Whitney-Beals Walking Beam Pocket Revolver

Published on February 15, 2017
Duration: 8:47

The Whitney-Beals Walking Beam Pocket Revolver, designed by Fordyce Beals in 1854, utilized a unique 'walking beam' mechanism to index the cylinder, circumventing Colt's patent. Manufactured by Eli Whitney, this percussion revolver featured a ring trigger for operation and manual hammer cocking. Variations include 6-shot and .28 caliber models, with the standard being a 7-shot .31 caliber. Beals later contributed significantly to Remington's designs.

Quick Summary

The Whitney-Beals Walking Beam Pocket Revolver featured a unique 'walking beam' mechanism designed by Fordyce Beals to index the cylinder, circumventing Colt's patent. Manufactured by Eli Whitney, it used a ring trigger for operation and manual hammer cocking, with cylinder removal required for reloading.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Whitney-Beals Walking Beam Revolver
  2. 01:18Eli Whitney & Manufacturing Role
  3. 02:18Variations and Markings
  4. 03:08Operation and Cylinder Removal
  5. 04:10The Walking Beam Mechanism Explained
  6. 06:37Fordyce Beals' Legacy at Remington

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the Whitney-Beals Walking Beam Revolver unique?

Its primary innovation was the 'walking beam' mechanism, designed by Fordyce Beals, which allowed the cylinder to be indexed without infringing on Colt's patent for connected hammer and cylinder rotation.

Who manufactured the Whitney-Beals revolver?

The Whitney-Beals revolver was manufactured by Eli Whitney, a pioneer in industrial automation and interchangeable parts, who produced firearms for inventors lacking their own factory facilities.

How is the Whitney-Beals revolver operated?

It operates as a single-action percussion revolver. The hammer must be manually cocked, and the cylinder is indexed and fired using a distinctive ring trigger mechanism.

What are the common variations of the Whitney-Beals Pocket Revolver?

The standard model is a 7-shot .31 caliber pistol. However, 6-shot variants and smaller .28 caliber versions were also produced, offering different configurations.

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