The British military revolver cartridge of the 1870s–1880s, preceding the .455 Webley. Used in Adams and early Webley revolvers during the height of Victorian colonial campaigns — the Zulu War, the Anglo-Afghan Wars, and Egypt.
Type: Pistol
Introduced: 1868, United Kingdom
Parent case: None
Standardization: Obsolete / Non-standard
Bullet diameter: 0.45" (11.43 mm)
Case length: 0.54" (13.72 mm)
Overall length: 0.94" (23.88 mm)
Max pressure: 11,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimmed
Primer: Small Pistol
Typical twist rate: 1:20
Muzzle velocity: 650–750 fps
Muzzle energy: 211–281 ft-lbs
Effective range: 25 yd
Common bullet weights: 225, 227 gr
Primary use: Military, Self-Defense
Production status: Obsolete
Also known as: .450 Revolver · .450 Short · 11.6x14mmR
History: Robert Adams developed his self-cocking revolver in 1851 and the .450 Adams cartridge followed as British forces transitioned from cap-and-ball to metallic cartridge arms in the late 1860s. The cartridge armed British officers through the intensely active colonial period of the 1870s–1880s. The Webley adopted in 1887 and its .455 cartridge superseded the .450 Adams, but many officers continued…
Notable firearms: Adams Mk III Revolver, Webley Mk I (early .450 variants), Tranter Revolver
Military use: {"country":"United Kingdom","years":"1868-1887","notes":"British Army and colonial forces; Adams and Webley revolvers pre-.455"}
Similar cartridges: .455 Webley, .44 S&W Russian, .450 Nitro Express