Beaumont–Adams revolver facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Beaumont–Adams revolver
Beaumont–Adams percussion revolver
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1862–1880
Used by	United Kingdom & Colonies North-West Mounted Police United States Confederate States Empire of Japan
Wars	American Civil War Boshin war Anglo-Zulu War First Boer War numerous British colonial conflicts
Production history
Designer	Lt. Beaumont (Royal Engineers), Robert Adams
Designed	1862
Manufacturer	Robert Adams of London
Produced	1862–1880
No. built	c. 250,000
Specifications
Mass	2.4 lb (1.1 kg), unloaded
Length	11.25 in. (286 mm)
Calibre	.479 in (12.2 mm) (38-bore), .442 (54-bore) & .338 (120-bore)
Action	Double-action
Muzzle velocity	620 ft/s (190 m/s)
Effective firing range	35 yd (32 m)
Maximum firing range	100 yd (91 m)
Feed system	5-round cylinder
Sights	Fixed front post and rear notch

The Beaumont–Adams revolver was a famous type of handgun used a long time ago. It was special because it could be fired just by pulling the trigger, which was a new and useful feature back then. This gun was adopted by the British Army in 1856 and was used in several important conflicts around the world.

A New Kind of Revolver

In 1856, a British soldier named Lieutenant Frederick Beaumont came up with a clever idea to improve the Adams revolver. He added a new feature that allowed the gun to be fired in two ways. You could either pull back the hammer first, like older guns, or just pull the trigger to fire it. This made the gun faster to use in a fight.

Beaumont got a special legal paper called a patent for his invention. This meant no one else could copy his idea without his permission.

Competition and Success

At this time, there was a big competition between Robert Adams' company and an American company called Colt. Colt was selling many guns and had even opened a factory in London. Colt's guns were special because their parts could be easily swapped, making them easier to fix.

However, British officers liked the older Adams revolvers. They preferred them during the Crimean War because the Adams guns used a larger bullet. This larger bullet was more effective at stopping an enemy. Also, the Adams gun was faster to fire in close-up battles because you could just pull the trigger.

A Popular Choice

Working with George and John Deane, Robert Adams' company started making the new Beaumont–Adams revolver. They made different sizes, from small pocket pistols to larger military versions. The United Kingdom officially chose the Beaumont–Adams revolver for its army in 1856. Soon after, other countries like Holland and Russia also decided to use it.

Because so many people wanted the new revolver, Deane, Adams & Deane had other factories help make the guns. This new gun gave Robert Adams a big advantage over his competitors. Because of this, Samuel Colt eventually closed his factory in London as sales dropped.

Use in America

In the United States, a company called the Massachusetts Arms Company was allowed to make the Beaumont–Adams revolver. They made about 19,000 of these guns. Around 1,750 of them were bought by the Union Army at the start of the American Civil War. They also made a smaller version for carrying in a pocket.

Later Developments

In 1867, Robert Adams' brother, John Adams, invented a new type of revolver. This new gun was easier to load. The British government decided to use John Adams' new revolver instead of the Beaumont–Adams. John Adams' gun became the official sidearm of the British Army until 1880. It was then replaced by another gun called the Enfield Mark I.

Images for kids

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  British Army Mark III, Model of 1872