"Revolvers in the Crimean? " Topic

Not sure why this question hadn't dawned on me before.
Were revolvers used by officers in that war? The more famous revolvers are post the war. But the first colt showed up in 1836.

Many early revolvers were unreliable and I think they only became popular with the military after fixed cartridges were introduced.

The Royal Navy did use them earlier I think.

For British officers during the Crimean War revolvers were non-regulation but often Adam and Colt revolvers were privately purchased and carried. Cavalry rankers carried percussion carbines and pistols.

As noted reliability was an issue – many early revolvers has the ugly habit of blowing up

You might find this interesting:

link

Lots of British officers utilized privately purchased Colt Navy models in that time period, mostly from the London office.

And to be fair, by the time they were on the 2nd or 3rd Model Dragoon's, chain-firing wasn't much of an issue.

I wish I could remember the source but I recall reading an account of an officer at the Alma emptying his Colt(?) at some attacking Russians only to miss all of them. In frustration he flung the empty gun at them knocking one down as he drew his sword.

Hehe… 79th, I got lost at your link. Spent quite some time finding my way back! Thanks!!

During the Indian Mutiny, three years later, officers carried both revolvers and the old single shot pistols. I recall reading that some officers thought the revolvers did not have the same "stopping power" as the single shot pistols.