Oil finished walnut stock, with one "U" marked barrel band, "MM" inspection marks on the left side near the sling ring and top of comb, script "MM" cartouche on the left stock. WINDSOR, VT" ahead of the lock and "1865" behind. Casehardened lock and hammer, the former marked "U.S. Blade front and two leaf folding rear sights, with "MM" inspection stamp next to the sight and "Wm PALMER/PATENT/DEC. The Ordnance Department purchased 1,001 Palmer carbines late in the Civil War the carbines were delivered in June 1865. Lamson & Co., of Windsor, Vermont, is significant as the first metallic cartridge, bolt-action weapon accepted by the Ordnance Department for issue to the U.S. Overall a very nice looking Colt and a scarce model in good mechanical order and competitively priced. As can be seen from the photograph there is a clear inspectors mark on the trigger guard. These things were lost and people replace them and this wedge has come from another Navy of that era.
#.577 tranter serial numbers
Serial numbers match on everything except the wedge but this is no real problem because it has a serial number contemporary to the revolver which means it is not a modern reproduction. Loading lever works fine and the Colt Legend is readable on the top of the barrel as is the patent no on the cylinder and there is some cylinder scene. Screw heads are not buggered and the overall finish is a low pleasing "plum" patina. The grips are good with no cracks or wood missing and a high level of original varnish left and no one has used this as a hammer which is very common and the first thing to look for when excessive wear is possible.
These wear firstĪnd are the first things to look for when considering condition as they are virtually impossible to replace so if they are flat, even if the gun looks decent it has had considerable use. The safety stops are little pins that protrude from the cylinder which you rest the hammer on between the caps when you are carrying it.
#.577 tranter plus
This particular revolver has the safety stops left which is a big plus when considering Colt's. This revolver would be suitable for adding to a FAC subject to inspection by a qualified gunsmith and proofing. The bore on this revolver is excellent and the revolver indexes, cocks and locks tightly. This revolver is an extremely good looking example as there are no major "dinks" or scratches and the grips are excellent. In broad terms the 1851 outnumbers the 1861 by 10 to 1 and the survival rate of 1861's is reckoned at less than 3% so there are probably only around 1000 extant. The Colt Navy 1861 is pretty rare compared to the 1851 Navy. I've looked at literally hundreds of Colt's and it would appear that Overall this is a great looking revolver and better than most. These revolvers are favoured today by black powder shooters for the superb grips and excellent mechanics. Rotates, cocks and locks and the bore is excellent. This particular Rogers & Spencer has a high degree of original finish left and considerable original varnish on the grips. The Rogers & Spencer is an improved Freeman, with a less severe grip style, a heavier frame and a stronger octagon barrel of identical 7 1/2" length. 44 caliber pistol with a round 7 1/2" barrel, of which 2,000 are believed to have been produced in 1863-64, and in appearance the Freeman resembles a Starr Revolver. The Freeman Army Model Revolver was a solid frame. 44 caliber, and only about 3,400 were produced in the early 1860's.
34 caliber, of which less than 1,000 were produced. The Pettingills were ahead of their time, being designed as hammerless pistols, which were popular in the last decade of the 19th Century, but certainly too avant garde for Army purchasers. The Pettingills were produced in the late 1850's and early 1860's, and were double action revolvers. The Rogers and Spencer Army Model Revolver was actually an improvement of earlier pistols produced by the firm - the Pettingill and Freeman revolvers.
Many original Rogers & Spencer revolvers are seen today in excellent condition as is this one. Bannerman then sold the pistols throughout the first quarter of the 20th Century. Delivery on the contract was made too late for war service, and the entire lot was sold as scrap to Francis Bannerman and Son in 1901. In January 1865, the United States government contracted with Rogers & Spencer for 5,000 of the solid frame pistols. The Rogers & Spencer Percussion Revolver was originally manufactured in Willowvale, NY about 1863-65.