The Revolver they *should* have used in Zulu, with firearms and weapon expert Jonathan Ferguson

As with many of the weapons we've featured in this series, this week's firearm is a conversion of vast stocks of obsoleted percussion cap Adams Revolvers in order to give them a new lease of life into the second half of the 19th century.
Buy tickets for our What is this Weapon LIVE show: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-i...
Contents
Subscribe to our channel for more videos about arms and armour
Help us bring history to life by supporting us here: royalarmouries.org/support-us...
Sign up to our museum membership scheme here: royalarmouries.org/support-us...
⚔Website: royalarmouries.org/home
⚔Blog: royalarmouries.org/stories/
⚔Facebook: / royalarmouriesmuseum
⚔Twitter: / royal_armouries
⚔ Instagram: / royalarmouriesmuseum
We are the Royal Armouries, the United Kingdom's national collection of arms and armour. Discover what goes on behind the scenes and watch our collection come to life. See combat demonstrations, experience jousting and meet our experts.
Have a question about arms and armour? Feel free to leave us a comment and we'll do our best to answer it.

[@nonamesplease6288]

These were very popular in the States because they were great revolvers. They saw widespread use during the US Civil War. They were so popular and well liked by the US Army that they were manufactured in the US and known as the Massachusetts Adams.

[@kanrakucheese]

And yet nobody makes repros for some reason. A .36 Mass Adams would be a great addition to repro lines. Same with DA versions of 1858 (which were, apparently, a thing)

[@nonamesplease6288]

It's a shame. There have been rumors over the years that someone was going to make one but nothing came of any of the. I once had an original offered to me but the price was eye watering and it wouldn't have been a shooter anyway.

[@kanrakucheese]

@@nonamesplease6288 First I've heard of rumors of them.

[@nonamesplease6288]

@@kanrakucheese There was a German company that was supposed to do it like 25 years ago and shortly after someone in the US was going to start production. Neither of these ever happened. That was also when CW reenacting was a craze, so someone figured that there might be a market for them.

[@beachcomber1able]

@@kanrakucheese Is it because they are pig ugly. 😄

[@paleoph6168]

Aside from the anachronistic Webley Mk VI revolvers used in Zulu, there were also Lee-Enfield Mk I CLLE and Martini-Enfield rifles used alongside the Martini-Henry rifles in the movie as well lol! Source: IMFDB

[@gavinhammond1778]

Here's some movie magic for you, in the Isandlwhana scene a lot of the "dead" English soldiers are painted rocks. Have a good one.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

@@gavinhammond1778 a lot of the 'zulus' are just shields with spears attached to them as well in those big scenes of them on the hills

[@gavinhammond1778]

@@Ukraineaissance2014 learning every day. Have a good day mate.

[@paleoph6168]

@@madisntit6547 Not just that, it's the CLLE upgrade. It would've given the British a very big advantage!

[@brittakriep2938]

@@Ukraineaissance2014 : Don t know this Movie, but with exeption of very few musket shooters,bulk of Zulu Army was only armed with leather shields, short Iklawa stabbing spear and Knobkerie cllub.

[@toooldfortwowheels2048]

Ah yes, one of my all time favbourites. This would be my grail to own, ANY Robert Adams design or derivative. Harry Flashman was a big fan too!

[@TheWarmotor]

Always a nice morning when Jonathan posts a new vid :)

[@ninjaturkey100]

Absolutely delighted to get some information about these beautiful firearms - I've been assembling 28mm miniatures for the Zulu Wars/late 1870s British Army and it's always wonderful to get more information about the weapons involved. I'd love to see anything about Prussian equivalents, especially Franco-Prussian revolvers, when the chance arises!

[@soren9310]

oh..the infamous Reichsrevolver! yeah, if you exhaust your ammunition supply, you can still throw it and break your enemies skull with it!

[@ericcardinal4788]

The amount of retooling and creating a few new dies to go from percussion cap black powder to center fire smokeless brass cartridge weapons is impressive.

[@Ca18detEnjoyer]

Jonathan is possibly the best host for any weaponry related media, Love seeing his enjoyment

[@jamescameron6819]

A tremendous amount of personality comes through in his work.

[@scottjefcoats6645]

Might I suggest giving Ian over on Forgotten Weapons a look?

[@shaneblair-hicks4975]

Forgotten Weapons is pretty good as well.

