Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army Revolver

Published on March 12, 2019
Duration: 7:18

This video provides an expert-level overview of the Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army Revolver, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons. The review details the revolver's historical context as a competitor to Colt and Smith & Wesson in the .44 caliber market, its mechanical features including a unique pivoting ejector rod, and its limited production run. The presenter's deep knowledge of 19th-century firearms genealogy and mechanical demonstrations highlight the E-E-A-T.

Quick Summary

The Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army Revolver, chambered in .44 S&W Russian, was a late 19th-century attempt to compete with Colt and Smith & Wesson. It featured a 7.5-inch barrel, single-action mechanism, and a unique pivoting ejector rod inspired by Webley designs, though fewer than 1,000 were produced.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army
  2. 00:30Company History: Allen & Wheelock to Forehand & Wadsworth
  3. 01:25Market Position: Competing with Colt and S&W
  4. 02:42Technical Specifications: .44 Russian, 7.5" Barrel
  5. 03:19Operation and Mechanics: Ejector Rod Demonstration
  6. 04:20Sights and Markings: Serial Number and Patent Dates
  7. 05:44Production and Legacy: Limited Run and Sale

Frequently Asked Questions

What caliber is the Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army Revolver?

The Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army Revolver featured in the video is chambered in .44 Smith & Wesson Russian. This was a significant caliber for service revolvers of the era, intended to compete with other major manufacturers.

What was the production volume of the Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army Revolver?

Production numbers for the Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army Revolver were quite limited, with fewer than 1,000 units reportedly manufactured. This makes it a relatively rare find for collectors today.

What distinguished the Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army's ejector rod system?

The Forehand & Wadsworth Old Army featured a unique pivoting ejector rod system, largely copied from Webley designs. While functional, it was considered less robust than the ejector systems used by competitors like Colt and Smith & Wesson.

What is the historical significance of Forehand & Wadsworth?

Forehand & Wadsworth was a firearms manufacturer that evolved from Allen & Wheelock. It was established by Sullivan Forehand and Henry Wadsworth, sons-in-law of Ethan Allen, and attempted to break into the military revolver market.

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