1.2 Fundamentación científica
1.2.9 Desarrollo de capacidades en el aula
While Samuel Remington was in Washington testifying before the Owen-Holt Commission on Ordnance, he made the following request of the bureau:
Washington, April22, 1862 Capt. A. A. Harwood
Chief of Bureau of Ord. & Hydro. Washington, D.C.
Sir,
Being desirous of bringing our Navy Revolver favorable before your Department—
We would respectfully ask that you grant a trial to be made with the same.2
Remington had a large inventory of Beals Navy Revolvers, which had accumulated after Secretary of War Stanton’s general order of March 10 that suspended all arms deliveries to the Army Ordnance Department. Although this department temporarily accepted revolvers again on April 15, Remington was seeking another market. To this end, he deposited a Beals Navy Revolver with the bureau for evaluation. I have not located further correspondence between Remington and the bureau regarding this request, but the bureau conducted a trial on May 3, 1862 (figure 74):
Report on Beal’s Revolver is resp. submitted to the Bureau of Ordnance.
May3, 1862
Capt. Jno A. Dahlgren, Commdt.
Navy Yard, Washington Sir,
In relation to Beals patent revolving pistols presented for trial by Mr. Remington we have to report as follows.
The pistol differs from Colt’s Navy pistol chiefly in the manner in which the cylinder is held in place, and the arrangement of the frame which with the barrel is in one piece.
The cylinder is kept in place by a sliding base pin under the barrel, which can only be CHAPTER SIX
withdrawn by lowering the rammer. By this means the cylinder may be removed and
Six hundred shots were fired, five hundred of which were fired at a target of three thicknesses of1 1/2 in. pine boards, 30 inches square at a distance of 100 ft. Every charge but one exploded at the first fall of the hammer.
One hundred and ninety five shots struck the target, all of which went through the first board and penetrated the second, only four went through the second and pen-etrated the third.
For comparison, thirty of the same cartridges were fired at the target from Colt’s Navy revolver, six of the ten that hit the target penetrated the third board.
At the150th shot, the cylinder, revolving with some difficulty, it was cleaned. At the582nd round, it would not revolve until it was cleaned. Both interruptions were caused by the escape of gas between the cylinder and the barrel, which fouled the piece considerably. As it is claimed by the inventor that the pistol can be fired with much greater rapidity by removing the cylinder to load, one hundred and twenty shots were fired in this manner in28 min. 36 sec. One hundred and twenty by the usual process in29 min. 3 sec.
It is thought that in cleaning, there is an advantage in the simplicity with which the frame and cylinder are arranged consisting of but two pieces, one movement of the hand takes it apart. The connection of the barrel and stock by a strap over the cylinder gives additional strength. In penetration under the same circumstances, it will be observed that Colt’s is eminently superior, while accuracy appears slightly in favor of Beals.
Very Respectfully,
Foxhall A. Parker, Lt. & Ex. Offc.
Wm. Mitchell, Lieut.3
The inventor’s claim that the revolver could be loaded faster by removing the cylinder is interesting. This comment may have been intended to disparage Colt revolvers, in which the removal of the cylinder was a more intricate operation. Beals’s method of loading would have required an extra appendage to seat the ball or cartridge, similar to the tool furnished with the first and second models of the Beals Pocket Revolvers. This appendage is not nor-mally associated with the Beals Navy Revolver, but I am aware of one factory-boxed navy revolver containing this tool.
At the time the above ordnance report was submitted, Colt was supplying revolvers to the navy, with which they seemed quite pleased. In August 1862, Capt. John A. Dahlgren (fig-ure 75), who had recently succeeded Harwood as chief of the bureau, ordered army revolvers from the Army Ordnance Department:
REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY
CHAPTER SIX
Figure 74
Lt. Foxhall A. Parker, U.S. Navy.
(Courtesy: Library of Congress)
Figure 75
Adm. John A. Dahlgren, chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. (Courtesy: Library of Congress)
Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department Aug.5th, 1862
Brig. Genl. J. W. Ripley U.S.A.
Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.
Sir,
I have the honor to request that you will direct to be forwarded to Ordnance Officer at the New York Navy Yard, (250) Two Hundred and Fifty Army revolvers.
I am Very Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servant J. A. Dahlgren, Chief of Bureau4
Ripley furnished Colt Armies, and in the process of approving the receipts, Dahlgren evi-dently discovered that Colt was delivering revolvers to the army at a lower price than to the navy.
