Colt 1855 Deluxe Revolving Rifle .44 cal

WEAPON / ROF / DAM / PEN / BLK / MAG / SS/BRST / RNG
SAR / 2 / 1-2-nil / 6 / 6i / 3/- / 40 m
Reload pr chamber: 4 phases
ROUND / .44 cap and ball or minie
MAG / 6i
WEIGHT / 4.5kg
PRICE / 800 US as Italian made replica
OTHER / Moderen versions have flange to avoid accidental chain discharges of adjacent chambers in cylinder

The black powder percussion revolving rifle was a moderate success in its time.It was less powerfull than contemporary muzzelloading muskets or breachloaders such as the Enfield,Sharps and others .Its potentially increased rate of fire was somewhat negated by its less powerful powder charge and caliber ,meaning shorter range and poorer ballistic performance than regular muskets and rifles of the time. It was also more expensive to produce and a highere level of training and discipline was necessary in the units that used them.Consequently it was never utilized in big numbers.Chain fire or accidental discharges led to some injuries among the troops issued with the rifle and this led to its unpopularity with the troops.

From historical researchers comes this dry-as-dust evaluation:

The U.S. War Department purchased 4,712 of these rifles during the Civil War, but they were soon relegated to the storage shed due to their disturbing tendency to fire all cylinders at one time, often removing the fingers of the firer’s forward hand. The rifle’s discharge rate was so unpredictable that men often lowered the loading lever and held the weapon by it when they pulled the trigger.

Other carbines were more reliable and soon the metallic cartridge loaders would eclipse the percussion firearms ,carbines such as the Spencer,the Henry and the Smith .(Although the Smith carbine technically is a percussion fired weapon).

All was not amiss with the design however . Civilian use continued for some time ,and the weapon was popular among the horsemen of the west in the 1850s for its ability to deliver consecutive shots .

Today the “root revolving rifle” is replicated by several makers and offered to collectors, enthusiast and sport shooters.There are no indications that the problems with operating these firearms exist with the modern models.Lubricating the wad that seals the charge in the chamber is however required to be safe .