Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice .32cal Rimfire pocket revolver, made by the short-lived Bacon Arms Company of Norwich, Connecticut. It was originally fully nickel plated, however now that is probably only retained about 30%, with the rest now polished bright steel. It is fitted with a very nice set of walnut grips.

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.

The revolver is a typical late civil war era style revolver with a "spur trigger" in .32 rimfire, fitted with a 5 shot cylinder. Designed for personal protection, the design was similar to many others that would come later, and modeled after the Smith & Wesson early rimfire revolvers. The serial number on this example is 829, found on the frame under the grips, the rear of the cylinder, 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.

Condition is very good, though as mentioned before much of the original nickel plating has worn away, and the majority of the surface is polished steel. The original Bacon address marking is still visible on top of the barrel:

BACON ARMS CO. NORWICH CONN.

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 and pitting. The grip scales are in great shape, with no major chipping or cracks. The spring loaded ejector rod stores correctly under the barrel, easily removed by pushing it back and pivoting it out.

A very nice mid 19th century rimfire pocket revolver by a short-lived maker. Ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: c.1864-5
Caliber: .32cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 7/8 inches
Overall Length: 8 1/4 inches
Action: Single Action 
Feed System: 5 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.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.