On becoming aware of this price discrimination, on August 23 he contacted Colt with the fol-lowing inquiry:
Telegram
To Colt’s Arms Co.
Hartford, Conn.
Will you supply Navy Revolvers at the same rate as to the Army?
If so, state the price.
Aug.23d, 11.10 A.M. J. A. Dahlgren5
The reply to this telegram has not been located, but it appears that Colt refused to lower their price. On the same day that he telegraphed Colt, Dahlgren wired the Remington armory:
Telegram
E. Remington & Sons Ilion, N.Y.
Please forward a sample of your revolver to this Bureau, together with a small quantity of ammunition. Note caliber and price.
23 Aug. J. A. Dahlgren6
Remington responded to this request on August 25:
Sir,
We telegraphed you today in answer to your dispatch of Saturday, Aug.23.
We are now furnishing the Government with both the Army & Navy size Revolver,44/100 & 36/100 calibre, the latter same as sample sent you. Our engage-ments are such that we could only give you at present about1,000 of the Navy size .36 calibre, (like sample). Can supply your Department (after completing our present Contract, which will require about60 days) at the rate of 50 per day.
The price would be the same as we are receiving from the Government, $12. each,
REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY
CHAPTER SIX
with the usual appendages, viz.:1 screwdriver & cone wrench & 1 bullet mould to each Revolver.
The cartridges we send are not what we propose furnishing with our Revolver (not having any on hand at this time). Will send some in a few days more suitable for the pis-tol & securing better penetration.7
Remington shipped a Beals Navy Revolver (figure 76), serial number 14,741, to the bureau who, in turn, forwarded it to the Ordnance Department, Washington Navy Yard, with the follow-ing endorsements:
This accompanies sample Remmington [sic] Revolver of same caliber as Colt’s Navy .36 at
$12. which the Captain wishes tried and reported upon.
H. A. Wise, Asst. to Bureau
Received the revolver and cartridges Aug.30, & sent them to Lab’y. A. B. M.8
Lt. Cdr. W. W. Queen tested the revolver, using a Colt Navy Revolver for comparison, and made the following report on September 5:
Beals patent revolving Pistol Sir,
In obedience to your order, I have fired Beals patent revolving pistol No.14,741, furnished by Messrs. E. Remington & Sons as follows:
With the ammunition furnished 342 rounds
“ Colt’s ammunition 158 do
Total 500 do
Figure 76
Beals Navy Revolver, fourth variation. (Author’s collection)
At the180th & 342nd rounds, the pistol working rather stiffly, it was taken apart and wiped.
The penetration was tested with each kind of ammunition by firing20 shots, at a tar-get made of1 in. pine boards consisting of 9 boards, so placed as to leave a space of one inch between each. It was two feet square, and set at a distance of73 ft. 5.
of Colt’s ammunition:
16 struck and penetrated the 1st and 2nd boards.
12 penetrated the 3rd board & 4 more embedded in it.
1 was embedded in the 4th board, and there were 10 indentations in it.
of Remington’s ammunition:
17 struck the target and penetrated the 1st and 2nd board 16 penetrated & 1 was embedded in the 3rd “ 4 penetrated, & 4 were embedded in the 4th “
and there were6 indentations in it.
2 were embedded, and there were 2 indentations in the 5th board
To test the escape of gas at the joint between the cylinder and the barrel, pieces of white paper and cotton waste were bound closely around the joint, each during5 shots.
They were slightly discolored and considerably torn.
The same number of shots were then fired from Colt’s Navy Pistol, under the same circumstance, the relative escape of gas appearing to be slightly in favor of the Remington arm.
The pistol was examined before and after firing by a competent workman, who reported it on each occasion in good order.
The pistol complete weighs 18,162 grains
“ Cylinder “ “ 4,395 grs.
A mean of the weight of3 cartridges taken at random is as follows.
Powder 15 grs.
Ball 137 grs.
Total 152 grs.
They were of the manufacture of Messrs. Johnson [sic] and Dow and did not fit the pistol well, though in other respects serviceable.9
Three days later, Lieutenant Commander Mitchell forwarded another report to Dahlgren:
Sir,
In relation to the relative merits of Colt’s and Beal’s [sic] (Remingtons) revolving pistols, I have to report that judging from the results of the examination by Lieut. (now Comdr.) Parker and myself, as per report of May3, 1862 and from that of Lieut. Comdr. Queen of the5th instant, I am of the opinion that the Beal’s [sic] is fully equal to that of the Colt.
