SCARCE CIVIL WAR Antique Rogers, Spencer & Co. PETTENGILL .44 ARMY Revolver ISSUED TO MI, MO, AR, IL, KY CAVALRIES

Description:
SCARCE CIVIL WAR Antique Rogers, Spencer & Co. PETTENGILL .44 ARMY Revolver

ISSUED TO MI, MO, AR, IL, KY CAVALRIES

Here Ancestry Guns presents an antique Civil War Raymond & Robitaille C.S. Pettengill Double Action Percussion Army Revolver, made circa the early 1860s, by Rogers, Spencer & Co. in Willow Vale, NY. The first few hundred Pettengills were produced for the U.S. Navy which saw a total production run of only 900 guns. Only about 3,300 were made of the .44 caliber “Army” models, as is this example. The design was a double action hammerless percussion mechanism initially developed by C.S. Pettengill in the 1850s. In 1856, he was granted a patent for it. By 1857, Samuel Colt’s patents regarding the firing mechanism were expiring and Pettengill’s initial design was improved by Edward A. Raymond and Charles Robitaille, for which they received a patent in 1858. The final improvements were made and patented in 1862 by Henry S. Rogers, partner in the firm Rogers, Spencer & Co. It was Rogers and his company which produced the Pettengill Revolver.

The double action trigger accomplished three things: 1) it revolved the cylinder, 2) dropped the hammer and 3) cocked the hammer again for the next shot. The concept of the Pettengill revolver was well-received, especially as a cavalry weapon, and an order was made of 5,000 by the U.S. Ordnance Department. However, the pistol was trialed in June of 1862, and it failed. The bugs were worked out, but the government cut their contract down to only 2,000 pieces. The contract was fulfilled at the end of 1862.
Per Flayderman regarding the “Army” model, “The 3rd Michigan Cavalry were issued 500 of them. Other mounted outfits issued lesser amounts were the 3rd and 5th Missouri Militia; 1st Arkansas; 3rd Illinois; 3rd Kentucky.” Unfortunately, this was the end of production for the Pettengill. Rogers, Spencer & Co. would go on to purchase the patent for a single action revolver from Austin T. Freeman, quite similar to the Remington Army, and sell 5,000 of them to the government in 1865.

The overall condition is good. Original dark brown patina. The action is strong. Darkened bore contains serviceable rifling. Both grips contain an average amount of wear and remain good. Legible markings. Replacement front sight bead.

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

Barrel is 7-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .44 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

$3800

#259615
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $3,800.00
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