A Very Fine Cased 5 Shot 120 Bore Beaumont Adams Patent Double Action Percussion Revolver Retailed by Purdey. 10 ¾” overall, 4 ¼” blued octagonal border line engraved sighted barrel signed ‘Jas. Purdey, 314½ Oxford St. London’ on the blued top flat. Left flats with LAC & London Proofs, very finely border & scroll engraved blued frame, the right side of the frame engraved ‘No B 20068 Adams Patent 35817R’ in a scrolling ribbon. Cylinder stamped with London proof marks & ‘35817R’, blued rammer. Safety bolt on right hand side, engraved trigger guard, finely chequered butt with scroll engraved butt trap. In its contemporary red baize lined & fitted oak case with large engraved brass escutcheon with the arms of J Jones of Abberleyon, the lid containing Adams double cavity brass 120 bore mould for pointed bullets, cleaning rod with worm, oil bottle, bag shaped copper flask by Sykes, turn screw & a round wooden cap box.
Circa 1857
A very finely finished revolver in good condition, retaining most of its original finish. Very few Purdey retailed revolvers in 120 bore are known. Sold with some notes on this pistol and on Joseph Jones
Note: Lt. Frederick Blackett Edward Beaumont, R.E., was granted a patent in February 1855 for a double action lock mechanism, based upon Robert Adams' self-cocking design.