Guns International #: 101484857
Seller's Inventory #: BP20-67
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Guns International #: 101484857
Category - Antique Revolvers - Percussion
- Civil War Revolvers
Seller's Information
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Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Member Since: 4/27/15
State:
Kentucky
Zip: 40503
Country: United States
Phone: (859) 276-1419
Fax: (859) 278-0838
Platinum Seller
Active Listings: 191
Total Listings: 14880
Seller Type:FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Payment Methods: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check
Spectacular 1858 Allen & Wheelock .32 Cal. Sidehammer Belt Revolver SERIAL # 3!!!
**100% Original Super Rare Early Type** SOLD
Description: The .32 caliber cap & ball Sidehammer Belt Revolver by Allen & Wheelock was manufactured between 1858 and 1861. This medium frame revolver came from the factory with a blued and case hardened finish and was offered with an octagon barrel between 3" and 7.5" inches. This extremely well-made revolver featured a side-mounted hammer, a 5-shot cylinder with a beatiful forest and game scene, a hinged triggerguard that also functioned as a loading ram, a rear mounted cylinder pin, and smooth American Walnut grips. Unlike most revolver designs the Allen & Wheelock uses a keyed rotating plate at the rear of the frame to turn the cylinder, and the offset hammer mounted high and to the right of the centerline leaves a clear sighting channel. This is an amazingly well-made gun, much better quality than any other revolver of similar size from the period. The cylinder is easily and quickly removed by unscrewing the knurled and slotted cylinder pin at the rear and rotating the cylinder to where the key is level to the right or left to slide the cylinder out either side of the frame. The fit of the cylinder is amazing, with the smallest of gaps between the rear of the cylinder and rotating plate as well as the front of the cylinder and forcing cone. To think that this was designed and built in 1858 is amazing. Today the collecting world recognizes two distinct "types" of this model, an early production model and standard production model. The early production model is identified by the friction-type of catch on the triggerguard/loading ram, while the standard type has a spring-loaded catch. The early production model is extremely rare, with less than 100 produced before the firm started building the "standard" model, of which there were between 750 and 1000 made. This particular example is not only one of the rare early type guns, it is serial number 3! This was likely made on the very first day of production. It is a beautiful specimen, completely original, totally un-messed with, and in perfect functioning condition. While most of the original finish has turned to a brown blue patina, there are still traces of bright blue finish in the protected areas. All of the factory stampings are visible and legible on the gun, and the original cylinder scene is perfect with all of the trees and animals crisp and clear. The cylinder scene is in better condition than any other example we were able to find online or in reference books. The cylinder scene is composed of trees, a buck deer, a doe deer, a wolf or fox, a hound, and a grouse. You will also notice how clean the screw heads are in this Sidehammer Belt Revolver, while some show a little evidence of being turned they are all in very good to excellent condition. The bore in this Allen & Wheelock is EXCELLENT. It is mirror-bright and clean throughout with zero pitting or imperfections. The rifling still shows sharp lands and grooves the entire length of the 6" inch octagon barrel, and the original brass front sight blade is intact and in great shape. The 5 chambers of the cylinder are equally as pristine and clean, and all of the nipples are in excellent condition with clear channels into the chambers. It is certainly possible that this revolver is unfired, or at most fired a few times in it's entire life. As mentioned earlier, this Allen & Wheelock is totally original, and as such all of the major parts are stamped with the serial number "3", including the cylinder pin and both grips. The original grips on this pistol are beautiful and in excellent condition overall. Both grips still have 90% of the original varnish on them and are completely free from any cracks or repairs. They are fit to the gun perfectly, they are both tight to the frame with no wiggle, and they both show only minor handling marks consistent with the rest of the gun. As mentioned before, this Allen & Wheelock is in perfect functioning condition and will fire just as reliably today as the day it left the factory 162 years ago! The action is perfectly "in time", it locks up tight, and the hammer still has both the half and full-cock notches intact. The swinging triggerguard loading lever is in perfect working order and it locks up tightly into the ready to fire position. The friction latch is nice and tight. All in all, this has to be one of the nicest examples in existence of this very rare antique American-made revolver. This first-day-production 1858 vintage Allen & Wheelock Sidehammer Belt pistol is truly a centerpiece-type addition to any collection, and should prove to be a superb long-term investment. SOLD Antique: Yes Manufacturer: Allen & Wheelock Model: Sidehammer Belt Revolver Serial Number: 3 Barrel Length: 6" Inches Caliber Info: .32 Cap & Ball Condition: Very Good Bore Condition: Excellent Barrel Type: Octagon Action: Single Action Revolver Manufacture Date: 1858 |
Guns International #: 101484857
Seller's Inventory #: BP20-67
Guns International #: 101484857
Seller's Inventory #: BP20-67