[Josey]

The Starrs were made. The Le Mats were made and they are expensive to produce. Why are the British Adams or Tranters not produced? I am interested in a double action big bore 44. Any comments? CAS use is even possible. I could even see a NWMP reenactor with one. The UK and Commonwealth shooters could use them.

[Old Fuff]

I don't believe that SASS allows double-action revolvers except in some special side events. But the real problem is that it would be expensive to tool up to produce a replica for which there isn't any apparent demand. While European double-action revolvers were used in the American West, most were smaller "Bulldog" types. Probably the real probem is that Hollywood hasn't discovered them yet.

[Josey]

$A$$ is not the only CAS game in town. NCOWS, WASA and others do allow DA pistols. Cartridge, percussion and semi-auto.

[Old Fuff]

You’re right, but from a manufacturers’ point of view they aren’t big enough to support a market. Gunmakers aren’t interested in hundreds or even thousands of units. They think 10’s of thousands or more.

[Josey]

My thoughts exactly. I did think that what with the 36 caliber and BP Australians and other UK/Commonwealth shooters might constitute a market. The USA could also benefit.

[Jim K]

Another DA pistol that was used in the BP period was the Cooper, although they were never made in .44. The Cooper, in fact, would be a fairly easy gun to reproduce, since it is essentially a Colt with a DA mechanism.

As to the Commonwealth, I don't think they do a lot of re-enactments of that period. The English do do some re-enactments of their own Civil War, but that was 200 years earlier, and revolvers are not in the picture.

At this point, in fact, I am not sure even percussion revolvers are legal to make or own in the UK or some other countries.

All in all, I don't think we are about to see any Tranters in the cowboy shoots any time soon.

Jim

[Josey]

I was under the impression that less than 38 caliber BP arms were able to be kept at home. UK $A$$ members and Australian shooters have so advised me. Club membership, background checks, storage approval, police inspection and a police inspection and approval of the home storage device is required though. Shotguns can even be licensed.

[Alex]

There are actually reproductions of the Adams in 36 caliber, someone over in Germany was making them a few years back. Unfortunately they are terribly expensive. On the other hand I have seen percussion english revolvers by Adams and others in shootable condition selling for less than $2000 and sometimes less than $1000. Not a in-expensive gun, but when you consider some will pay several thousand for a tricked out 1911 a largely handbuilt antique revolver of good quality in this price range is downright reasonable.

[Josey]

I did not know that. Is there a website? I wonder if somebody might import them? Hello, Navy Arms!?

[fallingblock]

Here in Australia the originals are not that hard to find, but pricey for good examples.

Both Adams and Tranters were fairly common and popular on the various Australian goldfields during the mid-late-19th century. The miners, bushrangers (highwaymen) and police all used them. One of our antique arms club members reported finding an old Tranter in the ford of a creek!

We can still own blackpowder revolvers here, but the requirements are the same as for modern handguns: club membership, approved use, storage and an annual licence re-application in the Northern Territory.

The Adams really was a superior fighting revolver to the Colt of the day.
Double action, and available in calibres up to .50, it was preferred by the British Army over the '51 Colt.

Unfortunately, Colt had the patent on an effective gun-mounted rammer, which made loading the Adams a bit more tedious than the Colt.

Ensign Beaumont's improvement to allow single action mad the Adams even better.

[Crownvicman]

Fallingblock, what about the Remington and Whitney style rammers? Did the patent not apply in the US like the White patent on bored through cylinders to the rest of the world? Just wondering if anyone knows.

[fallingblock]

I believe the Colt English patent was more exclusive.

I think the situation is discussed in:

"The Revolver 1818-1865"
AWF Taylerson, RAN Andrews and J Firth) by Herbert Jenkins – London ...

But my copy is in the U.S.:(

A fellow by the name of Deane developed a working rammer for the Adams which did not infringe on the Colt patent, it is mounted on the left side of the frame/barrel and looks a bit "stuck-on" when compared to the Colt rammer.

[gvass]

"At this point, in fact, I am not sure even percussion revolvers are legal to make or own in the UK or some other countries."

hi,
yes, these are almost the only handguns they can legally own. But licence required for these, too.