Original U.S. Civil War Pettengill "Self-Cocking" Hammerless Army .44cal Percussion Revolver with Inspection Stamps - Serial 3205

Original Item: Only One Available. These are very rare! C. S. Pettengill of New Haven, CT was granted U.S. Patent 15,388 on July 22, 1856, which was for this "Self-Cocking" design. The design was then improved by Edward A. Raymond and Charles Robotaille of Brooklyn, NY, who were granted U.S. Patent 21,054 on July 27, 1858. Production was then started in 1858 at the Rogers and Spencer production plant, being overseen by HENRY S. ROGERS himself. The first model to be produced were the .31 Caliber Pocket Model and the .34 Caliber Navy Model.

In 1862 Henry S. Rogers of Willow Vale, NY, was granted U.S. Patent 36,861 on November 4, 1862, which was used for the new .44 Caliber Army Model. The U.S. government placed an initial order for 5,000 Units at $ 20.00. per piece, hoping to quickly arm for the Civil War. Unfortunately the Army testing facility found that the powder fouling was so severe that they wanted to cancel the entire order. In fact a compromise was reached with the order being cut to 3,400 units only. By the end of 1863 all of the .44 caliber Army Revolvers had been replaced with Colt 1860 Revolvers.

Here we have a typical .44 cal Army model revolver, only the third that we have ever had, marked with serial number serial number 3205 on the cylinder, on the inside of the trigger guard, and the bottom of the grip frame. This appears to be one of the last delivered to the Army, being #3205 of 3,400, which would production right in early 1863. The revolver features the standard internal hammer and a cylinder in .44 caliber with 6 shots. The octagonal barrel is 7 1/2" long and the gun is 14" in overall length. We checked the grip scales, and the left scale is matching, stamped with 3205, while the right scale is stamped with 2938, and has had the bottom third replaced with a wood graft repair.

The top cylinder strap is marked:

PETTENGILLS
PATENT 1856

While the bottom is marked:

RAYMOND & ROBITALLE
PATENTED 1858

Additionally, the left side of the barrel and frame near the barrel joint are marked with inspection stamp W P, for ordnance inspector William Page, who worked in 1863 only.

The revolver displays an overall worn gray mottled patina, showing some areas of past peppering, now cleaned away. The cylinder shows past powder burn that has now been cleaned away, giving it a matte look. This is definitely a revolver that looks to have seen a good amount of service, and it has been fully restored by our antique gunsmiths to put it in its best light. The grips show the expected wear from use, and not longer show any cartouches. As mentioned before, the right grip scale has had the bottom 1/3 replaced.

Functionally, the revolver cycles very well, with no rebounding of the cylinder after the trigger is released. The design does not really have a cylinder lock, instead using a leaf spring to prevent the cylinder from rotating in reverse. Due to this the cylinder can be revolved at any time when the trigger is not depressed to aid with loading. Removing the arbor pin retaining screw allows the arbor pin / rammer to be removed, and the cylinder to be taken out for reloading, though it definitely takes some wiggling.

We checked the cap nipples, and they are all clear and in very good shape, showing light to moderate use, with some powder burn and oxidation on the exterior. The bore is in very good condition, and looks to have seen only light use. It has a partly bright finish with crisp lands and grooves, and just some light overall oxidation and past fouling. There are no major spots of oxidation or pitting present.

In Full working Order and in very good condition, this was the ONLY Hammerless design available during the Civil War. Only the third example we have ever had, ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1863
Caliber: .44cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 14 inches
Action: Double Action Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.