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Trial Of Breech-Loading Revolvers The Engineer, 22 October 1869 |
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IT will be within the recollection of those of our readers who find any interest in the above subject that somewhat recently we illustrated and described the system of conversion introduced by the Colt Fire-arms Company. We had made a careful examination of one of the new breech-loaders, and although we had not submitted it to a practical test on an extended scale, we yet felt ourselves justified in expressing the opinion which was published in The Engineer of 16th July last. In consequence of this we were urged by the Colt Company to reconsider our verdict, and with that view to undertake a careful trial of the pistol. We were convinced that our criticism was well-founded, and that we should find little cause to alter the opinion we had already expressed; but as we were wishful to do all we could in the matter for the elucidation of the truth, we consented to the proposal, so far as the trial was concerned. In making choice of a standard of comparison we decided upon the Adams* pistol, chiefly because it is the weapon of the service, and also because it is the best example of that system of breech-loading in which the cartridge is truly inserted from the rear, and not, as in the case of the Colt, from the front of the revolving chambers.
The experiments were carried out last week on the range at Woolwich Arsenal, for the use of which we are indebted to Colonel Boxer and his brother officers. We have also to thank both Captain Majendie and Captain Slessor for the advice and assistance they afforded us, both of which, from their long experience in matters of this nature, were most valuable. The following are the results of the trials, and we reproduce them in this simple form, believing that in this shape they will be more readily intelligible to the majority of readers:- Particulars of Pistols and Ammunition ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name | Weight of |Calibre|Length of|Charge| Lubrication |Weight of
| Pistol | | barrel | | | bullet
------|------------|-------|---------|------|--------------|----------
Adams |2lb 6 7/8oz| .450 | 6in |13 grs|Beeswax in |225 grains
| | | | |two cannelures|
| | | | | |
Colt |2lb 10 3/4oz| .440 | 8in |18 grs|Wad of beeswax|210 grains
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Each arm was fired by its own representative. Rapidity of Fire - In this trial twenty-four shots had to be fired without any attempt at accuracy, the time commencing from the loading of the first shot and ending with the ejection of the last cartridge case. Adams, 1 min 30 sec; Colt, 2 min. A second experiment was also made with ammunition that had been purchased from the respective competitors in the ordinary way of business. In this case the times were - Adams, 1 min 35 sec; Colt, 2 min 20 sec. Accuracy - The trials for accuracy were divided into two classes, viz., those for accuracy only, irrespective of time, and for accuracy combined with rapidity. The following table shows the results of these trials:- |
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