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This is the first of a two part posting on the English made
"Adam's patent " Deane Adams & Deane 5 shot .44/.450 caliber
double action percussion revolver and the American made Adams/Massachusetts
Arms Company 5 shot .36 caliber double action Navy percussion revolver.
Both of these arms, with a few exceptions, share the same design
and makeup. A large number of Adams revolvers were used by both
sides during the Civil War. These include the 500 or so bought
by the government from The Massachusetts Arms Company during the
period of 1857 to 1861 and 1,049 imported English made Adam revolvers
purchased on the open market from 1861 - 1866. Additionally, at
least 1,000 Adams are known to have ran the blockade into the South.
Many were also privately purchased by officers on each side.
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TOP:
DEANE ADAMS & DEANE 5 SHOT .44/.450 CALIBER DOUBLE ACTION
PERCUSSION REVOLVER
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THE DEANE ADAMS & DEANE 5 SHOT .44/.450 CALIBER DOUBLE ACTION PERCUSSION REVOLVER ONE UNUSUAL ENGLISH MADE REVOLVER
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The Deane Adams & Deane revolver, pictured here, is somewhat
of a mystery as it lacks any English proofs at all and other than
the name "DEANE ADAMS & DEANE, LONDON" on the
top barrel flat and "CAST STEEL" stamped on the side of the cylinder,
the only other marks are the number "6" (or "9") stamped on the
cylinder pin, ramming plunger and rear of cylinder. It is perhaps
a trial or sample arm that was not meant for distribution.
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"DEAN
ADAMS AND DEAN, LONDON"
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"CAST STEEL" STAMPING ON CYLINDER
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This double action revolver can also be used in a single action
mode. It is 13-3/8 " overall with a blued octagonal barrel length
of 6-1/4". The 4-1/4" one piece grip is fine English walnut with
the upper 2/3's of the grip having world class checkering. The deep
blued flat sided frame is scrolled engraved on both sides. There
is no recoil shield (wear shooting glasses with this one). It has
6 groove rifling and weighs approximately 3 pounds. There is an
external side spring on the right side forward of the cylinder.
This spring retains and locks the cylinder pin in place. The cylinder
is 2-1/8" long. The Kerr type left side mounted ramrod lever is
retained in place by a small narrow protrusion 5/32" long cast into
the left side of the barrel 1-9/16" from the muzzle which keys into
a rather rough narrow 3/8" long groove on the inside of the lever.
It takes some effort to disengage the lever. The lever is bright
or unfinished on the inside. The operating lever, when drawn up,
is pulled back to actuate the plunger and pivots on a large screw
that enters the frame on the left side. The plunger action seats
the bullet in the cylinder. The blued metal butt cap flares out
to a raised diamond. There are floral etchings on the diamond facing
on each side of the incised butt screw. Scroll engraving will also
be found on the outside bottom of the large oval blued trigger guard.
The hammer is casehardened.
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VIEW
OF LEFT SIDE OF DEANE ADAMS & DEANE REVOLVER WITH
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GRIP DETAIL
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LEFT
REAR FRAME DETAIL
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RIGHT
REAR FRAME DETAIL
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The notched low rear sight is integral to the frame. The front 1/4"
high blade sight has a top comb shaped as to appear to be
a ball to the shooter's eye. The shooter's hand is protected from
the hammer by the pronounced hump at the top of the grip. The swept
back grip gives a unique streamlined appearance to the revolver
as a whole. The overall design is generally pleasing to the
eye as well as the hand.
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TOP VIEW OF HAMMER AND REAR SIGHT
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SIDE VIEW OF HAMMER
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VIEW OF FRONT SIGHT
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TOP VIEW
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BOTTOM VIEW
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LEFT SIDE VIEW
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I sincerely apologize for going so long between postings but the
summer days have a tendency to disrupt schedules and the best of
plans. Hopefully, next week we will post Part ll of "A VERY UNUSUAL
"BRIT" AND IT'S AMERICAN COUSIN". This will be the second of a two
part posting and will feature the American made Adams/Massachusetts
Arms Company 5 shot .36 caliber double action Navy percussion revolver,
a true "cousin" to the Deane Adams and Deane revolver posted this
week.
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Reference credits go to "A HISTORY OF FIREARMS" by Major Hugh Bertie
Campbell Pollard, originally published in 1936 and reprinted in
1973. It is an eye opening book as Major Pollard accurately forecasted
in that book all of the gun control laws we have today. Amazingly,
this book could well have been written last year. It also contains
a valuable detailing of the history of firearms and pictures weapons
of various eras and countries. "CIVIL WAR GUNS" by Edwards also
furnished information for this posting as did Reilly in his write-up
on the Massachusetts Arms Company revolver in his book "U.S. MILITARY
SMALL ARMS 1816-1865."
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For more information on Deane Adams & Deane please use the following
links:
http://www.civilwarcourier.com/articles/colts_competition.htm
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Lastly, but not the least in importance, credit must go to Reed
Radcliffe, my son, who magically puts my writings and pictures out
there in "Web Land" for all of us to travel to. We don't need visas
or passports and thankfully we don't need a license or permit to
enjoy these postings, be they of guns, swords or other items - thank
God.
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Dave Radcliffe
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