Swing and a Miss: The Joslyn Army Revolver

Published on March 19, 2019
Duration: 8:53

This video provides an in-depth look at the Joslyn Army Revolver, a unique .44 caliber percussion pistol. It details its patent history, production challenges, and mechanical intricacies, including its distinctive rotary hand mechanism for cylinder rotation. The assessment highlights its historical use by Union forces and its reported unreliability in the field.

Quick Summary

The Joslyn Army Revolver, patented in 1858 by Benjamin Joslyn, is a unique .44 caliber percussion revolver. Despite its distinctive rotary hand mechanism, it suffered from significant reliability issues in combat, leading to its historical assessment as "close to useless" by Union forces.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Joslyn Army Revolver
  2. 00:42Patent and Production History
  3. 01:41Production Numbers
  4. 02:25Physical Specifications and Grips
  5. 03:02Serialization and Markings
  6. 04:00Sights and Mechanical Features
  7. 05:23Internal Rotation Mechanism
  8. 07:03Service History and Reliability

Frequently Asked Questions

What caliber was the Joslyn Army Revolver?

The Joslyn Army Revolver was chambered in .44 caliber. Notably, it was the only .44 caliber revolver purchased by the US Navy, which typically used .36 caliber for naval service.

Who patented the Joslyn Army Revolver and when?

The Joslyn Army Revolver was patented by Benjamin Joslyn in 1858. It is a 5-shot, .44 caliber percussion revolver.

What was the production history of the Joslyn Army Revolver?

An initial contract for 500 pistols failed due to production issues. Total production was between 2,500 and 3,000 units, with about 1,100 purchased by the military on the open market.

How reliable was the Joslyn Army Revolver in combat?

Historical reports indicate the Joslyn Army Revolver was unreliable and considered "close to useless" in field combat by Union units, leading to their eventual surplus sale.

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