Five Shot Double-Action Percussion Revolver with Shoulder Stock, Case, and Accessories

ca. 1860

Not on view

This revolver and detachable shoulder stock are part of an extensive and finely made cased set. The mechanism and technical features of the pistol are closely based on a British type, the Beaumont Adams revolver, patented in 1855 and a popular rival to the more renowned Colt revolvers. However, it is unlikely that this pistol was made in England due to the lack of any proof marks or serial numbers, which were required under British patent laws. The presence of two German coats of arms incorporated into the decoration of the pistol and its custom-made case and the German words guss-stahl (cast steel) on the pistol barrel indicate that the entire set was produced in Germany. The coat of arms on the butt of the pistol appears to belong to the Wedel family of Pomerania. The lid of the case is emblazoned with the arms of the Bismarck family, suggesting this set was made for or belonged to Otto von Bismarck (1815–1898), the most famous and influential German politician and diplomat of the second half of the nineteenth century.

Artwork Details

Title: Five Shot Double-Action Percussion Revolver with Shoulder Stock, Case, and Accessories
Date: ca. 1860
Culture: German
Medium: Steel, wood (oak), silver, gold, copper alloy, textile, lead
Dimensions: Revolver (a): L. 13 11/16 in. (34.77 cm); L. of barrel 6 3/16 in. (15.72 cm); Cal. .38 in. (7.11 mm); Wt. 2 lb. 10.7 oz. (1209 g); stock (b): L. 12 1/4 in. (31.12 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 5.2 oz. (601 g); case (c): 23 3/8 x 11 x 2 15/16 in. (59.37 x 27.94 x 7.46 cm); Wt. 11 lb. 10.9 oz. (5299 g); cylinder (d): L. 1 15/16 in. (4.92 cm); Diam. 1 1/2 in. (3.81 cm); Wt. 9.25 oz. (263 g); cylinder (e): L. 1 7/8 in. (4.76 cm); Diam. 1 1/2 in. (3.81 cm); Wt. 9.10 oz. (258 g); powder flask (f): 5 1/8 x 2 3/16 x 1 1/4 in. (13.02 x 5.56 x 3.18 cm); Wt. 2.95 oz. (84 g); cleaning rod (g): L. 10 3/8 in. (26.35 cm); greatest Diam. 1 1/4 in. (3.18 cm); Wt. 1.45 oz. (41 g); bullet mold (h): 9 1/4 x 1 5/8 x 15/16 in. (23.50 x 4.13 x 2.38 cm); Wt. 9.25 oz. (262 g); screwdriver (i): L. 6 5/16 in. (16.03 cm); Diam. 1 1/8 in. (2.86 cm); Wt. 1.65 oz. (47 g); nipple wrench (j): L. 6 1/16 in. (15.40 cm); Diam. 1 3/16 in. (3.02 cm); Wt. 2.05 oz. (59 g); screwdriver (k): L. 5 7/8 in. (14.92 cm); Diam. 1 in. (2.54 cm); Wt. 1.30 oz. (37 g); pin tool (l): L. 5 1/16 in. (12.86 cm); Diam. 1 in. (2.54 cm); Wt. 0.7 oz. (20 g); oil canister (m): L. 1 5/16 in. (3.33 cm); Diam. 7/8 in. (2.22 cm); Wt. 0.95 oz. (27 g); adjustable powder measure (n): L. 2 7/16 in. (6.19 cm); Diam. 1/2 in. (1.27 cm); Wt. 0.6 oz. (18 g); preset powder measure (o): L. 1 11/16 in. (4.29 cm); Diam. 7/16 in. (1.11 cm); Wt. 0.30 oz. (8 g); cap dispenser (p): 2 1/2 x 1 7/8 x 1/2 in. (6.35 x 4.76 x 1.27 cm); Wt. 2.6 oz. (74 g); threaded tool head (q): L. 1 3/8 in. (3.49 cm); Diam. 3/8 in. (0.95 cm); spare nipple platter (r): Diam. 2 1/16 in. (5.24 cm); Wt. with spare nipples 1.2 oz. (34 g); 11 spare nipples (s–cc): L. of each 1/2 in. (1.27 cm); Wt. of each 0.05 oz. (2 g)
Classification: Firearms-Pistols-Revolvers
Credit Line: Gift of The Robert M. Lee Foundation, in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary, 2018
Object Number: 2018.856.18a–cc
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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