Massachusetts Arms Maynard-Primed Belt Revolver

Published on October 3, 2015
Duration: 6:55

This guide details the disassembly and operation of the Massachusetts Arms Maynard-Primed Belt Revolver, focusing on its unique Maynard tape primer system and manual cylinder indexing. Expert Ian from Forgotten Weapons explains how the design evolved to circumvent Colt patents, highlighting the practical limitations of the tape primer compared to modern metallic cartridges. The video serves as a preview for an auction at James D. Julia.

Quick Summary

The Massachusetts Arms Maynard-Primed Belt Revolver (1851-1857) featured a Maynard tape primer and manual cylinder indexing to bypass Colt patents. Approximately 1,000 .31 caliber belt and 900 .28 caliber pocket models were made. The tape primer was less reliable than metallic caps due to waterproofing issues.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Maynard-Primed Belt Revolver
  2. 00:25Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon Background
  3. 00:44Colt Patent Infringement Lawsuit
  4. 01:14Massachusetts Arms Redesign
  5. 01:35Maynard Tape Primer System
  6. 01:51Physical Comparison and Mechanics
  7. 02:27Disassembly and Barrel Mechanism
  8. 02:44Manual Cylinder Indexing
  9. 03:26Maynard Tape Primer Explained
  10. 04:36Automatic Primer Feed Mechanism
  11. 05:22Maynard Primer Drawbacks and Production
  12. 06:18Conclusion and Auction Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the Massachusetts Arms Maynard-Primed Belt Revolver unique?

Its key innovations were the Maynard tape primer system, which used a roll of paper tape for ignition, and manual cylinder indexing, both designed to circumvent existing Colt patents and allow continued production.

Why was the Maynard tape primer system eventually abandoned?

The Maynard tape primer system, while ingenious, lacked waterproofing and was less reliable in adverse conditions compared to metallic cartridges. This made it less practical for widespread use, especially in military applications.

How did the Massachusetts Arms revolver avoid infringing on Colt patents?

The company redesigned its revolvers to eliminate features that violated Colt's patents, such as automatic cylinder rotation and specific percussion cap arrangements. They adopted the Maynard tape primer and manual indexing as alternative solutions.

What is the historical significance of the Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon Revolver?

The Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon was an early attempt by Massachusetts Arms to compete with Colt. Its design, however, infringed on Colt patents, leading to a lawsuit and forcing a redesign into models like the Maynard-Primed Belt Revolver.

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