Capsule revolvers function by placing the trigger in a specific position. For example, to charge a weapon, it is necessary to fix the weapon so that the drum cannot turn. Forcibly rotating, capsules are inserted into it alternately. Cartridges for which special sockets are provided are charged from the inside of the element. Original charges are made from a lead bullet and a sleeve. Additionally, the ammunition is sealed with a ramrod. To fire, cock the trigger, while the drum rotates, giving the barrel a working chamber, fixed in the desired position. Synchronously with this process, the folding configuration trigger is extended to one compartment.
Colt Capsule Revolver
The first modifications of the pistol in question appeared in the distant 16th century. At this time, the scope of firearms for manual operation began to actively develop. In Russia, Tula gunsmiths made replicas of capsule revolvers with a special silicon mechanism and drums for charges from the end of the 18th century.
The peak of development of these types of pistols falls on the second half of the 19th century. An outstanding designer in this area is considered to be Samuel Colt. Unbelievable rumors circulate about the beginning of his journey as a gunsmith. If you believe one of them, Colt at the age of four put a powder charge in a toy gun. As a result, an explosion occurred, since no one was injured.
At age 12, Colt got a gun, which he began to disassemble to clarify the intricacies of the design. Later, the guy got a sailor on a merchant ship. There he attempted to invent a galvanic cell for the disposal of underwater mines. This venture 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 realize the idea in a financial direction. He even created several business projects, planning to quickly and earn a lot. The entrepreneur's projects became 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 wooden drum capsule revolver, which the gunsmith John Pearson brought to life.
In 1835, Colt implemented its own production line and introduced stringent standards. The first weapon models were six-shot pistols, later production expanded, and serial production of several versions of revolvers began.
Mode of production
By tradition, all models of Colt's capsule revolvers were made manually by highly skilled craftsmen. A similar method of production was limited to small batches of weapons, the model line and construction 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 fact and a successful entrepreneur in fact, Colt perfectly understood all the nuances of technological approaches in arms production. His preferences concerned automated production lines, which made it possible to reduce the cost of goods and increase company profits.
As a result, the production of capsule revolvers (photo above) has increased significantly, while reducing cost. For comparison:
- production start - the unit cost was about $ 50;
- in 1859 the price was only 19 y. e. per copy;
- in Hartford, they set up full-scale production of these weapons at their own plant;
- all manufacturing steps were clearly assigned to 450 separate operations.
Russian officers first tested the indicated type of pistol only in 1842, after visiting a manufacturing plant in Patterson. Soon, capsule revolvers appeared on sale in Russia. The market offered not only original American modifications, but also worthy copies of Tula gunsmiths.
Adams Capsule Revolver
This gun, unlike the brainchild of Colt, was equipped with a barrel reinforced with a solid frame. This design feature gave the model greater reliability than the American counterpart. Self-cocking mechanism with mechanical rotation of the drum aggregated directly with the trigger, providing quick firing if necessary. Such a nuance in the capsule revolver device made it possible to circumvent all the legal nuances associated with patenting.
To the modification of the Adams pistol from 1851, there is a whole frame, an octagonal rifled barrel, equipped in the front with an overflow that smoothly transforms into a base. At this point, a small hole is provided through which a rod with an oval nozzle, playing the role of the axis of the drum, passes. When moving the element forward, the drum is freely dismantled.
Design features
The gun is equipped with a smooth drum with five compartments, semicircular slots to accommodate the fire tubes. The drum mechanism was activated by feeding gunpowder into the working chambers. The back of the mechanism is equipped with special teeth that serve to stop the main mechanism.
The charge of gunpowder is ignited by hitting the striker on the capsule of the brand tube opposite each fighting compartment. A small hooked lever serves to securely fix the drum axis during firing. The upper end of the element enters the opening of the frame, engages in the groove of the frame on the rear of the drum.
The trigger device of the pistol is a self-cocking trigger mechanism with an L-shaped trigger, without a spoke, with a flat beveled striker. A fuse lever is provided on the left side of the weapon near the trigger. When cocking the trigger into a combat position, one edge passes through the drilled frame hole, reliably fixing the trigger during the descent.
Other models
Soon, Smith and Wesson's gunsmiths developed revolvers with a tipping mechanism. They have gained popularity since 1873. Russian analogues came out 3 years later, confidently entrenched in the list of the most popular revolvers, occupying the 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, a shortened cartridge was used in SM.
Remington
The appearance of this gun has an interesting history. 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.
The capsule version of the Remington of the Rider Shot Derringers series was a single-shot model with a caliber of 4.4 mm. The single-charge version was intended for firing exclusively with capsule charges. Among the innovative modifications noted non-standard characteristics (shooting inside the house).
The Remington-Rider Single Shot Derringers 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.
