Revolvers are arguably the first mass-produced handgun platform that has survived to the modern era. In fact, the concept of a firearm utilizing a rotating cylinder loaded with a powder-driven projectile dates back at least as far as the early 1700s. While there have obviously been numerous improvements since that time, a modern, high-quality Ruger 357 revolver operates on the same basic principle as revolvers made 200 years ago. However, that shouldn’t fool anyone into thinking that there is little distinctiveness among modern revolver choices. There are some positively exceptional examples worth considering, and here are just a few.
LeMat Revolver
The LeMat Revolver is the brainchild of New Orleans’ Dr. Jean Alexandre LeMat in the mid-19th century. It was originally intended as a sidearm for dragoons and cavalry soldiers for the U.S. Army until the outbreak of the Civil War when LeMat began marketing his handgun to the Confederacy. Around 2,500 of these fearsome revolvers entered service with Confederate soldiers and officers. The LeMat is especially unique because it features nine cylinders of 36 or 42 caliber bullets, plus a smooth-bore 20-gauge shotgun barrel mounted beneath the primary barrel. While this combination of bullets and buckshot wasn’t ideal for longer-range fighting, it was certainly formidable at close range.
The Judge Pistol
The concept of a revolver that featured shotgun functionality has survived to modern times. Probably the most well-known example of this dynamic firearm is the Taurus Judge pistol. The Judge pistol got its current name when Taurus executives learned that the revolvers were popular with judges in and around Miami. This large, unique revolver is chambered for 45 Colt, 45 Schofield, and 410 bore shotgun shells. There is even a Raging Judge Magnum edition of the popular handgun that can handle the hulking 454 Casull cartridge. It just goes to prove that unique revolver ideas have some impressive staying power.
Dardick Revolver
The Dardick revolver is, by far, one of the most unexpected handgun concepts to have been manufactured. It is also very likely the only example of a magazine-fed revolver you’ll ever encounter. And that is only one of its exceptional idiosyncrasies. Not to mention that it qualifies as one of the strangest looking revolvers, or firearms in general for that matter, ever made. The pistol was built around the concept of a triangular round or “tround” because they take up less space than traditional rounds. While it was an interesting idea, this odd magazine-fed revolver was a commercial failure. However, its resulting scarcity makes it a sought-after collector’s item.
Ruger Vaquero
The Ruger Vaquero is more interesting than it is bizarre or unorthodox. Essentially, the Ruger Vaquero has managed to recreate the esthetic and intuitive ergonomics of the classic wild west six-shooter with some modern touches. While the Vaquero would look entirely at home in 19th century Deadwood, SD or Tombstone, AZ, features like Ruger’s patented reverse indexing pawl would not have been familiar. The pawl makes for much easier loading and unloading, while the cylinder’s traditional beveling simplifies holstering.
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