Guns International #: 102695528
Seller's Inventory #: 240277
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Guns International #: 102695528
Category - Civil War Revolvers
- Antique Revolvers - Cartridge
RARE CIVIL WAR Antique ALLEN & WHEELOCK Center Hammer LIPFIRE NAVY Revolver 1 of 250 .36 Cal. LIPFIRE Revolvers Made circa 1861
Description: RARE CIVIL WAR Antique ALLEN & WHEELOCK Center Hammer LIPFIRE NAVY Revolver 1 of 250 .36 Cal. LIPFIRE Revolvers Made circa 1861 Here we present a very rare antique Allen & Wheelock Center Hammer Navy Lipfire Revolver, made circa 1861 in Worcester, Massachusetts, at the start of the American Civil War. This is a very scarce secondary U.S. martial percussion revolver. The Center Hammer series of percussion revolvers (including the .44 Army, the .36 Navy and the “Providence Police”), were manufactured during the early days of the American Civil War, after Allen was forced to stop producing their Center Hammer Lipfire revolvers, due to their infringement on the Smith & Wesson / Rollin White “bored through cylinder” patent. According to Flayderman, these revolvers only had a production of about 250 pieces till Allen & Wheelock ran into the Rollins White patent infringement. They were for the most part converted to percussion to resolve the problem. Of those 250 Lipfires manufactured, many were converted, so finding an original revolver still in Lipfire are few and far between. Allen & Wheelock manufactured a total of approximately 700 of these Center Hammer revolvers with the first 250 being Lipfire. Of these 700, the Ordnance Department purchased 536 of these revolvers in 1861. Nearly all those guns were subsequently issued to the 2nd & 3rd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry regiments. As these revolvers were purchased on the open market, they were not marked with any U.S. military sub-inspection or final inspection marks (including cartouches), as are found on the guns acquired via official Ordnance Department contracts. Surviving examples are rare. This Allen & Wheelock Navy Revolver is a .36 caliber, six-shot, Lipfire single action revolver that had a 5” octagon barrel that utilized a unique ratcheting loading lever that formed the trigger guard of the revolver. The frames, cylinders and barrels of the revolvers were blued with the hammers and the combination loading lever and trigger guards color casehardened. The grips were smooth two-piece walnut that were usually varnished but appear to have been oil finished on some examples. Despite the relatively small number produced, the revolvers were manufactured in three distinct variants, which are mentioned above. A fine 'custom' nickel Army with extensive engraving by Gustav Young and hand-carved ivory grips is thought to have been the personal weapon of Ethan Allen. The overall condition is good. Gray patina throughout. Side plate has a bit of thin cold blue. The action is strong. Cylinder timing ever so slightly slow. The bore is in good condition with some spotting and generally sharp rifling. Grips show use and remain solid. Here is a very RARE revolver from one of the 19th Century’s most prolific makers! Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction. Barrel is 5 inches. Caliber: .36 Lipfire Overall condition as seen in photos. Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail! Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY. ancestryguns $1600 #240277 Price: $1,600.00 Buy Now Antique: Yes Contact Seller |
Guns International #: 102695528
Seller's Inventory #: 240277
Guns International #: 102695528
Seller's Inventory #: 240277