[@MrGW95]

Forgotten weapons is much better but this guys ok for a British

[@GazalAlShaqab]

THIS channel is my favorite British YT channel of all! BIG thanks from France! :)

[@ML-tl7kw]

As always educational.... thanks Mr. Ferguson

[@loddude5706]

These pieces certainly do exhibit a strong family resemblance. Thing is, today's a Wednesday, & as we all Lurch toward the uncertain future that is 2023, one can only hope that, somehow, we may all discover how to 'live long & Fester.' : )

[@brianfoster4434]

Thank you!

[@mattioli13]

Yes! @Candrsenal does not get enough love....great shout out.

[@cosmo9882]

Thank you 👍😎

[@derekp2674]

Thanks Jonathan (and team). See you on the 11th :)

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

It would be good if you could do a video on pistols of the Crimean war, I've heard so many conflicting accounts of what technology was actually used

[@MojoBob]

Very enjoyable presentation of an interesting revolver. A production suggestion: I think a light-medium grey tablecloth would allow better visibility of blued firearms than the black one you're using.

[@davidcarr7436]

Adams MkIII was the first cartridge revolver used by the RCMP(the Mounties).

[@maximumbob350]

I am very happy that the internet finally seems to be showing some love for C19th British revolvers; I'd love to see some more videos covering Tranters, Thomases and the like. I realise that this might be absurdly niche, but I'd be really interested to see a Brazier loading lever in action. Do the Royal Armouries have an example of a Beaumont Adams fitted with one?

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

In some way they look very simple and don't have that romanticism as american revolvers from the time. But they are still beautiful craftsmanship.

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thanks , very informative on the Adams revolver black powder cap and ball and cartridge conversions. So it's likely that Horace Smith Dorrien would have armed himself with this revolver at Isandlhawana.

[@KanuckStreams]

Oh man I wish I could go to the UK to attend that event!

[@pyeitme508]

WOW!

[@jponeill2151]

Yay! I got it right!!

[@longstreet0163]

This video filled a yawning gap in my knowledge, so thank you to Jonathan for that. My question is this: Was that inert cartridge of the correct case length? It was much shorter than the chamber suggesting a longer case than the one shown. Any ideas?

[@ericamborsky3230]

The cartridge has the same bullet mass and powder loading as that of the original percussion cap revolver and the revolver has the same frame and same size of cylinder as the original percussion cap revolver. Due to differences in the shaping of the cylinder due to the differences in how the two systems work, the cylinder ended up being far longer than required. Other revolvers made from the ground up for .450 Adams like the Webley RIC and various Tranters have much shorter cylinders.

[@manricobianchini5276]

Hey Jonathan, one of those pistols was the weapon Brendan Fraser used in The Mummy, if I'm not mistaken.

[@F1ghteR41]

That ejector safety is an interesting design. One question it raises though is that of longevity of the protruding and unprotected ejector rod - along the same lines as with modern revolvers with swing-out cylinders. 15:12 Also, what's the deal with British cavalry getting rid of pistols? 17:24 Is it the reason behind S&W calling their .38 Spl Military and Police revolver (now known simply as Model 10) the Victory model?

[@Punisher9419]

That's a very handsome revolver.

[@brittakriep2938]

In 1879 Germany M79 ( Reichsrevolver) in 10,6 mm replaced: Prussian single shot smooth bore M1850 Percussion pistol of 15mm. Bavarian single shot Werder pistol in 11mm Werder., and saxon Revolver in .43, also Colt and Adams Revolves in .43.

[@sandmanhh67]

I love Adams revolvers and yeah - every single one is slightly different to another. The .50 caliber / 38 bore "dragoon" versions are monsters.

[@TheArmourersBench]

I really wish Uberti or the like made a copy of the Adams.

[@villyvassell8572]

Chard used a webley RIC, revolver at rourkes drift its in the royal engineers museum

[@Ensign_Cthulhu]

What are the ballistics of this firearm? Bullet weight, diameter, muzzle velocity.

[@teggy689]

I know it's an older video, but I have just been diving into old British revolvers. I would love to see a Headstamp publishing book on British Military revolvers, something like "Adams to Webley"... it could cover from the early precussion Adams to the .38/200 Webley. This would cover mid 19th century to mid 20th century!

[@Sokol10]

C&Rsenal have good videos about the Adams revolvers, including with a lady shooting with them.

[@rodwilson6648]

What does it say on the front right frame at 11:30? Looks like "Adams' Patent" along with a three-digit serial or patent number (No. XXX).

