Bentley Transitional Revolver
Joseph Bentley · Revolver · Discontinued · 1852
Also known as: Webley-Bentley Revolver, Bentley Self-Cocking Revolver, Bentley 54-Bore Revolver
Overview
The Bentley Transitional Revolver is a mid-19th-century British double-action percussion revolver designed and built by Birmingham pistol maker Joseph Bentley. Built on a solid cast-iron frame with an open-top octagonal barrel and a spurless self-cocking hammer, the five-shot cap-and-ball revolver bridged the gap between early pepperbox pistols and the later solid-frame cartridge revolvers. It featured Bentley's patented hammer-nose safety and a Colt-style loading lever, and in .44 (54-bore) form it roughly equalled the ballistics of the American .44 Army revolvers. Genuine Bentley-made examples are scarce, with fewer than about 850 believed produced, and the design was widely copied by cheaper Birmingham and Liege makers.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1100 g (38.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 330 mm (12.99") |
| Barrel Length | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Double Action Only |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 270 m/s (886 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 340 J (251 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 30 m (33 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 14 |
| Frame Material | Iron |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .44 Caliber Percussion · primary — also known as .44 cal, 54-bore, .443 ball, .44 ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Percussion Cap And Ball
- Safety mechanisms: Patented Hammer Nose Safety, Half Cock Loading Catch
- Features: Solid Cast Iron Frame, Open Top, Octagonal Barrel, Spurless Self Cocking Hammer, Five Shot Cylinder, Patented Colt Style Loading Lever, Double Action Only
Production
Estimated total produced: 850 · Production years: 1852-1865
Extant Joseph Bentley examples fall in the 1-850 serial range; the type was widely imitated by other British and Continental gunmakers.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Joseph Bentley
Discontinued: 1865
Notes
Serial numbers run from roughly 1 to 850, with an 'A' prefix appearing near serial 200. Bentley held British patents No. 960/1852 for the revolver and No. 768/1854 for its improved loading lever. Also offered in smaller bores such as .36 and .40.
Background
Marketed as an affordable British service-style revolver during the 1850s, the Bentley became a popular civilian and export handgun. Retailer-marked examples sold through New Orleans and Liverpool dealers reached the American South, and a number saw use during the American Civil War.