Capsule revolvers function by placing the trigger in a certain position. For example, to load a weapon, it is necessary to fix the weapon in such a way that the drum cannot rotate. Forcibly rotating, capsules are inserted into it one by one. Cartridges are loaded from the inside of the element, for which special sockets are provided. The original charges are made from a lead bullet and a cartridge case. Additionally, the ammunition is compacted with a ramrod. To shoot, the trigger is cocked, while the drum rotates, feeding the working chamber to the barrel, which is fixed in the required position. Simultaneously with this process, the trigger of the folding configuration extends to one compartment.
Colt Capsule Revolver
The first modifications of the pistol in question appeared back in the 16th century. At this time, the field of firearms for manual operation began to actively develop. In Russia, Tula gunsmiths made replica capsule revolvers with a special silicon mechanism and drums for charges starting fromlate 18th century.
The peak of development of these types of pistols falls on the second half of the 19th century. Samuel Colt is rightfully considered an outstanding designer in this area. There are incredible rumors about the beginning of his path as a gunsmith. According to one of them, Colt, at the age of four, put a powder charge in a toy gun. As a result, there was an explosion, fortunately no one was hurt.
At the age of 12, Colt got a gun, which he began to disassemble to find out the intricacies of the design device. Later, the guy got a job as a sailor on a merchant ship. There he made attempts to invent a galvanic cell for the disposal of underwater mines. This idea failed: at the presentation, potential investors received a solid portion of water for their expensive suits. It was during that period that the restless Colt developed a drum rotating mechanism for a pistol. It is worth noting that similar ideas arose earlier from the German inventor Stopler (1597). Subsequently, the design became the prototype of the classic revolver.
Interesting facts
It was Colt who began to implement the idea in the financial direction. He even created several business projects, planning to quickly and earn a lot. The entrepreneur's projects went bankrupt several times, but they managed to stabilize and continue their business. After Samuel earned a decent capital, he invested in the development of a percussion revolver with a wooden drum, which was brought to life by gunsmith JohnPearson.
In 1835, Colt implemented his own production line and introduced rigid standards. The first models of weapons were six-shot pistols, later production expanded, serial production of several versions of revolvers began.
Production method
According to the established tradition, all models of Colt's capsule revolvers were made by hand by highly qualified craftsmen. This method of production was limited to small batches of weapons, the model line and design standards were regulated at that time by state specialized institutions. They required identical techniques and technologies in the production of small arms.
Being an inventor in essence and a successful entrepreneur in fact, Colt perfectly understood all the nuances of technological approaches in weapons production. His preference was for automated production lines to reduce product costs and increase company profits.
As a result, the production of capsule revolvers (photo above) has increased significantly, while reducing the cost. For comparison:
- start production - unit cost was about $50;
- in 1859 the price became only 19 cu. e. per copy;
- in Hartford set up full-scale production of these weapons at their own plant;
- all manufacturing steps are clearly divided into 450 separate operations.
Russian officers first tested this type of pistol only in 1842, after visiting a production plantin Patterson. Soon capsule revolvers appeared on free sale in Russia. Not only original American modifications were offered on the market, but also worthy copies of Tula gunsmiths.
Adams Capsule Revolver
This pistol, unlike Colt's brainchild, was equipped with a barrel reinforced with a strong frame. This design feature gave the model greater reliability than its American counterpart. The self-cocking mechanism with a mechanical rotation of the drum was aggregated directly with the trigger, providing quick firing if necessary. Such a nuance in the design of the capsule revolver made it possible to bypass all the legal nuances associated with patenting.
To modify the Adams pistol from 1851, there is a solid frame, a rifled octagonal barrel, equipped with an overflow in the front part, smoothly transforming into the base. A small hole is provided in this place, through which a rod with an oval nozzle passes, which plays the role of the axis of the drum. When the element is moved forward, the drum is freely dismantled.
Design features
The gun is equipped with a smooth drum with five compartments, semicircular slots to accommodate brand pipes. The drum mechanism was activated by supplying gunpowder to the working chambers. The back of the mechanism is equipped with special teeth that serve to stop the main mechanism.
A charge of gunpowder ignites whenwith the help of a striker hitting the primer of the brand-pipe opposite each combat compartment. A small clawed lever serves to securely fix the drum axis during firing. The upper end of the element enters the frame hole, hooks into the frame groove on the back of the drum.
The trigger device of the pistol is a trigger self-cocking mechanism with an L-shaped trigger, without a knitting needle, with a flat beveled striker. A safety lever is provided on the left side of the weapon near the trigger. When cocking the trigger to firing position, one edge passes through the drilled frame hole, securely fixing the trigger during the descent.
Other models
Soon gunsmiths of the Smith & Wesson company developed revolvers with a breaking mechanism. They have gained popularity since 1873. Russian analogues came out after 3 years, confidently entrenched in the list of the most popular revolvers, taking third position.
Colt's capsule revolvers differed from the Smith and Wesson modifications in that their design was simpler, but the rate of fire and accuracy left much to be desired. In addition, the "SM" used a shortened cartridge.
Remington
The appearance of this gun has an interesting story. Weapons appeared on the American market in the second half of the 19th century. It was positioned as a means of self-defense, was considered one of the best options for close combat.
Remington capsule version of the Rider Shot seriesDerringers was a single-shot model with a caliber of 4.4 mm. The single-shot version was intended to fire exclusively with primer charges. Among the innovative modifications, a non-standard characteristic (shooting inside the house) is noted.
The Remington-Rider Single Shot Derringers capsular single-shot pistol had a caliber of only 17 (4.3 mm) and could hardly be regarded by potential buyers as a full-fledged weapon.
Summarize
Toward the middle of the 70s of the last century, Remingtons, Colts, Smith and Wessons, as well as other analogues of capsule revolvers, became obsolete. These modifications were replaced by a new type of weapon, with a mechanism for a unitary cartridge. There was no particular problem with the conversion, since a large-scale reformation of military factories for industrial needs began. All variations on the modern market can be bought in replica or similar copies.
