Percussion Revolver c. 1852 - 1870

This percussion revolver, 30 centimeters in length with a calibre of 11mm, was made by A. Francotte. Weapons, like all artifacts, reflect the society in which they were produced and used, so we need to consider what role these objects played in the world. Firearms represent a distinct turning point in modern history. Before them, combat and conflict were regulated by physical strength and proximity. The development and relatively widespread distribution of weapons such as this one democratized the application of deadly force. Its adoption by police forces, armies, and private citizens shifted the balance of power and altered the course of countless lives. When we analyze objects such as this, we can examine how technological innovation interacts with changing social conditions. By consulting sources, archives, and period documents, the historian seeks to understand the forces that shaped the world around us and to discover the role played by objects such as this percussion revolver.