{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-allen-wheelock-36cal-navy-center-hammer-percussion-revolver-serial-45-circa-1860","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Allen \u0026 Wheelock .36cal Navy Center Hammer Percussion Revolver Serial 45 - Circa 1860","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One of a Kind. This is a well-used and patinated example of the rare .36cal \"Navy\" version of the \"Center-Hammer\" Percussion Revolvers made by Ethan Allen and his brother-in-law Thomas Wheelock in Worcester, Mass. Allen was involved in a series of different partnerships, which makes the firearms relatively easy to place in time. Now completely worn away, the right side of the octagonal barrel would have originally had the following markings:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eALLEN \u0026amp; WHEELOCK. WORCESTER. MASS. US.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eALLEN’s PT’s JAN.13. DEC.15. 1857. SEPT.7.1858\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the \"ALLEN \u0026amp; WHEELOCK\" trade name was used from 1856 to 1865, this revolver definitely falls right into the civil war period, and most likely was in use during the period. The revolver is marked with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e45\u003c\/strong\u003e on the grip frame under the grips, on the lever, and on the inside both wood grip scales, making this a very early example. The firm had successfully introduced a large .44cal \"Army\" version of this revolver, however it is estimated that only around 500 of the Navy model were made. It unfortunately could not compete with the well established Colt 1851 Navy for a market share of Military Contracts. Of course, Colt's own model 1861 Navy wasn't able to compete with the 1851 either.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"Center-Hammer\" revolvers were an improvement of the earlier \"Side-Hammer\" guns, which had deficiencies with ease of loading, as well as frame strength. Moving the hammer to the center allowed for a stronger frame, which is what the U.S. Army Ordnance Dept was looking for. There were cartridge revolvers at the time, but the U.S. Army was conservative, and only wanted the trusted technology of percussion revolvers. The Center-Hammer did retain one key feature from the side hammer version: the unique combination trigger guard\/loading lever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the heavy wear to our example, it is still in partial working order and has a very pleasant patinated grey metal finish overall. The \"Navy\" models were available with several barrel lengths, and this is the standard 6\" barrel version. The cylinder rotates when the hammer is cocked, though it indexes poorly and the cylinder lock is extremely weak, as is the main spring. It still will dry fire, and the trigger guard loading rammer still works correctly, locking back into place when finished. The arbor pin looks to be a replacement, and we cannot currently remove it, and a washer has been added at the front of the cylinder to remove slop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is worn, but still actually does show rifling. The grips are original, but also quite worn, and the left grip scale is missing a good amount of wood, and has some glue repairs. This revolver was kept in service well after it normally would have been retired, hinting at possible use by Confederate forces, who were often stuck with weapons well past their service life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is only the second example of this type of gun that we've ever had, and these are desirable even in this well-used condition. Very unusual and ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1860-65\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .36cal\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Cap and Ball\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 6 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 11 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single Only\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 6 Shot Revolver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41886216978501,"sku":"ONSV23DCW152","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV23DCW152__01.jpg?v=1726797282","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-allen-wheelock-36cal-navy-center-hammer-percussion-revolver-serial-45-circa-1860","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}