The Model 1860 Colt Army was the Mainstay of the Union Army. The standard issue of the Officers in the Infantry they remain highly sought after by collectors. This example is Martially marked with US inspector marks and Cartouches on the grips. These were .44 Cal. percussion fired weapons
Model 1860 Colt Revolver
The Smith and Wesson Model #2 Old Model Revolver was a very popular Civil War sidearm. They were produced in .32 Caliber rimfire. This piece with the Mother of Pearl grips was probably a private purchase by a well to do soldier.
Smith and Wesson Model 2
The Mass. Arms Company Maynard Primed revolvers introduced an important innovation in firearm mechanics. Dr Edward Maynard devised a mechanism that allowed the primers to be layed out in a metalic tape that would be fed up to the firing position as the trigger was pulled. This allowed the user to skip the step of placing primers over the nipples. These tapes were also waterproof which allowed for use in the rain. John Brown ordered 200 of the 1000 total manufacture of these for use in his abolitionist army. These .32 Cal. Belt Model Revolvers are known as the John Brown Model.
Mass. Arms Co Maynard primed revolver
Lefaucheux pin fired revolver
French gunmakers Casimer Lefaucheux and his son Eugene were responsible for another advancement in firearms technology. This pin fire revolver utilized a metalic casing with a pin protruding from the base. (see insert below). The hammer would strike the pin igniting the charge in the shell. Many French and Belgium gunmakers copied this design. These were used by both sides during the Civil War and to avoid retribution from the US government many did not have manufacturers names in case they didnt get past the blockades.
Henry Aston and Ira Johnson of Middlebury Conn. manufactured these single shot percussion sidearms from 1845 to 1852. This example is martially marked with a cartouche on the left side of the stock. It has US/GW/P on the barrell and a 1950 manufacture date. Many of these were in arsenals at the onset of the Civil War and were carried into the field in the early part of the war.
Aston percussion pistol
Although these smaller caliber Colt revolvers were never part of a general issue by the Union, they remained very popular with many officers. Many were obtained via private purchase. Most notably by General George Armstrong Custer who can be observed with a pair of these in many photos.
Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver .36 Cal.
Belgium Boarding Pistol
This unmarked boarding pistol is identifable by the figure eight scroll marking on the underside of the forestock and the crown and initials DN behind the hammer. These were called boarding pistols because they were usually associated with Naval use. Note the lack of a loading ramrod. This was it was believed that as men were attaching and boarding another boat at sea they would only have time to fire one shot and then the fighting would be hand to hand. These weapons were generally ineffective at long distance. The hanger ring at the buttplate was to hang the weapon from a lanyard. The piece has 1799 carved into the stock which would put it in the war of 1812 era.
This is the Allen and Thurber 6 shot version manufactured in Worchester, Ma. between 1847 and 1860. It has the separately attached nipple guard which is hand engraved.
Allen and Thurber Pepperbox Pistol
Allen and Wheelock Standard model sidehammer revolver manufactured in Worcester, Ma. between Jan 13, 1857 to Sept. 7, 1858. Flaydermans says approximately 1000 each in .28 and .31 Cal.
Allen and Wheelock side hammer revolver
These Starr revolvers were the first double action revolver made. They were very popular with cavalry units and this martially marked example was issued to the 7th Michigan Cavalry which was George Armstrong Custers unit.
STARR DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER
The Smith and Wesson Model No. 1 was the first of the long line of metallic cartridge revolvers that led to todays modern versions. This 3rd issue was manufactured between 1868 and 1881. Ejection was achieved by pivoting the barrel up and removing the cylinder. They were 7 shot with fluted cylinders.
Smith and Wesson Model 1 Third Issue .22 Cal.
The Model No. 1 Smith and Wesson 22 Cal. revolver was a seven shot revolver manufactured between 1860 and 1868. Note the non-fluted cylinder and the square butt compared with the 3rd issue.
Smith and Wesson Model No. 1 Second Issue .22 Cal.
Here we have the .32 Cal Smith and Wesson Model 1 1/2 single action revolver. Also known as the .32 Single Action this example has the hard rubber checkered grips and the nickel plated finish. Manufactured between 1878 and 1892 it was a post civil war variation of the .22 Cal. models shown above. Probably more widely used during the Indian Wars it shares the top break action of the earlier guns.
Smith and Wesson Model 1 1/2 Single Action .32 Cal.
Post Civil War Colt Navy with holster. In .36 Cal. the serial number places this revolver just out of the civil war era being issued around 1866.
Model 1851 Colt Navy Revolver
Model 1860 Colt Army revolver with belt revolver conversion. Many officer took their issued standard revolvers to local gun shops to have these shorter sawed off barrels installed so they could carry it in their belts more easily. Gunsmiths would simple replace the longer barrel with one they had in stock and keep the removed one to cut down for the next customer. This is why few of these conversions have matching serial numbers on the barrel. This example belonged to Capt. Samuel Gault of the 38th Mass. Inf. who was KIA in 1863 at Bisland, La.