Original U.S. Civil War Era Whitney New Model "Root" .28cal Pocket Percussion Revolver with 3 1/2" Barrel - Serial 1962 - Highest Recorded Serial

Original Item: Only One Available. Here is a very nice .28 caliber percussion revolver with a flat six shot cylinder made by the famous Eli Whitney company in New Haven, Connecticut. Designated the "New Model Pocket Revolver", often referred to as the "Root" Model, this was the last percussion revolver that Whitney would design, and it was produced from approximately 1860 to 1867. It was designed to complete with the Colt Model 1855 "Root" Model, however it was unfortunately not successful, with Flayderman estimating that only about 2,000 were produced. Still, these revolvers were moderately popular with Union Officers, who purchased these as a personal second revolver to take into battle. They were easily concealed and most effective, giving the officer an additional 6 shots when needed.

In very good service used condition, this Whitney New Model Pocket sidearm has the 6-shot unrebated cylinder, which does not have any safety slots on the rear like previous pocket models. In a smaller .28 caliber, it is 7 3/4 inches in overall length, mated to a 3 1/2 inch long octagonal barrel, and has the standard Whitney style "ball bearing" catch on the end of the loading lever. The revolver has serial number 1962 on the bottom of the barrel under the loading rammer, on the left side of the grip frame after an "M" prefix, and on the inside of both grip scales. We did not attempt to remove the cylinder, as it appears that the frame would need to be completely taken apart to accomplish that. We were unfortunately not able to find any real serial number records, and per records, as of Spring 2020, the highest known serial number was 1931, so this revolver will apparently require some books to be revised!

The top of the barrel still has the correct original Whitney address marking:

E. WHITNEY
N. HAVEN

Overall the revolver looks great, with a lovely aged polished matte patina overall, showing some light past peppering in areas. There are however still some traces of the original cylinder scene, though we cannot make out a lot of the designs. The original grip scales are in lovely condition, with great grain, and still retain a good amount of the original "piano varnish" finish. The action does function, though the springs are weak, and it also does not have a functional cylinder lock, so it is not able to properly index. The bore is in very good condition, showing the 5 groove rifling clearly, with a mostly bright finish. There is however overall fouling and past oxidation, as one would expect from a revolver that saw this much use.

A great Post Civil War Private Purchase secondary revolver that probably a good amount of use during the Indian Wars era, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1867
Caliber: .28cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 3 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 7 3/4 inches
Action: Single Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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