Freeman Army Revolver
Hoard's Armory · Revolver · Discontinued · 1863
Also known as: Hoard's Armory Freeman Army Model, Freeman's Patent Army Revolver
Overview
The Freeman Army Revolver is a .44 caliber, six-shot single-action cap-and-ball percussion revolver designed by Austin T. Freeman and manufactured by Hoard's Armory of Watertown, New York during the American Civil War. Its distinguishing feature is a quick-change cylinder: a sliding latch on the right side of the solid frame released the cylinder and base pin as a single unit, simplifying reloading and cleaning. Roughly 2,000 were produced between 1863 and 1864 on a round 7.5-inch barrel with a solid frame, blued finish, and color-casehardened hammer and loading lever.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1250 g (44.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 330 mm (12.99") |
| Barrel Length | 191 mm (7.52") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 382 J (282 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .44 Caliber Percussion · primary — also known as .44 Black Powder, .44 Percussion
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Hammer Safety Notches
- Features: Solid Frame, Quick Change Cylinder, Round Barrel, Color Casehardened Hammer And Loading Lever, Two Piece Walnut Grips
Service history
Operators
- Union state and private purchasers · adopted 1863
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 2,000 · Production years: 1863-1864
Approximately 2,000 produced by Hoard's Armory; no Federal contracts despite an initially considered order of up to 5,000.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Austin T. Freeman
Discontinued: 1864
Notes
Patented December 9, 1862. Though the Ordnance Department initially considered an order of up to 5,000, no Federal contracts were awarded; the revolvers reached service through state and private purchases. Surviving examples are scarce.
Background
Marked 'FREEMAN'S PAT. DECR 9. 1862' and 'HOARD'S ARMORY, WATERTOWN, N.Y', the Freeman was one of several solid-frame Civil War percussion revolvers whose removable cylinder design anticipated faster reloading methods, though it never won the government contracts that sustained Colt and Remington.