[@johnathansaegal3156]

I had a .38 Webley (WWII era) that was marked "War Finnish" which added to the collector value over a commercial Webley. I traded it for a Valmet M82 bullpup rifle. 36 years later I still kick myself for trading off that Webley.

[@seamasrigh2162]

I still have my "War Finish" Webley Mk IV. Every firearm I've ever sold traded or whatever - I regret.

[@jacobpettes335]

I just saw a younger Mr Ferguson on a timeline doc about Edwardian dueling.

[@mattparker9726]

Once again, as asked on the last video, do you have the engineering blueprints, or technical documentation for this revolver (and basically any black powder, muzzle loading firearm) as I'm interested in machining, and would be legally allowed and there is WAY less regulation involved with such antiques. (I live in Mississippi) I've tried looking at your website, but nothing displays properly? I'm VERY interested in making repro guns for sale here in the USA.

[@richardhillman9745]

didnt Chard have an ric at Rorkes Drift?

[@Greasemonger]

Jonathan's always got the best shirts; anyone know where he gets them?

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

My personal choice would have been a Tranter 577 "Dervish Stopper". I am very privileged to have shot one of these at Bisley over 25 years ago, in exchange for allowing the owner to shoot my Bland .577 x 3¼" BP double rifle. The Tranter was less fierce that one might expect, I assume due to BP loading. Probably less kick than my Uberti Walker Colt reproduction revolver.

[@Swindle1984]

That makes sense, since the Walker had the greatest powder capacity of any commercially-produced percussion revolver ever made. Not that you wanted to load them to capacity, since the metallurgy wasn't the greatest...

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

@@Swindle1984 I think anyone who shoots 19th century firearms at or near their original loads (BP or smokeless) is taking a substantial risk. Both my Bland double rifle and the Tranter 577 revolver had been reproofed. Materials change with age (age embrittlement) and of course, one has no idea of past treatment of these vintage firearms, whether they have been overloaded, had chambers polished to remove rust etc. I had an 1899 Thomas Bland 577 nitro express falling block rifle, that had come out of India, which did pass reproof but only just (oversize chamber), so I retired it.

[@Swindle1984]

@@wilsonlaidlaw Explain how steel becomes brittle with age. Please.

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

@@Swindle1984 Dissociations which are molecular level faults in the crystalline structure tend to migrate together, particularly at the crystal boundaries. This is a slower process in steel than for example aluminium but over say 150 years, steel will become both weaker and more brittle.

[@Swindle1984]

@@wilsonlaidlaw Unless it's been exposed to stress (such as the load-bearing parts of a building, the wings of an aircraft, a gun that's been fired A LOT over decades, etc.) or corrosion, I sincerely doubt that a steel object is going to become weaker with age simply by existing.

[@rodwilson6648]

Interesting that this Serial No.1 revolver doesn't have a date on the frame. Every other Adams Mark I revolver I've seen (including the ones I own) are marked with a date on the left frame just above the grip. I've seen the dates ranging from 5.69 (May 1869) through to 1.77 (Jan 1877). I suppose the dates were War Department acceptance dates rather than conversion dates and because this example never saw service after it was converted it was never marked.

[@forksandspoons7272]

I'm curious about the commercial version and historical context. Assume you have a percussion model and you take it to a gun smith for conversion. Could you have the gate added, but keep the loading lever so you could switch cylinders on the fly or would that require a reset of the timing. I can imagine someone using percussion for range practice since they already have all the kit and can make their own balls. A cheaper option for shooting paper. But carry it with cartridges for faster reloads.

[@desmo750f1]

You would have to swap the hammer over as well. I'm not sure of the training value, as well as the handling differences the ballistics could be different.

[@lambastepirate]

Did they have to go with a new cylinder stop on the cartridge revolver?

[@lucibvee]

I need this, any repros?

[@ronalddavis]

the muzzle velocity

[@Necroscat]

Was looking for that book that Jonathan Ferguson wrote; Thorneycroft to SA80: British Bullpup Firearms. Wish I bought it earlier because now anywhere I look it's sold out. Was wondering if anyone knows if it's something they may restock in the future or if there's anywhere I could get a hard copy.

[@robertdeen8741]

Try googling Headstamp publishing. Don't know if it'll help but that's the name of the publishing firm.

[@paulkeys175]

I have read conflicting accounts of what revolver was used by Lt. J R M Chard. Appearently the one on display at the royal engineers museum and displayed as his is a RIC solid frame webly in .455 cal. Indicating it was a private purchase made up to a decade prior to the battle at Yorks Drift. I also read an account which described his revolver as a Tranter. Which would have had him loading cap and ball.

