Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice .32cal Rimfire pocket revolver, made by the Bacon Arms Company under the name CONQUEROR, as marked on the cylinder frame top strap. The pistol is fully nickel plated, and still retains that finish very well, and is fitted with a very nice set of hardwood grips, which could be walnut or maybe rosewood.

Thomas K. Bacon was a very ingenious gunmaker in the mid 19th century, though sadly he never never achieved the level of success that his designs warranted before his death in 1873. He associated with several different New England gunmaking firms, including Ethan Allen, Allen and Thurber, and three other which bore his name. One company would later become the Hopkins & Allen company. Originally a manufacturer of single-shot, underhammer, and pepperbox pistols, Bacon later turned to the production of small cartridge revolvers. Unfortunately at the time Smith & Wesson still held rights to the Rollin White patent for a bored through cylinder, which resulted in lawsuits and royalties that resulted in one company shutting down.

Bacon Arms Company was the last company he founded that bore his name, and while it enjoyed some success, it closed and Bacon sold the assets of his new business in December of 1865. After this Bacon worked at various firms in the New England firearms industry until his death in 1873. Following his death, the tooling and machinery was revived, as was the Bacon Arms Company, which continued manufacturing spur-trigger revolvers after Bacon’s death in 1873 through 1888.

Many of these did not bear any manufacturer markings, just names such as "Bang-up," "Little Giant," "Swamp Angel," and others. Both Flayderman and Pistols of the World (Hogg-Weeks, 3rd edition) identify the "Conqueror" pistols as one of the many spur trigger pistols made by the Bacon Arm Company, close to their closing in 1888.

The revolver is the typical Bacon Arms Co. style revolver with a "spur trigger" in .32 rimfire, fitted with a 5 shot cylinder and "birds head" grip. Designed for personal protection, the design was similar to many earlier designs, and modeled after the Smith & Wesson early rimfire revolvers. The serial number on this example is 2175, found on the frame under the grips, and on the inside of both grip scales. That makes this a very nice "ALL MATCHING" example, with no parts swapped out during its service life. Aside from the "CONQUEROR" on the top strap, the only other marking is a PAT. DEC. 10. 78. marking on the top of the barrel, which is in line with the minimal markings used on these revolvers.

The revolver cycles great, with good indexing and a firm cylinder lockup. We did not notice any of the usual finicky behavior seen on many old revolvers. The bore is in good condition, with clear lands and grooves and a partly bright finish, with areas of fouling. The grip scales are in great shape, with no major chipping or cracks. The cylinder arbor pin is easily removed for reloading the cylinder.

A very nice late 19th century rimfire pocket revolver by a well-known maker. Ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: c.1886
Caliber: .32cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 2 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 6 1/4 inches
Action: Single Action 
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

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