Hi,
- In Confederate Handguns by Albaugh, Benet and Simmons on page 220 "According to Colonel William Couper, page 50, "One Hundred Years of the VMI," 999 Deane and Adams revolvers were purchased by the state of Virginia and received January 21, 1861". Page 217 says "On January 21, 1861, the Virginia State Ordnance Department received 999 "new Adams revolvers" made at the London Armoury Company to equip its State Troops (Virginia Calendar of State Papers.) About a dozen years ago I stopped at the Library of Virginia & looked it up in the Virginia Calendar of Papers, found the reference and believe I made a copy - Ill try to find it.
- Does your Mass Adams have any inspection marks, cartouches etc? That would indicate it was one of the Federal purchase Adams delivered in 1858 according to John MaCauley's Civil War Pistol book.
Sincerely PD