Rogers and Spencer Army Revolver  --Unfired--

This just came to us from an old Civil War collection. Just a super example of a Civil War martially marked Rogers and Spencer Army Revolver manufactured in Utica, NY and IT APPEARS UNFIRED! The Rogers and Spencer is perhaps one of the best percussion revolvers ever made. Features included a rather stout solid frame with topstrap, six shot cylinder in .44 caliber, and 7-1/2" octagon barrel. Produced in limited quantities from 1863-1865, the US government purchased 5,000 units while 800 were sold on the civilian market. Most, if not all of the gov't purchased Rogers and Spencers were delivered to the Union too late to see wartime service and ended up in arsenal storage for decades. From what I can remember hearing about them, they were eventually sold off as surplus to Bannerman's about 120 years ago. As a result, today most R&S revolvers are found in better than average condition but even for an R&S, this one is exceptionally nice. Overall, the frame and cylinder have 98% of their original blue intact. There is hardly any wear to the blue on the face of the cylinder and even the chamfered outer edge and walls of the chambers show almost all their original blue. See photos. The barrel has flaked a bit more with 80% original blue that is toning brown from age, but not much from wear. This flaking was a natural and common occurrence from the charcoal bluing process. Strong original case colors on the hammer, and loading lever. All matching numbers on the frame, barrel, loading lever, cylinder, and gripstraps. Various US gov't sub-inspector initials are located on the components of this revolver with a strong head inspector's cartouche at the bottom of the left grip. I'm about as good at deciphering the19th century fancy script of gov't Inspector's initials as figuring out a socialite's overly-pretentious monogram but even I can read this one! It reads "RPB" in a rectangular border! That figured out, he was easy to look up in the back of any Dixie Gun Works Catalog thanks to founder Turner Kirkland who made it a point to include a lot of interesting information. RPB was Captain Robert P. Barry who was the inspector on Remington, Starr, and Rogers and Spencer Revolvers from 1860-1865. The American walnut grips are in Excellent condition with lots of raised grain and perfect wood to metal fit. No chips, cracks or repairs...just a little flattening of one bottom edge from laying against a flat surface. Most Rogers and Spencers have sustained numerous chips and damage along the sharp edges of these flared grips over the years. This one has survived in much better shape than most I've encountered. That said, while I would not call this gun MINT, I wouldn't hesitate to Grade it NRA Antique Excellent to Excellent PLUS. For a 150+ year old antique weapon, this level of condition is about as nice as I have found from the Civil War era.

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SOLD