Guns International #: 102187155
Seller's Inventory #: 226076

Category - Civil War Revolvers - Antique Revolvers - Percussion

Category
Civil War Revolvers
Antique Revolvers - Percussion

CIVIL WAR Antique SAVAGE .36 Cal. NAVY Perc REVOLVER to Shotgun Conversion Unique Early 1860s Two-Trigger Revolver Conversion

Description:
CIVIL WAR Antique SAVAGE .36 Cal. NAVY Perc  REVOLVER to Shotgun Conversion

Unique Early 1860s Two-Trigger Revolver Conversion

Here we present an antique Savage Revolving Fire Arms Navy Model Percussion Revolver to Shotgun Conversion, originally made circa 1862 in Middletown, Connecticut with a production run between 1961 and 1865. This was converted to a revolving smoothbore shotgun in the period of use—almost certainly in the post-Civil War period. The original octagonal barrel was used and brazed to a long extension. The grip frame and grips were altered to a stock as you now see it. There was also a forearm attached with the very front carved into an animal’s head.

Only about 20,000 of these Savage revolvers were ever produced, most of them for U.S. government contracts for both the Army and the Navy. Ironically, about 800 were purchased and delivered to the Navy, while about 11,000 were delivered to cavalry units in the militias and the Army. The rest of the production was sold commercially and smuggled to the Confederacy when further U.S. government contracts were not forthcoming. Known Confederate Cavalry units to have used these were: the 7th, 34th & 35th Virginia, 11th Texas and 7th Missouri Cavalries. Known Northern units were the 5th Kansas, 7th New York, 1st & 2nd Wisconsin.
This was one of the most unique revolvers of the American Civil War, both in function and in form. Some in the field consider these to be “ugly” guns, and you may commonly see them referred to as the “Ugly Duckling”. Regardless, the thoughtfulness of design made this a feature packed revolver that gave it a good shot at government contracts, in spite of it being a bit more expensive.

The most visually distinguishing characteristics of the Savage Navy Revolver are the double ring trigger and trigger guard, as well as the sleek profile with the low bore axis and solid frame. The low bore axis made for less muzzle flip when fired, making follow up shots faster and pointing more natural. The solid frame was an improvement in durability over open top frame designs. Remington and Whitney both featured this improvement, while Colts clung to the open top frame (and no wonder, since they were selling them as fast as they could make them during the war). The ring trigger on the bottom causes the hammer to cock and the cylinder assembly to retract in the frame and revolve. By the same token, once the cocking lever was released, the cylinder would go to rest with the end of the chamber against the back of the barrel, making a better gas seal than most. The blade trigger above the ring trigger simply causes the hammer to drop through a hole in the top of the frame. Unlike most other percussion revolvers of the day, the Savage percussion nipples face out from the cylinder and are canted back. This was more easily accessible, and less apt to cause a jam in the action if a cap were to fall off.

The overall condition is good. Weathered steel surfaces. The action is functional. The bore is smooth and dim. The barrel moves slight at the junction with the frame. The stock shows age and much use and remains solid. A one-of-a-kind!

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 32-3/8 inches.

Caliber: .36 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$2650

#226076
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes