Swing and a Miss: The Joslyn Army Revolver

Published on March 19, 2019
Duration: 8:53

The Joslyn Army Revolver, a unique .44 caliber percussion side-hammer revolver patented in 1858, saw limited production between 2,500-3,000 units. Despite its purchase by the US Navy and military, it was notoriously unreliable in combat, with reports deeming it 'close to useless.' Its design features a distinctive rotary hand for cylinder rotation and a rear-removable axis pin, but suffers from poor sights and an unusually large grip.

Quick Summary

The Joslyn Army Revolver was the US Navy's only .44 caliber purchase, patented in 1858. Despite unique features like a rotary hand mechanism, it suffered from poor reliability in combat, earning the description 'close to useless' from soldiers.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Unique Navy Purchase
  2. 00:42Patent and Production History
  3. 01:41Production Numbers & Military Acquisition
  4. 02:25Physical Specifications & Grip
  5. 03:02Serialization and Markings
  6. 04:00Sights and Mechanical Features
  7. 05:23Internal Rotation Mechanism Explained
  8. 07:03Service History and Unreliability

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Joslyn Army Revolver unique among US Navy firearms?

The Joslyn Army Revolver is unique because it was the only .44 caliber revolver ever purchased by the US Navy. Typically, the Navy favored smaller .36 caliber handguns for naval service, making the Joslyn an unusual procurement.

What was the combat performance of the Joslyn Army Revolver?

Historical reports indicate the Joslyn Army Revolver was notably unreliable in combat. Union soldiers, particularly cavalry units, described them as 'close to useless,' leading to their eventual surplus sale.

What are the key mechanical features of the Joslyn Army Revolver?

The Joslyn features a side-hammer design and a unique internal mechanism using a rotary hand driven by a hammer cam for cylinder rotation. It also has a rear-removable cylinder axis pin.

How many Joslyn Army Revolvers were produced and acquired by the military?

Total production is estimated between 2,500 and 3,000 units. Approximately 1,100 of these were purchased by the military on the open market, rather than through direct manufacturing contracts.

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