2mm) in 1856, many were later converted to use centrefire cartridges. It was replaced in British service in 1880 by the .476 calibre (actually 11.6mm)[1] Enfield Mk I revolver.
On 20 February 1856, Lieutenant Frederick E.B. Beaumont of the Royal Engineers was granted a British patent for improvements to the Adams revolver which allowed them to be cocked and fired either cocking the hammer as in Colt single-action revolvers, or by just pulling the trigger. It was the first true double-action system. The Adams revolvers had previously been double-action only, which had led to doubts regarding their accuracy. Beaumont was granted a US Patent (no. 15,032[2]) on 3 June of the same year.
In partnership with George and John Deane, the company of Deane, Adams & Deane produced the new revolver in a variety of calibres and sizes, from pocket pistols to large military versions. The United Kingdom officially adopted the 54-bore (.442 calibre) Beaumont-Adams in 1856,[3] Holland and Russia following soon after. To meet the growing demand for its weapons, Deane, Adams & Deane contracted companies in Birmingham and Liége to manufacture their weapons under licence.[4] The new revolver enabled Robert Adams to regain public confidence and forced Samuel Colt to shut his London factory due to a drop in sales.
In the US, the Massachusetts Arms Company was licensed to manufacture about 19,000 specimens of the gun in .36 calibre, of which about 1,750 were purchased by the Union Army at the beginning of the American Civil War.
The Adams was favoured by British officers in the Crimean War and colonial conflicts due to the stopping power of its large bullet, which was considered superior to Colt revolvers of the period. In close-quarters, the speed of its action was preferred over long-range accuracy.[4]