For accuracy it has proved superior in both trials.
In the first instance the penetration was in favor of the Colts but in the latter trial, that of the Beal’s [sic] was the greater.
REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY
It endured500 shots, by Lieut. Comdr. Queen without difficulty, the pistol working as well after as before the trial.
The mechanical arrangement is much more simple than that of the Colts, a simple movement of the hand takes it apart and it is put together with equal ease.
The strap over the barrel gives it additional strength and is so arranged as not to interfere with the working of the pistol.
It varies slightly in weight from that first tried, but in other respects the same.10
Shortly after receiving these reports, Dahlgren ordered the navy’s first lot of revolvers and ammunition from Remington on September 15:
Sirs,
You will please deliver to the Asst. Insp. Of Ordnance, Navy Yard, Portsmouth N.H.
One Hundred and Twenty (120) Beal’s [sic] Revolvers with ammunition, spare parts etc. for do.11
Remington shipped this order on September 18 and advised Dahlgren on the following day:
Sir,
We beg to enclose herewith Invoice of120 Revolvers (navy size) with appendages as forwarded agreeable to your order of the15th inst. received yesterday.
We are a little in doubt as to the proper amount of ammunition to forward with the pistols and telegraphed you in regard to same. Receiving no reply, we have concluded to send the pistols forward with one box cartridges, (1200).
If more are wanted, we will forward them as soon as advised. The cartridges are accompanied with percussion caps. We send with the pistols,1 Bullet mould, 1 Screwdriver
& cone wrench and1 extra cone to each pistol, as usual. Have also added a few main springs extra.12
On the twentieth, the bureau advised Remington by telegram, “Send one hundred and twenty (120) rounds with each pistol.”13Remington did not ship the cartridges until September 25 and advised the bureau on that day:
Sir,
We have the honor to hand you herewith Invoice of Cartridges this day forwarded to Ass’t.
Insp. Ordnance, Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., completing the requisite number for the pistols furnished, (120 Rounds to each).
We have been delayed in forwarding the Cartridges a few days, in consequence of not having a sufficient supply on hand, when the order was received. We shall endeavor to be prepared to execute more promptly any future orders you may have occasion to send us. Hoping that the temporary delay of the Cartridges in this instance, will not cause any inconvenience.14
CHAPTER SIX
The bureau had not received the previous letter when they again contacted Remington on September 27:
Sirs,
Yours of the19th received. You will please forward to the Ass’t. Inspector of Ordnance, Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.
Twelve thousand cartridges for revolvers, and let the Percussion Caps be put in separate parcels.15
Remington responded to this on the thirtieth:
Sir,
We are in receipt of yours of the27th inst., containing order for 12,000 Cartridges to be forwarded to Ass’t Inspector of Ordnance, Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H. The Cartridges were sent forward some days since, agreeable to order received per telegraph.
We notice your instructions relative to putting the Percussion Caps in parcels separate from the Cartridges, and will hereafter have them put up in that manner.16
Upon receiving this letter, the bureau advised Remington:
Gentlemen,
The telegraphic order from the Bureau of the20th, inst. having been filled, the order of the27th inst for 12,000 cartridges is annulled.17
Although the order of the nineteenth was very specific in referring to Beals revolvers, I can-not ascertain if the revolvers delivered were indeed Beals models or the newly introduced revolver with the Elliot patent lever and arbor pin. References to “Beals Revolvers” may be found in the bureau’s correspondence as late as April 1863, the approximate introduction date of the early New Model Revolvers.
The test reports of May 3 and September 8, 1862, both make reference to Beals revolvers. The last line of Mitchell’s report states that other than a slight variation in weight, the revolver tested was the same as the one he had tested on May 3, before the introduction of the Elliot model (figure 77).
In July, Army Ordnance Inspector Col. W. A. Thornton had refused to accept approximately fif-teen hundred Beals Navy Revolvers from Remington, citing numerous defects in a report to the chief of ordnance. Remington’s letter to Dahlgren on August 25 stated, “Our engagements are such that we can give you at present about 1,000 of the Navy size .36 calibre, (like sample).”18At that time, Remington was approximately two thousand revolvers in arrears on an army contract for five thou-sand navy revolvers. It seems unlikely that Remington, behind in production, could or would offer revolvers to the navy, unless the revolvers were Beals models that had been rejected by Thornton.