[@kevinoliver3083]

Transter also made cartridge revolvers.

[@CGM_68]

Glad to know the so-called 'Faff Factor' existed long before the modern office environment.

[@RumpleStiltzy]

PLEASE Jonathan, hook up with the Slow-Mo Guys and do something (ANYthing). You three would be a match made in KZbin heaven!!

[@kanrakucheese]

Ever see a period examples of a cartridge conversion (for any revolver) without a loading gate that dependedd on removing the cylinder to reload? With so many conversions being hand-made one-offs, I figure SOMEONE had to try saving a few cents.

[@MW-bi1pi]

There are some Historians that think George Custer carried an Adams Revolver at the Little Big Horn fight. There is evidence he did in fact use an Adams and said he preferred them. I also expect he would carry his preferred sidearm on the expedition.

[@parrotraiser6541]

The cartridge doesn't look long enough to take advantage of all the room in the cyclinder.

[@robertdeen8741]

Did they wait for Rolland White's patent on the bored through cylinder to expire or was it a case of Damn the Torpedoes, Full Steam Ahead!

[@badmutherfunster]

As a self appointed fashion expert, the blue gloves and red shirt combo do not go well with antique pistols 🤣

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

It is crazy how much changed in such a short time. From percussion revolvers on horseback to self-loaders in trenches within 50 years

[@macfilms9904]

I've got a Tranter from the same period - how do those fit in? Was the Tranter only a private purchase for officers?

[@kevinoliver3083]

Tranters were mainly for private sale. But the British Army bought a few hundred Tranters for the Zulu War.

[@andypanda4927]

Cannot help but observe that the cartridge looks like looks 'anemic for using in that cylinder. Was it, about, equivalent to S&W's Scofeild cartridge?

[@kevinoliver3083]

The Schofield cartridge was as powerful as the US Army's (underloaded) version of .45 LC. And no, the .450 Adams wasn't that powerful.

[@johnfisk811]

These would be the same models as the British prison service had still in use into the 1950s? To go alongside their Snider Gaol Service smoothbore shotguns.

[@nucleargaz1]

Didn't Burt Lancaster in Zulu Dawn use an Enfield No2 revolver (WW2 era) ?

[@morriganmhor5078]

So, a year before Colt Peacemaker, SA/DA, better (subjectively) handgrip with the angle near Colt 1911 and better means how to manipulate with the cylinder. Good work, tommies!

[@bobnesler4271]

Since this percussion revolver has no dedicated recoil shield, in the event of an accidental "chain fire", wouldn't the unfired caps be blown back into the shooter's face?

[@andreweden9405]

Question/thought experiment regarding British firearms laws: If the King himself wanted to have his own handgun to wear concealed on his person, would he be allowed? Or would he be subject to the same laws as any common citizen? Just curious!😁

[@Norvik_-ug3ge]

The King is not subject to arrest, so he might be in the unusual position of breaking the law but with no way of enforcing it. Traditionally the King essentially IS the law, so all laws apply to his subjects and not him. Obviously that's not entirely true as he needs to provide for his succession, make a will et cetera. Also bear in mind that those who really do need to have concealed firearms in the UK are allowed to have them. Many Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland for example were allowed to have and carry concealed firearms, quietly, due to the risk of Irish nationalist terrorism. The King would certainly be in that category, however as he has permanent personal protection I would guess King Charles is not tooled up.

[@julianmhall]

I think as with many movies before and since, the makers weren't / aren't worried about accuracy as much as what /looks/ OK to the average viewer, and what they can obtain cheaply given that in movies money talks louder than accuracy.

[@Norvik_-ug3ge]

Or what is actually available from the armourers of the day.

[@julianmhall]

@@Norvik_-ug3ge that goes hand in hand with cheap - if the armourers already have it then they don't have to spend money acquiring it. BTW when I said 'obtain' that includes 'get from the armourers', and you can't get cheaper than free :)

[@Norvik_-ug3ge]

@@julianmhall And it's also quite rare for the director to be a gun person and care about this stuff. The guy who made most of the Resident Evil films is an exception, Smith & Wesson granted him early access to one of their massive revolvers.

[@dextrodemon]

argh the upside down 180 degree rule breaking overhead shot lol makes one dizzy

[@podsmpsg1]

I'd go with the Webley, personally. Webley gives you 6 shots, is lighter, shorter, faster to load and reload.

