| Index |
Trial Of Breech-Loading Revolvers The Engineer, 22 October 1869 |
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| | Adams | Colt
| |-----------------|-----------------
| | Mean | | Mean |
| |absolute | |absolute |
Range| Particulars of trial |deviation| |deviation|
| | of | Time | of | Time
| |24 shots | |24 shots |
| |in inches| |in inches|
-----|--------------------------|---------|-------|---------|-------
yards| | |min sec| |min sec
| | | | |
60 |Accuracy only (ammunition | 5.45 | - | 8.62 | -
| supplied by competitor)| | | |
60 |Accuracy only | 7.25 | - | 9.17* | -
| (purchased ammunition) | | | |
60 |Accuracy and rapidity | 7.91 | 2 32 | 11.70 | 2 55
| (purchased ammunition) | | | |
30 |Accuracy only (ammunition | 3.37 | - | 6.79 | -
| supplied by competitor)| | | |
30 |Accuracy and rapidity | 5.62 | 2 5 | 5.16 | 2 55
| (purchased ammunition) | | | |
|--------------------------|---------|-------|---------|-------
| Totals | 29.60 | 4 37 | 41.44 | 5 50
| |---------|-------|---------|-------
|Mean deviation of the | 5.92 | - | 8.29 | -
| five targets | | | |
|Mean rapidity of trials | - | 2 18 | - | 2 55
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* With one miss this was 9.75
Penetration - The power of penetration possessed by the two arms was ascertained by firing six shots from each at a number of half-inch elm boards placed one inch apart. The pistols were fired at ranges of thirty and sixty yards. Penetration at Thirty Yards ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Adams | Colt
----------------------------------|----------------------------------
1st shot penetrated .. 3.25 boards|1st shot penetrated .. 4.00 boards
2nd shot .. .. 3.25 .. |2nd shot .. .. 3.00 ..
3rd shot .. .. 4.25 .. |3rd shot .. .. 3.75 ..
4th shot .. .. 3.25 .. |4th shot .. .. 2.25 ..
5th shot .. .. 3.25 .. |5th shot .. .. 3.25 ..
6th shot .. .. 3.75 .. |6th shot .. .. 3.25 ..
----------------------------------|----------------------------------
Total . 21.00 .. | Total . 19.25 ..
Mean of six shots .. 3.50 .. |Mean of six shots .. 3.25 ..
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Penetration at Sixty Yards ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Adams | Colt
----------------------------------|----------------------------------
1st shot penetrated .. 3.25 boards|1st shot penetrated .. 3.25 boards
2nd shot .. .. 4.25 .. |2nd shot .. .. 3.25 ..
3rd shot .. .. 3.25 .. |3rd shot .. .. 3.25 ..
4th shot .. .. 4.25 .. |4th shot .. .. 2.75 ..
5th shot .. .. 4.25 .. |5th shot .. .. 2.00 ..
6th shot .. .. 3.00 .. |6th shot .. .. 1.50 ..
----------------------------------|----------------------------------
Total . 22.25 .. | Total . 16.00 ..
Mean of six shots .. 3.70 .. |Mean of six shots .. 2.66 ..
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From these results, then, we find that the two pistols bear the following comparison:-
Adams Colt
1. Rapidity only (average) .. .. .. 1 min 32 sec .. 2 min 10 sec
2. Rapidity and accuracy (ditto).. .. 2 min 18 sec .. 2 min 55 sec
3. Accuracy (ditto) .. .. .. .. .. 5.92in .. .. 8.29in
4. Penetration .. .. .. .. .. .. 3.60 boards .. 2.95 boards
Reducing these figures to percentage of superiority, we have the Adams superior on each of the points as follows:-
Adams superior
per cent
1. Rapidity only .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 41
2. ditto when combined with accuracy .. .. .. .. .. 26
3. Accuracy of shooting (deliberate and rapid fire) .. .. .. 40
4. Penetration .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22
The cartridges used throughout the trials were filled by Messrs. Eley Brothers, and we regret to say with not a little irregularity. In several instances the charge appeared distinctly short, and in one case this evil was carried to a maximum, a Colt cartridge being found to be absolutely destitute of powder or lubricating wad. Of course it is not to be supposed that inaccuracies of loading are impossible, but every care should be taken to guard against the issue of empty cases properly capped and with the bullets inserted. |
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