Original Item: Only One Available. Here is a very nice service used .31 caliber percussion revolver with a fluted five shot cylinder made by the famous Eli Whitney company in New Haven, Connecticut. Designated the Whitney Pocket Model Revolver, this type revolver is a 31 caliber sidearm of which a total of 32,500 such handguns were produced at the Whitneyville Armory manufacturing center in the Whitneyville section of New Haven, Connecticut from 1859 through the early 1860s. These revolvers were great favorites 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 5 shots when needed.

In good condition, this Second Model, 3rd Type Whitney sidearm has the correct three-screw model frame with a 5-shot unrebated cylinder, which has 5 safety slots on the rear. It is 9 inches in overall length, mated to a 4” long octagonal barrel and has a "Colt-type" latch on the loading lever, which replaced the earlier ball bearing type. The serial number range for 3rd type revolvers is about 13,000 to 15,000, so this example was produced close to the end of the 3rd type.

The revolver has matching serial number 14597 on the bottom of the barrel, on the rear of the cylinder, on the loading rammer, and on the inside of both grip scales. There is also sub-inspector marking O on the bottom of the barrel by the serial number, on the left side of the frame, on the rear of the cylinder, and on the loading rammer as well. As best we can tell, this is a very nice "ALL MATCHING" example, with no parts swapped out over the years.

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 patina overall, showing some light 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 show wear from service, as well as some discoloration from staining, however most of the original "piano varnish" finish is still present. There is wear and chipping at the bottom, pretty standard for this grip design.

The action works quite nicely, with a good cylinder lock up and a crisp dry fire. It indexes well and holds half cock and full cock. It does sometimes not quite advance the cylinder enough, but we only noticed about 1 out of 10 times we cycled it. The bore is in very good condition, showing the 4 groove rifling clearly, with a mostly bright finish. There is just a bit of fouling and oxidation in the grooves, which is really great for a Civil War era percussion revolver.

A great Civil War Private Purchase secondary revolver that saw moderate service during the war, "All Matching" and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1859
Caliber:  .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 9 inches
Action: Single Only
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

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