By way of a review, the Army Ordnance Department contract for navy revolvers had been exe-cuted on June 13, 1862, but none were accepted until August 11 because of the faults mentioned in Thornton’s reports. Remington delivered a total of five thousand Beals and Elliot Navy Revolvers on REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY
this contract, most of them after Remington had requested and received a three-month extension.
Those accepted by the army are easily identified by the cartouche of Ordnance Sub-Inspector C. G.
Curtis, stamped on the left grip. A study of the revolvers accepted by the army reveals a serial num-ber range of approximately 13,500–19,500. Accordingly, I assume that the early deliveries to the navy were in the same serial number range as those first delivered to the army. With few exceptions, it is impossible to identify the revolvers delivered to the navy. The navy neither subjected them to a for-mal inspection, nor marked them, as the army did. A few Beals Navy Revolvers that were altered to cartridge have surfaced; these appear to be part of the lot altered by Remington for the navy in 1875–76. All of these facts suggest that the early deliveries to the navy were Beals models.
Johnston & Dow of New York City manufactured the cartridges that Remington furnished.
The bureau initially accepted the cartridges even though the test report of Queen on September 5 was critical, saying that “the cartridges did not fit the pistol well.”19Later, the Johnston & Dow cartridges proved to be a major embarrassment to Remington.
The bureau forwarded another order to Remington on October 4:
Sir:
Prepare and forward to Fortress Monroe, Va. addressed to Lieut. Commander Phenix, U.S.N.
Fifty-(50)-Revolvers with 120 rounds of ammunition to each.20
Remington received this order on the seventh. They advised Dahlgren that the revolvers had been shipped the following day:
Sir,
We have this day forwarded to the address of Lieut. Commander Phenix, U.S.N., Fortress Monroe, Va.;50 Navy Revolvers and ammunition for the same; agreeable CHAPTER SIX
Figure 77
Elliot Navy Revolver, first variation, serial number 15,867. (Author’s collection)
to your order of4th inst., received yesterday. We enclose herewith, invoice and Express receipt.
If you have occasion to favor us with further orders for the pistols, will you be kind enough to advise us if we should send the same number of percussion caps, as of car-tridges, or an additional number to cover the usual loss or waste in using.21
Capt. Henry A. Wise, Dahlgren’s assistant, sent the following order to Remington on November 4:
Sirs,
Prepare and forward to Fortress Monroe Va. addressed to Lieut. Commander Phenix, U.S.N., and marked “Navy Ordnance”:
One Hundred (100) Revolvers and Fifty Thousand (50,000) Revolver Cartridges.22
The bureau never entered into a formal contract with Remington, but Dahlgren began plac-ing regular revolver orders. Many were delivered to smaller naval stations such as Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and to Cairo or Mound City, Illinois, the latter for arming seamen of the Mississippi Squadron. After Remington’s first delivery, the bureau placed no further revolver orders with Colt for the duration of the war.
On the same day that the previous order was sent, the bureau received the following telegram from Rear Adm. David D. Porter (figure 78), commanding officer of the Mississippi River Squadron:
The American Telegraph Company
Cairo, Ill.
Nov.4 1862 Capt. Dahlgren, Ord. Bureau
Required, two hundred Colt’s Revolvers with ammunition.
D. D. Porter, Rear Admiral Answered Nov.6 Ordered from Remington23
Two days later the bureau relayed the order to Remington:
Sirs,
The Bureau wishes you to send with all dispatch to Rear Admiral D. D. Porter, Cairo Illinois:
Two hundred (200) revolvers with one hundred (100) rounds of ammunition for each Revolver.
Let the boxes be distinctly marked “Navy Ordnance” and certificates of reception by the proper Officer at Cairo must accompany all your bills.24
Remington responded on the tenth:
REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY
Sirs,
We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of the6th inst. with order for 200 Revolvers and100 rounds of ammunition for each Revolver; to be forwarded to Rear Admiral D. D. Porter, Cairo, Illinois.
The Pistols we forward this day. The ammunition for the same will be sent direct from New York.
When we receive the proper certificates from Cairo we will transmit them to you with our account.25
In this reply, I noted that Remington again did not have the cartridges on hand; they, in turn, ordered Johnston & Dow to ship them directly to Cairo. On November 12, the bureau transmitted another order to Remington:
Sirs,
The Bureau desires you to send to the Boston Navy Yard, addressed to Commodore J. S.
The Bureau desires you to send to the Boston Navy Yard, addressed to Commodore J. S.