Original Deane, Adams, & Deane Belgian made M1851 Dragoon Percussion Revolver for the U.S. Market Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a real Beast! First introduced by Deane & Adams in London in 1851, the Dragoon Revolver has a huge bore of about .50″ with great stopping power. These were truly favored in the Crimean War in 1854 against the Imperial Russians. The story goes that a British Officer fired all SIX of his .36 Caliber Colt Navy revolver into a Russian Hussar, but still the Russian cleaved the Officer’s head from crown to jaw before falling dead. The need for the BIG Bore Revolvers had arrived!

This is a double action only 5 shot revolver with NO hammer spur. It is massive and is fitted with a fully checkered wood grip, and was actually made under license in Belgium on behalf of the British designers based in London. This is indicated by the markings on the top strap:

MANUFD BY AF LICENSED BY DEANE ADAMS & DEANE LONDON

The “AF” marking indicates manufacture by the famous Belgian gunmaker Auguste Francotte, who was based in Liège, the famous gunmaking city of Belgium. The frame and cylinder bear Francotte’s Crown over AF trademark, and the cylinder also has the E / L G/ * in an Oval marking for Liège. The city produced large quantities of firearms for the export market, in this case for Deane, Adams, and Deane.

In 1851, English designer Robert Adams offered his “improved” repeater. Like the Colt, it had a cylinder and single barrel, but the shooter had merely to pull the trigger in one smooth action to cock the piece, rotate its cylinder and fire it. In fact, the revolver could only be fired double-action and lacked a hammer spur. Adams formed a partnership with the father-and-son team of George and John Deane, and established a London manufacturing facility and salesroom. This revolver is correctly marked with ADAMS / 1851 / PATENT on the left side of the frame, and is also marked faintly with ADAMS PATENT 12154 on the right side.

In the latter 1850’s Britain leaned heavily in favor of the Confederacy however by 1861 their support shifted to the Federal Union side. This made things very hard for the South, who had a large presence in England trying to Smuggle weapons out of England and into the Confederacy by Blockade Runners. Belgium, being neutral, had an open market for export and were quick to fill the gap. So it is very possible that this revolver was specially ordered from a Confederate Officer and the order was filled from Belgium.

In bright, very crisp condition, the early style Adams big bore revolvers are very hard to locate and command appropriately higher prices. It functions well, with a crisp action and solid indexing. It looks like it was at one time nickel plated , however it is now a lovely polished bright steel. There is some wear to the engravings, and some markings are faint, so it has definitely been cleaned numerous times over the years. The barrel is in good shape, with clear lands and grooves, and the expected fouling and oxidation. The hammer stop for reloading is present, but worn, so it will not hold the hammer unless pressed inward from the left side.

This is a fascinating example that could well be included in any U.S. Civil War Collection. Just splendid and ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: about .50″
Ammunition Type: Cap & Ball
Barrel Length: 7 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 14 inches
Action: Double Action Only
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver