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DateOriginal Topic
21st May 2002Revolvers used by Lt's Chard and Bromhead
By Robert Keeney
I have found very little and conflicting information as to the exact model revolvers used in the battle. Can anyone point me to a confirmed reference? Thanks.
DateReplies
22nd May 2002John F. Sukey
Whatever Chard and Bromhead used , it certainly was not the revolvers seen in the movie as those were not invented yet.
There are a few options.
Adams, Tranters, or an R.I.C. variant.

I would be inclined to the Adams or the Tranter, as they were quite popular solid frame large calibre models.
22nd May 2002John F. Sukey
Whatever Chard and Bromhead used , it certainly was not the revolvers seen in the movie as those were not invented yet.
There are a few options.
Adams, Tranters, or an R.I.C. variant.

I would be inclined to the Adams or the Tranter, as they were quite popular solid frame large calibre models.
22nd May 2002Alan Critchley
Robert,
in the film 'Zulu', Chard uses a Webley & Scott, Mk. VI 0.455" with a bakelite handle. The one supposedly used at Rorke's Drift was a Webley-Royal Irish Constabulary 0.450".
Alan
22nd May 2002Bill Cainan
Robert

Chard's revolver is in the RE Museum at Chatham.

Bill
23rd May 2002John Young
Bill,

Re-your above reply, yes you're correct in saying there is a revolver belonging to John Chard V.C. at Chatham. However, there is, I believe, no direct evidence to prove this was the one he actually used at Rorke's Drift.

A photograph of the weapon appears on page 72 of in Ian Knight's 'Rorke's Drift 1879 -Pinned like rats in a hole' published 1996 by Osprey in their Campaign Series No. 41.

John Young,
Chairman,
Anglo-Zulu War Research Society.
25th May 2002Julian Whybra
Can I suggest you telephone Beverley Williams Asst Curator at the RE Museum 01634 406397 who is very knowledgeable about the museum's exhibits. She will be able to tell you what they've got and its origin and 'claim to fame'. She's also a Springbok and very keen on the Zulu War itself!
19th July 2002Pat O'Connell
The rervolvers that Chard or Bromhead might have used at Rorke's Drift- my notes show that the fearsome Webley .577 was still in use as well as the 2 & 4 barrelled Lancaster howdah pistols in 577 and 476 calibres. none of the extant photos give much of a clue - except that one can scale the holster size to estimate what was contained within. Although Colt sold many revolvers from the Crimea on, the relatively puny calibres,e.g. .36 cal were not effecrive man-stoppers - hence most officers relied on the heavy, 'proven' calibres to make a statement.
19th July 2002Pat O'Connell
The rervolvers that Chard or Bromhead might have used at Rorke's Drift- my notes show that the fearsome Webley .577 was still in use as well as the 2 & 4 barrelled Lancaster howdah pistols in 577 and 476 calibres. none of the extant photos give much of a clue - except that one can scale the holster size to estimate what was contained within. Although Colt sold many revolvers from the Crimea on, the relatively puny calibres,e.g. .36 cal were not effecrive man-stoppers - hence most officers relied on the heavy, 'proven' calibres to make a statement.