[@razputin611]

Wonder if a few got used in ww1

[@r2crowseye]

Mae and Othais have covered a few British revolvers. 😏

[@paleoph6168]

Yep, definitely a *few* ;)

[@wrxs1781]

Correct or not, the scene where Stanley Bakers shaking hands while trying to reload is classic. The Adams although period correct would not have worked so well.

[@paleoph6168]

It could be though. For the metallic cartridge conversion, a gate loader is slower to load than a top break revolver - making the scene a bit more tense tense. For the original cap and ball revolver, Bakers would fumble around inserting the percussion caps, which is more difficult than loading metallic cartridges - also making the scene a bit more tense. Heck, he might even drop a few trying to do so, and instead of picking them back up, he simply fetches new ones from a container - furthering the tension even more.

[@wrxs1781]

@@paleoph6168 Ah yes agreed, and as in many movies, when the ammuniton is exhausted you hurl the firearm at you opponent.

[@paleoph6168]

@@wrxs1781 or in the case of Saving Private Ryan, throwing the helmet!

[@iainburgess8577]

Era Aesthetics; These are Victorian. Impeccably practical, but handmade by craftsmen; with the fine & finish as is a craftsman's mark. The Webbley is WW1; classic early industrial. Clean casting, solid metalwork, fine machining, but any craft is in the function. Victorian is, technically, Early induction, but it is the last days of Craftsmen holding the manufacturing; people w developed skill at every aspect, any one can fit, fettle, fix or create from scratch, a fine & finished gun. Possessing their tools as they go. Ww1 is pure but early industrial; cost & time come second to quality, but fit & finish are functional, and only that. There's less detail for any bar function; if it isn't necessary, it isn't there. Both are heavier construction than WW2/mid century or later, but thats two forces playing out Because of Ww1/Ww2. Better measurement, better understanding, better engineering (literally; pre ww1, most bullets/rounds are fiddle & find design; end Ww1/Ww2 it's intent & design brief engineering.) A lot of this is high speed photography & other information measurement.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

I think officers could still use whatever they liked then couldnt they? A lot of british officers used those huge calibre double barrelled pistol things

[@lionelallen2157]

You're thinking of Howdah (sp) pistols. Big, ugly, raw power pistols that were meant to stop an attacking tiger from the back of an elephant. Somewhat different application.

[@security225]

Kinda wish they would do reproductions of adams percussion revolvers

[@ahall1459]

Pity about it being upside down....not a good look

[@777anarchist]

Eh!

[@TommiHonkonen]

and then in 1980's the Austrians blessed us with the obviously best pistol ever

[@kanrakucheese]

I thought Gaston Glock invented the shovel a few years before that.

[@richardbruce8111]

Jonathon, loose the damn gloves, get a LIGHT cloth & SPEAK SLOWER!! ...you have great knowledge...amatuer presentation! ..these are Not mint condition weapons so we deserve to get better knowledge ..oil them after regards

[@tavshedfjols]

Who's worse: British Empire fanboys or American Imperialism enjoyers

[@kingnull2697]

You

[@xelias124]

I usually love this channel but that title is kind of fucked up. The zulu war was a brutal invasion by the british, in every history book outside of great britain it is depicted as a brutal massacre.

[@danielhurst8863]

The "should have been used in Zulu" refers to the movie, not the war. It WAS used in the war. The movie uses the wrong handgun.

[@andreww2098]

He's talking about the movie 'Zulu!' not actual history

[@chemistrykrang8065]

Yeah I don't think Jonathan is being an apologist for the British Empire here, as others have said he's talking about the movie... And if we start digging into all the stuff there (good and bad) we'll be here all day. If you are interested in the crimes of imperialism you might enjoy the Behind The Bastards podcast. Very good, and very entertaining. [Edit: Just wanted to note that I agree with your analysis of British and other European imperialism as being brutal, bloody, and often genocidal. It should go without saying, but there are those who continue through ignorance or weird nationalism to ignore the crimes of the Empire, so I wanted to say it clearly.]

[@morriganmhor5078]

Of the tribes preceding the Zulus in the south by the Zulus, moving from the North?

[@razputin611]

It was not a brutal invasion, it was a gentle sportsmanlike game for the heart and soul of a land.

[@highlandrab19]

Surely would have been a webley mk 2 or 3 by that time instead of the adams

[@erueka6]

Why is this not known to me it's revolver aesthetic design perfection and completely out of reach damn it.